Benton Map
The town of Benton is the parish seat of Bossier Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 2,035 at the 2000 census. The larger Bossier City is located south of Benton. The town maintains several historical buildings, including primitive cabins, a one-room schoolhouse museum, and the boyhood home of William Clark Hughes, a former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives in Benton Square located between the Bossier Parish School Board office and the First Baptist Church.
On April 3, 1999, a powerful F4-rated tornado roared through portions of the town killing six people and injuring 90. A mobile home park located south of town and homes near the Palmetto Country Club were devastated. Neighborhoods affected included Haymeadow Trailer Park, Palmetto Park/Palmetto Place (adjacent to Palmetto Country Club), Bay Hills, Woodlake South, Twin Lake Community, and many other newer lakefront homes located around Cypress Lake.
Benton is located at 32°41?41?N 93°44?26?W / 32.69472°N 93.74056°W / 32.69472; -93.74056 (32.694607, -93.740595).
Nearby cities include Gilliam, Blanchard, Bossier City, Shreveport, Mooringsport.