1903:
The year the first mineshaft was drilled in Franklin Co.

Gallows?
Benton is the site of the last public hanging in the state of Illinois. Gangster Charlie Birger was hanged in 1928 for the murder of West City Mayor Joe Adams.

Rend Lake:
Named after Col. William P. Rend, who along with his three sons, owned the W.P. Rend Mine Company. Just south of the dam at Rend Lake is the site of the now vacated town of Rend City.

Memorial Day:
Civil War General John A. Logan was a resident of Benton from 1851 to 1861. While he lived in Benton he served as a prosecuting attorney. From that position Logan was elected to represent southern Illinois in Congress. Logan volunteered to serve the Union in the War Between the States. Following the civil war, General Logan was instrumental in the passage of General Order #11 which established the observance of Decoration Day.
Decoration Day was created to honor the memory of military personnel who died in the Civil War. The holiday now also honors those who died in any war while serving the United States.

Famous Faces:
John Malkovich, Doug Collins, Bo Derek, John A. Logan, Charlie Birger, Thomas Hart Benton, George Harrison, Louise Harrison, Brad Lohman, Revis.