The city's prior prosperity in the orchard industry, especially apples, was further strengthened by the rail connection.

Following the decline of the apple industry in the 1930s, Gentry shifted its economy towards poultry along with many other areas of Northwest Arkansas.

[4] Gentry began as a rural Ozark agricultural community named Orchard City.

A banquet was held for the grand opening, and railway officials arrived on a special train to commemorate the event.

It remains the main highway through the city, linking Gentry with other west Benton County communities.

[4] In 1946, the City Council voted to buy a water tank for $1,650 from the War Assets Corporation in Kentucky.

In 1948, the city held a special election to issue bonds to install larger water mains and additional fireplugs.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Gentry was expanding water lines into rural areas surrounding the community.

Using donations, local businesses built the first auditorium at the intersection of Main and Collins streets.

In the 1960s, when agriculture was no longer the economic base it had once been for the city and the railroad, the train depot was torn down.

To ease traffic through downtown, a new Arkansas Highway 12 bypass was built on the southern edge of town.

Gentry's largest employer is McKee Foods Corporation, maker of the famous Little Debbie and Sunbelt snacks.

McKee Foods celebrated 20 years of manufacturing in Gentry and dedicated a 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) expansion to the existing plant in 2002.

The company thrift store is located on the corner of Arkansas Highway 59 and Main Street.