Preserving Benton County's Heritage Since 1949
Explore records, photographs, and stories from the people and places that shaped our community.
Search Our DatabaseWelcome to the Benton County Historical Society & Museum
Preserving the stories, artifacts, and heritage of Benton County, Minnesota since 1949.
Upcoming Event
Stories Among the Stones: A Lantern Tour of the Benton County Cemetery — Part II
October 15, 2026 • 5:30 PM • Benton County Cemetery
Join us for Part II of our popular lantern tour of the Benton County Cemetery — uncovering stories of those who came before us, including victims of the 1886 Cyclone and early settlers. Post-tour social hour with refreshments and a viewing of our authentic 1880s funeral coach.
Sauk Rapids, Benton Co., Minn.
📅 Today in History
United States
• 1860 Abraham Lincoln (R-Ill-Rep) elected 16th President
• 1936 RCA displays TV for the press
Minnesota
• About 4,780 square miles of Minnesota are inland water.
• The giant beaver became Minnesota’s state fossil in 2025.
Benton County
• James Kitchens acted as clerk at Benton County’s first board meeting and was appointed Register of Deeds.
• Sauk Rapids was separately organized as a village in 1881.
📷 Picture of the Day
Click to view full size
Proud Community Partners
