Editing Benson, Arizona

{{short description|City in Cochise County, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  -->
|name                     = Benson, Arizona
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = The Benson Visitor Center, a replica of the Benson railroad station.jpg
|image_caption            = Benson Visitor Center, replica of former Benson Southern Pacific Railroad Station (2024)
|image_flag               = Flag of Benson, Arizona.svg
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Cochise County Arizona Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Benson Highlighted 0405770.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise County]] and [[Arizona]]
|image_map1               = Detailed map of Benson, Arizona.png
|map_caption1             = Detailed map of Benson

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    =
|coordinates              = {{coord|31|57|20|N|110|18|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Arizona]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arizona|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1880
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        =
|named_for                =

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = [[Council-manager government|Council-manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              =
|leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name1             =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_04.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 107.97
|area_total_sq_mi         = 41.69
|area_land_km2            = 107.84
|area_land_sq_mi          = 41.64
|area_water_km2           = 0.13
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 4229

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Benson city, Arizona - Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Benson_city,_Arizona?g=160XX00US0405770 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 5355
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|MST]] (no [[daylight saving time]])
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             =
|utc_offset_DST           =
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 85602
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 520|520]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 04-05770
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2409835<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409835}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.bensonaz.gov/|bensonaz.gov}}
}}

'''Benson''' is a city in [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise County]], [[Arizona]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 5,355. It was founded as a rail terminal for the area, and is located approximately {{convert|45|mi}} east-southeast of the city of [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]].

==History==
The city was founded in 1880 when the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] came through. It was named after Judge William S. Benson, a friend of [[Charles Crocker]], president of the Southern Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Benson's History|url = http://www.bensonvisitorcenter.com/history.htm|website = www.bensonvisitorcenter.com|access-date = June 24, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160411143947/http://www.bensonvisitorcenter.com/history.htm|archive-date = April 11, 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> The railroad, coming overland from California, chose the Benson site to cross the [[San Pedro River (Arizona)|San Pedro River]].  Benson then served as a rail junction point to obtain ore and refined metal by wagon, in turn shipping rail freight back to the mines at [[Tombstone, Arizona|Tombstone]], [[Fairbank, Arizona|Fairbank]], [[Contention City, Arizona|Contention City]] and [[Bisbee, Arizona|Bisbee]]. For example, the railhead in Benson was about {{convert|25|mi}} from Tombstone, and was the closest rail connection to it until 1882, when a feeder line was laid from Benson to Contention City.

The railhead in Benson was founded about a mile from a traditional crossing of the upper San Pedro River (known also as the Middle Crossing), used by the [[Southern Emigrant Trail]] and [[San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line]].  It was the site of the San Pedro Station of the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] and a wagon depot, the San Pedro River Station, run since 1871 by William Ohnesorgen.  In 1878 he had erected a toll bridge over which mining supplies were transported to the new mining camps such as Fairbank and Tombstone. Two years later this bridge marked the location of the railroad bridge that became the terminal site of Benson.

[[Apache Nitrogen Products]] (originally Apache Powder Company) was formed in the 1920s. It was located just outside Benson and was a major employer. Apache Park and nine nearby houses on West 6th Street in Benson, built to house company management, were listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1994 as the [[Apache Powder Historic Residential District]].<ref name="ndoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=94000078}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Apache Powder Historic Residential District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=February 21, 2020}} With {{NRHP url|id=94000078|photos=y|title=accompanying pictures}}</ref>

The city today is perhaps best known as the gateway to [[Kartchner Caverns State Park]]. It is also home to the acclaimed Singing Wind Bookshop, which specializes in books about the Southwest.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Web Feature: A Bookstore at the End of the World|url = https://www.azpm.org/s/7262-web-feature-a-bookstore-at-the-end-of-the-world/|website = www.azpm.org|access-date = October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = World finds way to bookshop near Benson|url = http://archive.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/features/articles/1203bookstore1203.html|website = archive.azcentral.com|access-date = October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Singing Wind Bookshop |url = http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31170-d3936138-Reviews-Singing_Wind_Bookshop-Benson_Arizona.html|website = www.tripadvisor.com|access-date = October 9, 2015}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Benson has a total area of {{convert|107.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.1|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.12%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0405770| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212182253/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0405770| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Benson city, Arizona| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 11, 2014}}</ref>

===Climate===
Similar to other desert plains areas of Arizona, Benson receives little rainfall and is relatively hot. Some snow occasionally falls in the winter. There is a high degree of [[diurnal temperature variation]], especially in transitional months such as October.

{{Weather box
|location = Benson, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 85
|Feb record high F = 90
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 102
|May record high F = 108
|Jun record high F = 116
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 113
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 103
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 84

|Jan avg record high F = 75.4
|Feb avg record high F = 79.0
|Mar avg record high F = 85.6
|Apr avg record high F = 91.8
|May avg record high F = 99.2
|Jun avg record high F = 105.4
|Jul avg record high F = 105.6
|Aug avg record high F = 102.4
|Sep avg record high F = 99.2
|Oct avg record high F = 93.9
|Nov avg record high F = 83.1
|Dec avg record high F = 76.6
|year avg record high F = 107.0

|Jan high F = 64.7
|Feb high F = 68.0
|Mar high F = 74.4
|Apr high F = 81.4
|May high F = 89.7
|Jun high F = 99.0
|Jul high F = 97.5
|Aug high F = 95.2
|Sep high F = 92.0
|Oct high F = 84.2
|Nov high F = 73.3
|Dec high F = 64.4
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 45.9
|Feb mean F = 49.1
|Mar mean F = 54.8
|Apr mean F = 61.2
|May mean F = 69.2
|Jun mean F = 78.3
|Jul mean F = 81.7
|Aug mean F = 80.0
|Sep mean F = 75.1
|Oct mean F = 64.6
|Nov mean F = 53.5
|Dec mean F = 45.7
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 27.1
|Feb low F = 30.1
|Mar low F = 35.3
|Apr low F = 41.0
|May low F = 48.7
|Jun low F = 57.7
|Jul low F = 65.9
|Aug low F = 64.8
|Sep low F = 58.1
|Oct low F = 45.1
|Nov low F = 33.6
|Dec low F = 26.9
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 16.8
|Feb avg record low F = 19.4
|Mar avg record low F = 23.5
|Apr avg record low F = 29.9
|May avg record low F = 38.0
|Jun avg record low F = 47.1
|Jul avg record low F = 56.8
|Aug avg record low F = 58.1
|Sep avg record low F = 48.4
|Oct avg record low F = 31.9
|Nov avg record low F = 21.1
|Dec avg record low F = 16.3
|year avg record low F = 13.4

|Jan record low F = 5
|Feb record low F = 4
|Mar record low F = 10
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 22
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 42
|Sep record low F = 35
|Oct record low F = 15
|Nov record low F = 9
|Dec record low F = -7

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.80
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.63
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.57
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.19
|May precipitation inch = 0.17
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.29
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.65
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.79
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.64
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.65
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.51
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.88
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.8
|Feb precipitation days = 4.3
|Mar precipitation days = 2.8
|Apr precipitation days = 1.6
|May precipitation days = 1.6
|Jun precipitation days = 2.4
|Jul precipitation days = 10.2
|Aug precipitation days = 11.3
|Sep precipitation days = 5.3
|Oct precipitation days = 2.7
|Nov precipitation days = 2.7
|Dec precipitation days = 3.9

|Jan snow inch = 0.2
|Feb snow inch = 0.0
|Mar snow inch = 0.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.1
|Feb snow days = 0.0
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.1

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
|Mar snow depth inch = 
|Apr snow depth inch = 
|May snow depth inch = 
|Jun snow depth inch = 
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|Sep snow depth inch = 
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|year snow depth inch =

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00020683&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Benson 6SE, AZ
|access-date = October 27, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = October 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=twc
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Tucson
|access-date = October 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 348
|1910= 1035
|1920= 825
|1930= 925
|1940= 962
|1950= 1440
|1960= 2494
|1970= 2839
|1980= 4190
|1990= 3824
|2000= 4711
|2010= 5105
|2020= 5355
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
Benson first appeared on the 1890 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics of Population - Minor Civil Divisions - Arizona |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v1-07.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |page=60 |date=1890}}</ref> It did not appear on the 1900 census.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics of Population - Minor Civil Divisions - Arizona |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch05.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |page=64 |date=1900}}</ref> It reappeared again in 1910.<ref>{{cite web |title=Supplement for Arizona - Population, Agriculture, Manufactures, Mines and Quarries |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033935v1-8ch2.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1910}}</ref> It did not return separately (as a village) in 1920, but the population for the Benson Precinct of Cochise County (825) was substituted (which included the village of Benson and adjacent area).<ref>{{cite web |author1=Bureau of the Census Library |title=Fourteenth Census of the United States - State Compendium - Arizona |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/06229686v1-7ch02.pdf |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |date=1924}}</ref> It formally incorporated as a town in 1924 and has returned on every census since 1930.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arizona |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch03.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1930}}</ref> On March 26, 1985, voters approved a resolution upgrading Benson to city status.<ref>"Benson OKs City Status", March 28, 1985, Page 17, of the Arizona Republic: https://azcentral.newspapers.com/image/120138591/?terms=%22benson%22</ref>

[[File:Benson-Main Street.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Benson-Main Street]]
[[File:Benson sunset 2.jpg|thumb|Benson sunset]]

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 4,711 people, 2,084 households, and 1,346 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|131.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 2,822 housing units at an average density of {{convert|79.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% [[Race (United States Census)|White]] or [[European American]], 1.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 19.9% of the population.

There were 2,084 households, out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city, the population was 19.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,289, and the median income for a family was $36,364. Males had a median income of $34,013 versus $18,964 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,315. About 6.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:Hanks Coffee Shop sign, 4th Street, Benson, Arizona (LOC).jpg|thumb|Hank's Coffee Shop sign, 4th Street, Benson, 1979]]
[[The World University]] was located in Benson.

The [[Benson Unified School District]] is a K-12 public school serving the Benson area. Their mascot is the Benson Bobcat.

[[Cochise College]] has a branch located on Route 90.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[Benson Municipal Airport (Arizona)|Benson Airport]] is located {{convert|5|mi|0}} northwest of the city center.

[[Interstate 10 in Arizona|Interstate 10]] serves the city with four exits; the highway leads northwest {{convert|45|mi}} to [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]] and northeast {{convert|35|mi}} to [[Willcox, Arizona|Willcox]]. [[Arizona State Route 80]] leads southeast {{convert|24|mi}} to [[Tombstone, Arizona|Tombstone]], and [[Arizona State Route 90]] leads south {{convert|32|mi}} to [[Sierra Vista, Arizona|Sierra Vista]].

[[Amtrak]] provides passenger rail service at [[Benson (Amtrak station)|105 E. 4th Street]], where it serves as a stop for the ''Sunset Limited'' and ''Texas Eagle'' lines (as of 2024).<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2018 |title=Amtrak System Map |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/Maps/Amtrak-System-Map-1018.pdf |website=Amtrak}}</ref> Freight railroads serving Benson are the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] and the [[San Pedro and Southwestern Railroad]]. Benson is also served by [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] between Phoenix and El Paso or Sierra Vista.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/arizona/benson/bus-station-860068|title=Benson AZ Bus Station &#124; Greyhound|website=locations.greyhound.com}}</ref>

Benson Area Transit (BAT) is a bus service that covers Benson, [[St. David, Arizona|St. David]], [[Pomerene, Arizona|Pomerene]] and [[Mescal, Arizona|Mescal]].

==Notable people==
* [[Baxter Black]], cowboy, poet, philosopher and former large-animal veterinarian
* [[Lupe Diaz]], politician, [[Arizona House of Representatives]] (2021–present)
* [[Chad Curtis]], former professional baseball player convicted of sexual assault
* [[Nick Gomez (actor)|Nick Gomez]], actor
* [[Mitch Hoopes]], formed NFL punter
* [[Harry Partch]], composer, music theorist, and creator of musical instruments
* [[Nick Ramus]], actor
* [[Jack Speiden]], stockbroker and ranch owner
* [[Chuck Stevenson]], racecar driver

==In popular culture==
* This city was one of the filming locations for [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]'s 1994 film ''[[Pontiac Moon]]''.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* "Benson, Arizona" is the name of the theme song to the 1974 movie ''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]''. Dark Star Road in Benson is named in honor of the film.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newly constructed Dark Star Road now in use |url=https://www.myheraldreview.com/news/benson/newly-constructed-dark-star-road-now-in-use/article_4e7e1c55-ea04-5821-91bc-33a112008085.html |work=Herald/Review Media |date=May 18, 2011 |language=en}}</ref>
* In a tip of the hat to ''Dark Star'', the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] [[fictional crossover|crossover]] story ''[[Operation: Galactic Storm]]'' commences here.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* The [[Spiritual Conference for Radical Fairies]] was held August 31–2 September 2, 1979, at the Sri Ram [[Ashram]] in Benson, the foundational event that began the [[Radical Faeries]] community.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* ''[[Rage (1972 film)|Rage]]'', with [[George C. Scott]], was filmed at the then-new Benson Hospital.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* "Benson Hedges" by the American band [[Fun (band)|Fun]], references the lead singer and his existential crisis in Benson.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* This city was one of the filming locations for the 2005 film ''Miracle at Sage Creek''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=Benson,+Arizona,+USA|title=Filming Location Matching "Benson, Arizona, USA" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)|website=IMDb}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[San Pedro Valley Observatory]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Benson (Arizona)}}
{{Commons category|Benson, Arizona}}
* [https://www.bensonaz.gov/ City of Benson official website]

{{Cochise County, Arizona}}
{{Cochise County Conflict}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Benson, Arizona| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Arizona]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1880]]
[[Category:Cities in Cochise County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Cochise County conflict]]
[[Category:1880 establishments in Arizona Territory]]