In the early 1800s, land in Benton County was opened for settlers.
Although the county began as a small farming community, it has grown
and flourished since. With the Tennessee River extending along the entire
eastern side of the county, and the Big Sandy River covering a section of the
northwest side, Benton County has drawn settlers for generations. Music is
very important to the people who live here, and various music festivals are
held throughout the year to celebrate this popular cultural pastime. Ryan
Holladay, a local Benton County musician, played banjo on the Grand Ole
Opry at the age of five, becoming the youngest musician to perform there.
In 1963, Benton County made headlines when famous country singer Patsy
Cline was lost in a tragic plane crash in the area. While music is a large part
of the culture, the county also features many outdoor activities, such as duck
hunting, fishing, and camping. Today, Benton County continues to be a
close-knit community that is very proud of its history.
This volume, containing over 200 photographs, shares the unique history
of the small-town settlers in Benton County. This rich collection will appeal
to both longtime residents and newcomers. Jean Gilley, along with the other
members of the Benton County Genealogical Society, has worked diligently
to put together this collection of photos and history. The BCGS has
published two other history books.