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Benton Centennial
1887 - Benton, Iowa - 1987
History of the Great Western Railroad
Benton Depot & No. 1 Train
The Chicago Great Western Railroad was built in 1887 and was running diagonally across the western part of the county. Three
new towns were established along the route. They were Knowlton, Benton and Maloy. Benton and Maloy did not have such auspicious
beginnings as Knowlton, but they were more fortunate in their locations since neither town faced a competitive struggle with
nearby villages. The town of Benton was originally located in two townships. Its main street followed the dividing line
between Benton and Rice townships. When the town was a little more than 30 years old the county supervisors made a new
township out of the large independent district which the school board had organized and that township was named
Waubonsie. The town of Benton was platted in 1889 on part of the Samuel IRVIN'S farm.
Destruction
Destrucion at the train derailment near Benton Sunday included rows of rail cars which tipped on their sides, and bent
rail and strewn undercarriages. Crews were at work Sunday
SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. Pp. 119-20.
Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr IA
Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012
Return to Benton Centennial Index Page
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Please include the word "Ringgold" in the subject line. Thank you.
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