Benson was founded in 1880 when it became a rail juntion point for Southern Pacific trains overland from California. It is named for Judge William S. Benson, a friend of the president of the railroad. The rail junction enabled movement of ores and supplies for mining in the surrounding area. In the 1920's the Apache Powder Company (now Apache Nitrogen Products) was established just outside of Benson to provide explosives to the mining industry. It became the main employer for Benson. In 1974 a large cave system was discovered and in 1999 it was opened as Kartchner Caverns State Park. The park is named for the family who originally owned the land. The 2020 census shows Benson with approximately 5,300 people.
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Circa 1910 Benson Residence Street scene. Friedman occupation Postcard 25-4434. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
1911 Benson Arizona Southern Pacific RR Depot & Train. Postcard Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
Circa 1915 postcard of a train running along side 4th Street, in Benson. Postcard Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
Circa 1910 postcard of the Benson 6th Street public school. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
1906 postcard of the Benson Industrial School. In 1901, the Territorial Industrial School was established in Benson, Arizona to house delinquent juveniles up to the age of 21. After Arizona became a state, a newly funded school was relocated to Graham County. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
Circa 1910 postcard. The S.W. Smelting & Refining Company ran a small smelter in Benson between 1882 and 1885, and intermittently through 1914. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
Circa 1940 Benson street scene postcard. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
Circa 1940 Benson street scene postcard. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission
Circa 1940 postcard of the Benson hospital. Owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.
If you have questions, contributions, or problems with this site, email: Jean Walker
Coordinator - Jean Walker
State Coordinator: Norma Hass
Asst. State Coordinators: Shannon Lanning and Jean Walker
If you have questions or problems with this site, email the County Coordinator.
