What if a name could shape a place? Here in Benton Township, the spirit of a Missouri senator echoes across the Minnesota plains. Benton Township, Carver County, was established in 1858. It was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a prominent U.S. Senator from Missouri. Imagine him, a man of fiery speeches and strong convictions, lending his name to this tranquil landscape. Now picture this rural township. In the year 2000, its population stood at 939 souls. Benton Township encompasses a total area of 34.9 square miles. Of this area, 34 square miles are land, while 0.9 square miles are covered by the glistening waters of lakes like Bachman, Barlous, Hoefkin, Maria, Meuwissen, Myers, Rice, and Winkler. The city of Cologne resides geographically within Benton Township’s boundaries, yet maintains its separate identity. Five cemeteries—Cologne United Methodist, Saint Bernard, Saint John’s United Church of Christ, Snapsburg, and Zion Lutheran Church—dot the landscape, marking the passage of time. Benton Township is a place of quiet beauty, where the past whispers through the wind.
The Afrocentric Spectrum Mural
What whispers do the walls of a city hold? The Afrocentric Spectrum Mural, here on University Avenue, speaks volumes about