History

On April 19, 1928 Benton was the site of the 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 Carpenter Birchard Wampler and his late son Birchard Neil Wampler. They remain standing today next to the old Jail turned Museum.

In September 1963, George Harrison of The Beatles visited Benton while on vacation. He stayed at the home of his sister, Louise, at 113 McCann Street. The bungalow is now the Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast. Harrison also performed with band 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 of 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."

 Residents of note

William L. Hungate, Missouri Congressman and Federal judge,

was born in Benton on Feb. 14, 1922.

Benton is also the hometown of actor John Malkovich. Benton is the hometown of NBA coach and player, and Olympic basketball player DougCollins.

Benton was the home of game show host Gene Rayburn.Benton is the hometown of Hollywood costume designer Brad Loman.

Benton is the hometown of Reathel Odum. Ms. Odum was Senator Harry Truman's secretary (1936-1945) and Bess Truman's personal secretary (1945-1953). She was a Truman family confidante and lived with the Truman's in the White House. Later, she traveled with Truman's daughter, Margaret.

Benton is the hometown of Georgia Tech's all-time scoring record holder Rich Yunkus with 2,232 points. Freshman were not allowed to play in his day and there was no 3 pt. shot.