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(Picture taken of Main Street facing north. The Livery Stable is the first building on the left, The I.O.O.F. hall is the 2nd two story brick building on the left. The blacksmith shop is on the right. It is unknown when this picture was taken.)
Some of the following informatin on the History of Benton, Kansas was written and provided by Mrs. Ralph (Lucille) Winegarner.
The City of Benton is located in Butler County's Benton Township, which was named after Thomas Benton Murdock. The first settlers arrived in the Benton area about 1870. In 1872 the Township was organized and had an assessed valuation of $20,296.00. The Missouri Pacific Railroad laid its rails through the area in 1883, and the town was platted that same year.
A Petition was made to the Butler County Commission to incorporate the City of Benton on January 6, 1909. The petition was granted and stated an election for mayor and 5 council members was to be held on January 26,1909 in the I.O.O.F. hall in the City of Benton. The Population when the city was incorporated was approximatley 240 people.
The first mayor elected was J.C. Henrie, Council members were J.B. Patton, A.L. Tear, S.E. Cory, L.C. Hill, and Clyde McGrew. The first City Clerk was Frank Janner. The first City treasurer was Clyde McGrew.
There have been only 6 city treasurers in the 99 years since the city was incorporated. Those being Clyde McGrew (1909 to 1931); Thekla McCune Wait (1931 to 1976); Kay Goerzen (1976 to 1995); Melody Teter (1995); Joyce Casady (1995); and Susan Griem (1995 to Present).
The City of Benton received its first electricity in 1915, the gas was turned on in 1916, City water was turned on in 1953, sewer service began in 1958, the City changed to dial telephones in 1959, and cable television was available in 1982.
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