Type a search term to find related articles by LIMS subject matter experts gathered from the most trusted and dynamic collaboration tools in the laboratory informatics industry.
Mansebastian (talk | contribs) --> Notable people : +1 Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
unlinked basketball Tag: Visual edit |
||
| (41 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{use mdy dates |date=September 2021}} |
{{use mdy dates |date=September 2021}} |
||
{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
||
| name |
| name = Benton |
||
| official_name |
| official_name = |
||
| native_name |
| native_name = |
||
| native_name_lang |
| native_name_lang = |
||
| other_name |
| other_name = |
||
| settlement_type |
| settlement_type = [[City (Illinois)|City]] |
||
| image_skyline |
| image_skyline = Franklin County Courthouse.jpg |
||
| imagesize |
| imagesize = 275 |
||
| image_caption |
| image_caption = [[Franklin County Courthouse (Illinois)|Franklin County Courthouse]] |
||
| image_flag |
| image_flag = |
||
| image_seal |
| image_seal = |
||
| etymology |
| etymology = |
||
| motto |
| motto = |
||
| anthem |
| anthem = |
||
| image_map |
| image_map = File:Franklin County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Benton Highlighted.svg |
||
| mapsize |
| mapsize = 250px |
||
| map_caption |
| map_caption = Location of Benton in Franklin County, Illinois. |
||
| image_map1 |
| image_map1 = Illinois in United States (US48).svg |
||
| mapsize1 |
| mapsize1 = |
||
| map_alt1 |
| map_alt1 = |
||
| map_caption1 |
| map_caption1 = Location of Illinois in the United States |
||
| pushpin_map |
| pushpin_map = |
||
| pushpin_label_position |
| pushpin_label_position = |
||
| pushpin_label |
| pushpin_label = |
||
| pushpin_map_alt |
| pushpin_map_alt = |
||
| pushpin_mapsize |
| pushpin_mapsize = |
||
| pushpin_relief |
| pushpin_relief = |
||
| pushpin_map_caption |
| pushpin_map_caption = |
||
| coordinates |
| coordinates = {{coord|38|0|15|N|88|54|58|W|display=inline,title}} |
||
| coor_pinpoint |
| coor_pinpoint = |
||
| coordinates_footnotes |
| coordinates_footnotes = |
||
| grid_name |
| grid_name = |
||
| grid_position |
| grid_position = |
||
| subdivision_type |
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |
||
| subdivision_name |
| subdivision_name = [[United States]] |
||
| subdivision_type1 |
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
||
| subdivision_name1 |
| subdivision_name1 = [[Illinois]] |
||
| subdivision_type2 |
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Illinois|County]] |
||
| subdivision_name2 |
| subdivision_name2 = [[Franklin County, Illinois|Franklin]] |
||
| subdivision_type3 |
| subdivision_type3 = |
||
| subdivision_name3 |
| subdivision_name3 = |
||
| subdivision_type4 |
| subdivision_type4 = |
||
| subdivision_name4 |
| subdivision_name4 = |
||
| established_title |
| established_title = |
||
| established_date |
| established_date = |
||
| established_title1 |
| established_title1 = |
||
| established_date1 |
| established_date1 = |
||
| established_title2 |
| established_title2 = |
||
| established_date2 |
| established_date2 = |
||
| established_title3 |
| established_title3 = |
||
| established_date3 |
| established_date3 = |
||
| established_title4 |
| established_title4 = |
||
| established_date4 |
| established_date4 = |
||
| established_title5 |
| established_title5 = |
||
| established_date5 |
| established_date5 = |
||
| established_title6 |
| established_title6 = |
||
| established_date6 |
| established_date6 = |
||
| established_title7 |
| established_title7 = |
||
| established_date7 |
| established_date7 = |
||
| extinct_title |
| extinct_title = |
||
| extinct_date |
| extinct_date = |
||
| founder |
| founder = |
||
| named_for |
| named_for = [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas Hart Benton]] |
||
| seat_type |
| seat_type = |
||
| seat |
| seat = |
||
| seat1_type |
| seat1_type = |
||
| seat1 |
| seat1 = |
||
| government_footnotes |
| government_footnotes = |
||
| government_type |
| government_type = [[Mayor-council government]] |
||
| governing_body |
| governing_body = |
||
| leader_party |
| leader_party = Independent |
||
| leader_title |
| leader_title = Mayor |
||
| leader_name |
| leader_name = Lee Messersmith |
||
| leader_title1 |
| leader_title1 = |
||
| leader_name1 |
| leader_name1 = |
||
| total_type |
| total_type = |
||
| unit_pref |
| unit_pref = Imperial |
||
| area_footnotes |
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref> |
||
| area_total_km2 |
| area_total_km2 = 14.66 |
||
| area_total_sq_mi |
| area_total_sq_mi = 5.66 |
||
| area_land_km2 |
| area_land_km2 = 14.19 |
||
| area_land_sq_mi |
| area_land_sq_mi = 5.48 |
||
| area_water_km2 |
| area_water_km2 = 0.46 |
||
| area_water_sq_mi |
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.18 |
||
| area_water_percent |
| area_water_percent = |
||
| area_metro_footnotes |
| area_metro_footnotes = |
||
| area_metro_km2 |
| area_metro_km2 = |
||
| area_metro_sq_mi |
| area_metro_sq_mi = |
||
| area_rank |
| area_rank = |
||
| elevation_footnotes |
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
||
| elevation_m |
| elevation_m = |
||
| elevation_ft |
| elevation_ft = 471 |
||
| population_as_of |
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] |
||
| population_footnotes |
| population_footnotes = |
||
| population_total |
| population_total = 6709 |
||
| pop_est_footnotes |
| pop_est_footnotes = |
||
| population_rank |
| population_rank = |
||
| population_density_km2 |
| population_density_km2 = 472.712 |
||
| population_density_sq_mi = 1224. |
| population_density_sq_mi = 1224.28 |
||
| population_metro_footnotes = |
| population_metro_footnotes = |
||
| population_metro |
| population_metro = |
||
| population_density_metro_km2 = |
| population_density_metro_km2 = |
||
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = |
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = |
||
| population_density |
| population_density = |
||
| population_density_rank |
| population_density_rank = |
||
| population_blank1_title |
| population_blank1_title = |
||
| population_blank1 |
| population_blank1 = |
||
| population_density_blank1_km2 = |
| population_density_blank1_km2 = |
||
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |
||
| population_blank2_title |
| population_blank2_title = |
||
| population_blank2 |
| population_blank2 = |
||
| population_density_blank2_km2 = |
| population_density_blank2_km2 = |
||
| population_density_blank2_sq_mi = |
| population_density_blank2_sq_mi = |
||
| population_demonym |
| population_demonym = |
||
| population_note |
| population_note = |
||
| demographics_type1 |
| demographics_type1 = |
||
| demographics1_footnotes |
| demographics1_footnotes = |
||
| demographics1_title1 |
| demographics1_title1 = |
||
| demographics1_info1 |
| demographics1_info1 = |
||
| demographics_type2 |
| demographics_type2 = |
||
| demographics2_footnotes |
| demographics2_footnotes = |
||
| demographics2_title1 |
| demographics2_title1 = |
||
| demographics2_info1 |
| demographics2_info1 = |
||
| timezone1 |
| timezone1 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]] |
||
| utc_offset1 |
| utc_offset1 = −6 |
||
| timezone1_DST |
| timezone1_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]] |
||
| utc_offset1_DST |
| utc_offset1_DST = −5 |
||
| timezone2 |
| timezone2 = |
||
| utc_offset2 |
| utc_offset2 = |
||
| timezone2_DST |
| timezone2_DST = |
||
| utc_offset2_DST |
| utc_offset2_DST = |
||
| postal_code_type |
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] |
||
| postal_code |
| postal_code = 62812 |
||
| postal2_code_type |
| postal2_code_type = |
||
| postal2_code |
| postal2_code = |
||
| area_code_type |
| area_code_type = |
||
| area_code |
| area_code = [[Area code 618|618]] |
||
| geocode |
| geocode = |
||
| iso_code |
| iso_code = |
||
| blank_name |
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]] |
||
| blank_info |
| blank_info = 17-05300 |
||
| blank1_name |
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
||
| blank1_info |
| blank1_info = 404187<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|404187}}</ref> |
||
| blank2_name |
| blank2_name = |
||
| blank2_info |
| blank2_info = |
||
| blank_name_sec2 |
| blank_name_sec2 = |
||
| blank_info_sec2 |
| blank_info_sec2 = |
||
| blank1_name_sec2 |
| blank1_name_sec2 = |
||
| blank1_info_sec2 |
| blank1_info_sec2 = |
||
| blank2_name_sec2 |
| blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons |
||
| blank2_info_sec2 |
| blank2_info_sec2 = |
||
| blank3_name = [[Public Transit]] |
|||
| website = {{URL|https://bentonil.com/}} |
|||
| |
| blank3_info = [[South Central Transit]] |
||
| |
| website = {{URL|https://bentonil.com/}} |
||
| |
| footnotes = |
||
| pop_est_as_of = |
|||
| population_est = |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Benton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Franklin County, Illinois]]. The population was 6,709 at the 2020 census.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> |
'''Benton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Franklin County, Illinois]]. The population was 6,709 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> In 1839, [[Franklin County, Illinois|Franklin County]] was split roughly in half and the county seat was permanently fixed "at a hill at the south end of Rowling's Prairie", the site of the future city of Benton. Benton's namesake is [[Missouri]] senator [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas Hart Benton]]. The village of Benton was organized in 1841 on {{convert|20|acre|ha}} of property donated by John Ewing and Walter S. Akin. In 1902, the village became a city, and incorporated under the [[Mayor-commission government|mayor/commissioner]] form of government.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Benton History {{!}} Welcome to the City of Benton |url=https://bentonil.com/?page_id=90 |access-date=2023-05-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | The [[Franklin County Courthouse (Illinois)|Franklin County Courthouse]] sat in the center of the Public Square. It was the fourth courthouse that served the people of Franklin County. The Italianate building was constructed in 1874–75 for $27,500. Much of Benton's growth in the past was due to an abundance of high sulfur coal, multiple railroads that pass through the town, fertile soil, and its industry.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
== History == |
== History == |
||
| ⚫ | On April 19, 1928, Benton was the site of the next-to-last public hanging in Illinois, when local gangster [[Charles Birger]] was executed on the gallows next to the county jail for the December 12, 1926 murder of Joe Adams, mayor of nearby [[West City, Illinois|West City]]. A replica of the gallows and hangman's noose were built by the late retired Old Ben Coal miner, businessman & carpenter, Birchard L. Wampler <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tbwilson.com/gpw/Home.html |title=Birchard L. Wampler |publisher=Tbwilson.com |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406152000/http://www.tbwilson.com/gpw/Home.html |archive-date=2012-04-06 }}</ref> (March 9, 1938 – June 29, 2010) and his son Birchard Neil Wampler. They remain standing today next to the old Franklin County Jail turned Museum. |
||
| ⚫ | In September 1963, [[George Harrison]] of [[The Beatles]] visited Benton while on vacation, the first time any member of the group visited American soil. He stayed at the home of his sister, Louise, at 113 McCann Street. The bungalow used to be the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast. During his trip he traveled from Benton to Fenton's Music Store in Mt. Vernon, IL to purchase a [[Rickenbacker 425]] that later sold at auction for $657k. Harrison also performed with a band called "The Four Vests" at the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]] hall in [[Eldorado, Illinois]]. In an interview, Harrison's sister Louise said "his real first visit to America was when he came to the Midwest in September 1963 and he met these wonderful, warm, friendly, real warm Midwesterners{{nbsp}}... school teachers, retired miners and all kinds of just wonderful people... and a little band. He had a fantastic time. He thought they were just wonderful people."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.classicbands.com/LouiseHarrisonInterview.html | title=Gary James' Interview with Louise Harrison part one | website=ClassicBands.com }}</ref> |
||
=== Founding === |
|||
Benton, the county seat of Franklin County, took its name from the prominent senator from [[Missouri]], [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas Hart Benton]] (1782-1858). The village of Benton was organized in 1841 on {{convert|20|acre|ha}} of property donated by John Ewing and Walter S. Akin. In 1902 the village became a city, and incorporated under the [[Mayor-commission government|mayor/commissioner]] form of government. |
|||
Franklin County was platted in 1818, the year Illinois became a state, at twice its current size. It included the territory that is now [[Williamson County, Illinois|Williamson County]]. In 1839 the county was split roughly in half and the county seat was permanently fixed "at a hill at the south end of Rowling's Prairie", the site of the future city of Benton. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Much of Benton's growth in the past can be traced to the abundance of high sulfur coal, the presence of multiple railroads, rich soil and the industry of its people. |
|||
=== Major Events === |
|||
| ⚫ | On April 19, 1928, Benton was the site of the next-to-last public hanging in Illinois, when local gangster [[Charles Birger]] was executed on the gallows next to the county jail for the December 12, 1926 murder of Joe Adams, mayor of nearby [[West City, Illinois]]. A replica of the gallows and hangman's noose were built by the late retired Old Ben Coal miner, businessman & carpenter, Birchard L. Wampler <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tbwilson.com/gpw/Home.html |title=Birchard L. Wampler |publisher=Tbwilson.com |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406152000/http://www.tbwilson.com/gpw/Home.html |archive-date=2012-04-06 }}</ref> (March 9, 1938 – June 29, 2010) and his son Birchard Neil Wampler. They remain standing today next to the old Franklin County Jail turned Museum. |
||
| ⚫ | In September 1963, [[George Harrison]] of [[The Beatles]] visited Benton while on vacation, the first time any member of the group visited American soil. He stayed at the home of his sister, Louise, at 113 McCann Street. The bungalow used to be the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast. During his trip he traveled from Benton to Fenton's Music Store in Mt. Vernon, IL to purchase a Rickenbacker 425 that later sold at auction for $657k. Harrison also performed with a band called "The Four Vests" at the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]] hall in [[Eldorado, Illinois]]. In an interview, Harrison's sister Louise said "his real first visit to America was when he came to the Midwest in September 1963 and he met these wonderful, warm, friendly, real warm Midwesterners... school teachers, retired miners and all kinds of just wonderful people... and a little band. He had a fantastic time. He thought they were just wonderful people."<ref>http://www.classicbands.com/LouiseHarrisonInterview.html</ref> |
||
In April 1995, a [[Ku Klux Klan |
In April 1995, a [[Ku Klux Klan]] (KKK) rally was held outside the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton that drew a crowd of about 400, though not all those in attendance were in support of the KKK. Two members of the KKK spoke negatively of Jews, Blacks, Gays, liberal politicians, and reporters. About 40 police officers were present for the event, and some were wearing riot gear.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nineteen Klan Members Stage Rally, Attract Crowd of 400|url=https://apnews.com/179912e5451348499086d7899f659394|access-date=2020-07-16|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> |
||
In August 2017, a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} commemorative mural of |
In August 2017, a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} commemorative mural of George Harrison was created and donated by California artist John Cerney. Cerney caught word of Harrison's memorable visit to the town on a Sirius radio program, which inspired Cerney's creation. The "highway art" can be found facing southbound traffic along [[Interstate 57]]. The project was completed just in time for tourists to admire it as they traveled through the city for the [[Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017|total solar eclipse of 2017]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Harrison Commemorative Mural |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/george-harrison-commemorative-mural |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} |
||
In June 2020, following the [[murder of George Floyd]], a Black Lives Matter protest was held at the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton. At the time of the protest, the courthouse was being prepared for demolition. The protest attracted a crowd of about 60 people. The protest came 25 years after the KKK rally (mentioned above) was held in the same spot.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Molly|title=In wake of Floyd death, rural, white Southern Illinois towns are reckoning with racist past|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/local/in-wake-of-floyd-death-rural-white-southern-illinois-towns-are-reckoning-with-racist-past/article_dce170eb-962b-534f-955c-e1e38e50ac94.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=The Southern|language=en}}</ref> |
In June 2020, following the [[murder of George Floyd]], a Black Lives Matter protest was held at the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton. At the time of the protest, the courthouse was being prepared for demolition. The protest attracted a crowd of about 60 people. The protest came 25 years after the KKK rally (mentioned above) was held in the same spot.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Molly|title=In wake of Floyd death, rural, white Southern Illinois towns are reckoning with racist past|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/local/in-wake-of-floyd-death-rural-white-southern-illinois-towns-are-reckoning-with-racist-past/article_dce170eb-962b-534f-955c-e1e38e50ac94.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=The Southern|language=en}}</ref> |
||
| Line 185: | Line 178: | ||
=== Land and water area === |
=== Land and water area === |
||
According to the 2010 census, Benton has a total area of {{convert|5.66|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 96. |
According to the 2010 census, Benton has a total area of {{convert|5.66|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 96.81%) is land and {{convert|0.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 3.18%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web |
||
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1705300 |
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1705300 |
||
|title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |
|title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |
||
| Line 195: | Line 188: | ||
}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
||
=== |
===Benton Public Library=== |
||
{{Main|Benton Public Library}} |
{{Main|Benton Public Library}} |
||
Benton Public Library serves all residents of Benton High School District. |
Benton Public Library serves all residents of Benton High School District. |
||
[http://www.benton.lib.il.us www.benton.lib.il.us] |
[http://www.benton.lib.il.us www.benton.lib.il.us] |
||
The library has a program in which people can pay for brick to be engraved and used on its property, and the funds made go to the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DONATE TO THE LIBRARY {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/donate-to-the-library/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref> |
The library has a program in which people can pay for brick to be engraved and used on its property, and the funds made go to the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DONATE TO THE LIBRARY {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/donate-to-the-library/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
The library contains about 48,000 materials, including Books, Audio books, Magazines, Large Print Materials, and Music CDs. Access to computers is also available at the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABOUT US {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/about-us/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref> |
The library contains about 48,000 materials, including Books, Audio books, Magazines, Large Print Materials, and Music CDs. Access to computers is also available at the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABOUT US {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/about-us/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref> It opened a reading garden behind the building which contains painted chairs made by the local high school and other donated play equipment, including a large handmade wooden ship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=READING GARDEN {{!}} Benton Public Library |url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/welcome-to-the-reading-garden/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.bentonlibrary.com}}</ref> |
||
=== |
===Benton Public Park=== |
||
The Benton Public Park has a few |
The Benton Public Park has a few playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, and ball fields. The Public Park also has a paved walking path that loops around the ball fields. The park is located near a railroad, and a red caboose sits at the entrance of the park. <ref>{{Cite web|last=IL 62812|first=600 South DuQuoin St Benton|title=Benton Community Park|url=https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/benton-community-park|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Enjoy Illinois|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
==Media== |
==Media== |
||
=== |
===Newspapers=== |
||
Benton and surrounding areas are served by two weekly local newspapers, ''[[The Benton Evening News|The Benton News]]'' and ''The Benton Gazette''. |
Benton and surrounding areas are served by two weekly local newspapers, ''[[The Benton Evening News|The Benton News]]'' and ''The Benton Gazette''. Other newspapers such as ''[[The Southern Illinoisan]]'' serve Benton and much wider areas surrounding it. |
||
=== |
===Television news=== |
||
Benton does not have any news channels broadcast from the city. |
Benton does not have any news channels broadcast from the city. Many news channels still do serve the Benton, Illinois area. [[WSIL-TV|WSIL]] (channel 3), [[KFVS-TV|KFVS]] (channel 12), and Fox 23 (channel 23) are among the most popular channels that provide some local news for Benton.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benton IL TV Stations and Channel Guide - ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX Digital|url=http://www.americantowns.com/benton-il/tv-stations/|access-date=2020-12-23|website=www.americantowns.com|language=en}}</ref> |
||
=== |
===Internet access=== |
||
Benton has multiple [[ |
Benton has multiple [[internet service provider]]s that provide [[Broadband|broadband internet]]. There are seven total internet service providers available for residential usage. Six of the internet service providers can offer broadband speeds (download of 25 Mbit/s). Six offer speeds higher than 100 Mbit/s. The fastest internet service available is offered by [[Frontier Communications|Frontier]] at 5 Gbit/s (5000 Mbit/s). Five connection types are offered: DSL, cable, fixed wireless, satellite, and [[Fiber-optic communication|fiber-optic]] internet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top 17 Internet Providers in Benton, IL|url=https://www.highspeedinternet.com/il/benton|access-date=2024-03-17|website=HighSpeedInternet.com|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
===[[Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake]]=== |
|||
Benton was the location of the 2023 season of [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]'s [[Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake]], in which [[Luann de Lesseps]] and [[Sonja Morgan]] spend five weeks in Benton, sprucing up the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/luann-and-sonja-welcome-to-crappie-lake-trailer-premiere-date|title=Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan Are Back! Get a First Look at Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake|website=[[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]|first=Allison|last=Crist|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref> |
|||
==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
||
| Line 238: | Line 234: | ||
|2020= 6709 |
|2020= 6709 |
||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | }}As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1705300 |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> there were 6,709 people, 2,835 households, and 1,575 families residing in the city. The population density was {{Convert|1,185.55|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 3,360 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|593.74|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.52% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.33% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.54% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.00% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.78% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.19% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.59% of the population. |
||
}} |
|||
| ⚫ | As of the [[census]]<ref |
||
| ⚫ | There were 2,835 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.79% were married couples living together, 11.68% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.44% were non-families. 37.46% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.08% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 2.34. |
||
| ⚫ | There were 2, |
||
| ⚫ | The city's age distribution consisted of 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The median income for a household in the city was $44,795, and the median income for a family was $57,305. Males had a median income of $40,025 versus $32,923 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $27,932. About 10.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over. |
||
| ⚫ | The |
||
== |
==Notable people== |
||
<!-- Note: |
<!-- Note: |
||
· |
·Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. |
||
· |
·The article must mention how they are associated with Benton, whether born, raised, or residing. |
||
· |
·The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. |
||
· |
·Alphabetical by last name please. |
||
· |
·All others will be deleted. --> |
||
* |
*[[Charlie Birger]], bootlegger during prohibition, hanged on 19 April 1928 at the Franklin County Jail in Benton |
||
* |
*[[Lin Bolen]], former vice president of [[NBC]] |
||
* |
*[[Carl Choisser]], Illinois state representative, lawyer, and newspaper editor |
||
* |
*[[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]], NBA coach, player, broadcaster, and Olympic basketball player |
||
* |
*[[William A. Denning]], Illinois Supreme Court justice and state legislator |
||
* |
*[[Gary Forby]], Illinois State senator |
||
* |
*[[Billy Grammer]], Grand Ole Opry star |
||
* |
*[[Richard O. Hart]], Illinois state representative and lawyer |
||
* |
*[[William L. Hungate]], federal judge and congressman from [[Missouri]] |
||
* |
*[[John Malkovich]], actor |
||
* |
*[[Shirley Marsh]], Nebraska state senator |
||
* |
*[[Rodney K. Miller]], television host for ''[[Small Town Big Deal]]'' |
||
* |
*[[Offa Neal]], third baseman for the [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] |
||
* |
*[[Ernest J. Odum]], Illinois state representative and lawyer |
||
* |
*[[Carl Scarborough]], race car driver, born in Benton |
||
* |
*[[Noble Threewitt]], thoroughbred race horse trainer, born in Benton in 1911 |
||
* |
*[[Herbert L. Upchurch]], Illinois state legislator and educator |
||
* |
*[[Rich Yunkus]], former basketball player |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
| Line 291: | Line 286: | ||
[[Category:Populated places established in 1841]] |
[[Category:Populated places established in 1841]] |
||
[[Category:1841 establishments in Illinois]] |
[[Category:1841 establishments in Illinois]] |
||
[[Category:Sundown towns in Illinois]] |
|||
Benton | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location of Benton in Franklin County, Illinois. | |
 Location of Illinois in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 38°0′15″N 88°54′58″W / 38.00417°N 88.91611°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Franklin |
| Named for | Thomas Hart Benton |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council government |
| • Mayor | Lee Messersmith (Ind.) |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.66 sq mi (14.66 km2) |
| • Land | 5.48 sq mi (14.19 km2) |
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2) |
| Elevation | 471 ft (144 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,709 |
| • Density | 1,224.28/sq mi (472.712/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 62812 |
| Area code | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-05300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 404187[2] |
| Public Transit | South Central Transit |
| Website | bentonil |
Benton is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Illinois. The population was 6,709 at the 2020 census.[3] In 1839, Franklin County was split roughly in half and the county seat was permanently fixed "at a hill at the south end of Rowling's Prairie", the site of the future city of Benton. Benton's namesake is Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton. The village of Benton was organized in 1841 on 20 acres (8.1 ha) of property donated by John Ewing and Walter S. Akin. In 1902, the village became a city, and incorporated under the mayor/commissioner form of government.[4]
The Franklin County Courthouse sat in the center of the Public Square. It was the fourth courthouse that served the people of Franklin County. The Italianate building was constructed in 1874–75 for $27,500. Much of Benton's growth in the past was due to an abundance of high sulfur coal, multiple railroads that pass through the town, fertile soil, and its industry.[4]
On April 19, 1928, Benton was the site of the next-to-last public hanging in Illinois, when local gangster Charles Birger was executed on the gallows next to the county jail for the December 12, 1926 murder of Joe Adams, mayor of nearby West City. A replica of the gallows and hangman's noose were built by the late retired Old Ben Coal miner, businessman & carpenter, Birchard L. Wampler [5] (March 9, 1938 – June 29, 2010) and his son Birchard Neil Wampler. They remain standing today next to the old Franklin County Jail turned Museum.
In September 1963, George Harrison of The Beatles visited Benton while on vacation, the first time any member of the group visited American soil. He stayed at the home of his sister, Louise, at 113 McCann Street. The bungalow used to be the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast. During his trip he traveled from Benton to Fenton's Music Store in Mt. Vernon, IL to purchase a Rickenbacker 425 that later sold at auction for $657k. Harrison also performed with a band called "The Four Vests" at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Eldorado, Illinois. In an interview, Harrison's sister Louise said "his real first visit to America was when he came to the Midwest in September 1963 and he met these wonderful, warm, friendly, real warm Midwesterners ... school teachers, retired miners and all kinds of just wonderful people... and a little band. He had a fantastic time. He thought they were just wonderful people."[6]
In April 1995, a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) rally was held outside the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton that drew a crowd of about 400, though not all those in attendance were in support of the KKK. Two members of the KKK spoke negatively of Jews, Blacks, Gays, liberal politicians, and reporters. About 40 police officers were present for the event, and some were wearing riot gear.[7]
In August 2017, a 16-foot-tall (4.9 m) commemorative mural of George Harrison was created and donated by California artist John Cerney. Cerney caught word of Harrison's memorable visit to the town on a Sirius radio program, which inspired Cerney's creation. The "highway art" can be found facing southbound traffic along Interstate 57. The project was completed just in time for tourists to admire it as they traveled through the city for the total solar eclipse of 2017.[8][citation needed]
In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, a Black Lives Matter protest was held at the Franklin County Courthouse in Benton. At the time of the protest, the courthouse was being prepared for demolition. The protest attracted a crowd of about 60 people. The protest came 25 years after the KKK rally (mentioned above) was held in the same spot.[9]
According to the 2010 census, Benton has a total area of 5.66 square miles (14.66 km2), of which 5.48 square miles (14.19 km2) (or 96.81%) is land and 0.18 square miles (0.47 km2) (or 3.18%) is water.[10]
Benton Public Library serves all residents of Benton High School District. www.benton.lib.il.us
The library has a program in which people can pay for brick to be engraved and used on its property, and the funds made go to the library.[11]
The library contains about 48,000 materials, including Books, Audio books, Magazines, Large Print Materials, and Music CDs. Access to computers is also available at the library.[12] It opened a reading garden behind the building which contains painted chairs made by the local high school and other donated play equipment, including a large handmade wooden ship.[13]
The Benton Public Park has a few playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, and ball fields. The Public Park also has a paved walking path that loops around the ball fields. The park is located near a railroad, and a red caboose sits at the entrance of the park. [14]
Benton and surrounding areas are served by two weekly local newspapers, The Benton News and The Benton Gazette. Other newspapers such as The Southern Illinoisan serve Benton and much wider areas surrounding it.
Benton does not have any news channels broadcast from the city. Many news channels still do serve the Benton, Illinois area. WSIL (channel 3), KFVS (channel 12), and Fox 23 (channel 23) are among the most popular channels that provide some local news for Benton.[15]
Benton has multiple internet service providers that provide broadband internet. There are seven total internet service providers available for residential usage. Six of the internet service providers can offer broadband speeds (download of 25 Mbit/s). Six offer speeds higher than 100 Mbit/s. The fastest internet service available is offered by Frontier at 5 Gbit/s (5000 Mbit/s). Five connection types are offered: DSL, cable, fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber-optic internet.[16]
Benton was the location of the 2023 season of Bravo's Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, in which Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan spend five weeks in Benton, sprucing up the town.[17]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 380 | — | |
| 1870 | 615 | 61.8% | |
| 1880 | 984 | 60.0% | |
| 1890 | 939 | −4.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,341 | 42.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,675 | 99.5% | |
| 1920 | 7,201 | 169.2% | |
| 1930 | 8,219 | 14.1% | |
| 1940 | 7,372 | −10.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,848 | 6.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,023 | −10.5% | |
| 1970 | 6,833 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 7,778 | 13.8% | |
| 1990 | 7,216 | −7.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,880 | −4.7% | |
| 2010 | 7,087 | 3.0% | |
| 2020 | 6,709 | −5.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] | |||
As of the 2020 census[19] there were 6,709 people, 2,835 households, and 1,575 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,185.55 inhabitants per square mile (457.74/km2). There were 3,360 housing units at an average density of 593.74 per square mile (229.24/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.65% White, 0.52% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 5.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.
There were 2,835 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.79% were married couples living together, 11.68% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.44% were non-families. 37.46% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.08% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 2.34.
The city's age distribution consisted of 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,795, and the median income for a family was $57,305. Males had a median income of $40,025 versus $32,923 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,932. About 10.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Illinois, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| Counties |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-sized cities (25,000+) | ||
| Small cities (10,000-25,000) | ||
| Small cities (5,000-10,000) | ||
| Transit systems | ||
| Amtrak stations | ||
| Interstates | ||
| Airports/military bases |
| |
| Universities | ||
| Colleges | ||
| Sports teams based in Southern Illinois | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
LIMS forum content by LIMS forum members is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.limsforum.com.
