Benson

History

The town of Benson, which derives its name from early settler Alfred Monroe ("Mim") Benson, owes much of its historical development to the railroad line which passed through the present location in town in 1886 on its route between Fayetteville and Contentnea. More information on the history of Benson and the surrounding communities may be found at the new Benson Museum of Local History located at 102 W. Main Street, next to the Mary Duncan Library. Mr. Benson's purchase of a tract along the Smithfield-Fayetteville Road in 1874 initiated the settlement of the area now known as Benson. During the 1880s Benson sold portions of his original tract to incoming settlers, many of whom were farmers. Benson was incorporated in 1887 and soon attracted a number of entrepreneurs wishing to take advantage of this new town along an important transportation route. A prominent early resident of the Benson area was John William Wood Sr. (December 28, 1855 - October 31, 1928) who rode to Benson each morning on a mule and wagon from his home at Peacocks Crossroads near Meadow. After having served on the Board of Education and as a county commissioner, where he was known to be a watchdog of the treasury, he was elected to a term in the State House of Representatives in 1927. Meadow School was built on land donated by him. The Benson Historic District and Hannah's Creek Primitive Baptist Church are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Benson is home to Alpha Company 230th BSB, who were deployed in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The mayor Jerry Medlin died on at the age of 87 after revealing that he had cancer.

Geography

Benson is in southeastern Johnston County, less than from the Harnett County line. U.S. Route 301 (Wall Street) passes through the center of the town, leading northeast to Smithfield, the Johnston county seat, and southwest to Dunn. North Carolina Highway 50 is Benson's Main Street, crossing US 301 in the center of town and leading north to Garner and southeast to Newton Grove. Interstate 95 passes through the southeastern side of Benson and runs parallel to US 301, connecting Fayetteville and Rocky Mount, while Interstate 40 passes northeast of the town and runs parallel to NC 50, leading to Raleigh and Wilmington. According to the United States Census Bureau, Benson has a total area of , of which , or 0.16%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,529
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  1,284
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,282
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  1,246
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,141
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  986
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  965
• Eastern Bluebird

  Sialia sialis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  944

Largest nearby schools

• West Johnston High
  High · Benson · 1,469 students · 18.8:1 ratio
• South Johnston High
  High · Four Oaks · 1,331 students · 17.5:1 ratio
• Four Oaks Elementary
  Elementary · Four Oaks · 1,041 students · 14.9:1 ratio
• McGee's Crossroads Elem
  Elementary · Angier · 890 students · 16.8:1 ratio
• McGee's Crossroads Middle
  Middle · Benson · 749 students · 18.7:1 ratio
• Meadow School
  Elementary · Benson · 609 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Benson Elementary
  Elementary · Benson · 608 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• Benson Middle
  Middle · Benson · 511 students · 16.5:1 ratio