Benton was named in 1838 for Thomas Benton, a popular senator from Missouri. The community grew in the late 1800s, coinciding with the growth of the lumber and tanning industries in the area. Today, Benton features 19-acre Benton Town Park, a popular summer attraction. An annual bluegrass festival and rodeo draws people from all over the state.
Benton is located in Columbia County southwest of Wilkes-Barre along Highway 239 near the Susquehanna River.
