When the Southern Pacific Railroad came through Arizona in 1880, the town of Benson was founded. The new town, at a somewhat different location from that of the earlier stage town (Ohensorgan Stage Station), was the rail shipping point for the booming new town of Tombstone to the south.
Present-day Benson is known as the Gateway to Cochise County and Home of Kartchner Caverns with easy access to much of Cochise County making it a great place to stay and play. If you're living in Benson or stopping for a visit you will find Benson offers a broad range of services and community facilities.
Although founded in 1880, Benson civilization began long before. The Spanish missionary, Father Eusibio Kino, established Catholic Missions in the late 1600s. For thousands of years, Native Americans made their home along the San Pedro River. Familiar names like Cochise, Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches, and Geronimo, an Apache freedom fighter, eluded the American army for many years and are very much a part of the history of the beautiful San Pedro Valley.
Benson is truly a unique place with so much diversity. For more on Benson's History be sure to stop by the Benson Historical Museum and the Benson Visitor Center.
