Date:  December 1, 2023  |   Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton  |   Photography: Bailey Dougan  |  

Pieces of Saline County history stand tall as reminders of this town’s pioneer beginnings 

Even with its quaint gabled roofline, Victorian trim, and multicolored stone facade, Dr. Dewell Gann’s former office at 218 S. Market St. in Benton is an unassuming little structure. However, there’s something that makes it unique: It’s the only known building in existence constructed out of bauxite. And it holds a lot of history inside.

Originally built in 1893, the property was gifted by Gann’s son to the city of Benton in the 1940s to use as its library. Now, it serves as the Gann Museum of Saline County, showcasing exhibits about the area’s history from its Native American beginnings and booming aluminum industry to information about the popular Niloak pottery. Earlier this year, the Saline County Library assumed ownership of the museum, bringing its story full circle for long-time residents. “A lot of people love this place because for many of them, this was their first library,” says special collections assistant Cody Berry, who is a multi-generation Benton native himself. Recently, Cody has been digitizing the museum’s collection for the library’s website, making it more accessible to those curious about Benton’s
early days.

Throughout Benton, other reminders of Saline County’s past abound. For example, just a half a mile from the Gann Museum is the Shoppach House, the oldest surviving brick structure in the county. It was built in 1853 by John W. Shoppach, a German immigrant who constructed the house out of bricks formed and fired on site. “He didn’t build a wood frame house and then put a brick veneer on it,” says Harold Pelton, a descendent of Shoppach’s wife, Sibby Pelton. “He built the brick house three bricks thick, then he went in and added wood. That’s why it’s still standing.” Harold is also a member of the Saline County Art League, the organization charged with preserving the home. “I think it’s really important; it’s part of your history,” he says of the community’s efforts to maintain its historic buildings. “If you don’t know your history of where you came from, you don’t really know where you’re going.”

All around these landmarks and others, the city continues to move steadily into the future. “We’re growing big-time,” Cody says, pointing to a certain football rivalry between Benton and Bryant high schools as evidence. “The Salt Bowl is a good way to see how things have changed. In my parents’ day, those two schools played each other at their own fields. Now, they have to do it in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium, and over 30,000 people come every year.” That crowd also likes to shop and dine, meaning there’s no shortage of local restaurants and boutiques to support in town. Many of these new businesses take up residence in buildings that have been around for a century or more; for example, the popular Baja Grill is in the Palace Theater building, one of the area’s first theaters built in 1919. At Loblolly Creamery just off the downtown square, hand-painted signage for a “Family Shoe Store” pays homage to the 1950s store that came long before.

As Benton continues to thrive, both Cody and Harold are looking for more ways to increase awareness about their respective resources. On December 2, the Gann Museum will celebrate its 130th anniversary and grand reopening, as it has been closed since the spring due to complications from a lightning strike next door. The Shoppach House is available for tours only during open houses or by appointment, and the Saline County Art League aims to create consistent open hours so more people can visit this relic. “We still have people come by and say, I’ve lived here all my life, and I never knew the house was even here,” Harold says. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but we’re trying to bite it a little bit at a time.” Read on for more of our favorite ways to discover Benton. 

The Shoppach House

The Gann Museum

The Gann House, a beautiful Queen Anne-style home that is still a private residence located next door to the Gann Museum.

Racks of on-trend clothing at True Boutique. 

Blue Heaven is a popular dining destination in Benton. 

The entrance to the courtyard at Blue Heaven.

DINE
Located just off Interstate 30, Blue Heaven (blueheavenbenton.com) bills its menu as a “fresh take on Southern,” serving up favorites such as surf and turf and pasta alongside a mouthwatering set of house cocktails. Downtown, The Taco Society (eatbajagrill.com) boasts four dining concepts drawing people from near and far: Baja Grill, which serves a creative take on tacos, nachos, burritos and more; Rober, a more upscale, intimate dining and cocktail lounge; Revival, the group’s newest restaurant with pizza, burgers, and snacks on the menu; and Valkyrie, an axe-throwing venue that shares a menu with Revival, located downstairs.

A cocktail at Rober.

An eye-catching vignette at Rober.

VISIT
Play iconic courses without leaving central Arkansas when you visit Swing Shop (swingshopgolf.com), which offers top-of-the-line Trackman golf simulators in open and private bays. For frequent visitors, memberships are available. Sponsored by Everett Buick GMC, the city’s ice skating rink at the Downtown Benton Farmers Market pavilion is open from December 1-31 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Contact the City of Benton Parks & Recreation (bentonar.org) for hours and more information. To get into the holiday spirit, snag tickets to A Christmas Carol: The Musical at the historic Royal Theatre (theroyaltheatre.org). Also sponsored by Everett, the show runs December 1-11.

Swing Shop, Benton’s new golf simulator attraction. 

Swing Shop offers refreshments at the bar.