Benton County

Benton county came from Klickitat County and Yakima County. It was named after Thomas Hart Benton, who was a Missouri statesman. The county seat is Prosser which has plenty of government projects and offices.

History of Benton County

In 1905, Benton County was established by an act of Congress. The county was formed from Klickitat County and Yakima County.

The first county seat was in a different location. However, this location did not have enough people to support a courthouse. So, the county commissioners moved the county seat to Fairfield.

Early settlers were the Nez Perce Indians, the Hudson Bay Company, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. There were also many German immigrants.

They practiced agriculture and ranching, and wheat farming became popular. Later on, dairy farms became more common.

There was also some timber production with many logging industries coming up. Today, the county produces wheat, hay, cattle, sheep, poultry, eggs, milk, wool, lumber, and wood products.

Public Records

The county government has systems in place to ensure citizens access their information. Here is how it works:

You can request your birth certificate online. If you need to get a copy of your marriage license, contact the clerk’s office.

If you are looking for information about an inmate or offender, the public records at the sheriff’s department offer you all the info you need. You can find out where the person is located when they will be released, and much more. A lot of information is available online.

The county website provides you with a list of the elected officials. You can also look up the phone numbers for each department.

Public records are free to access; however, you must follow the rules set by the state. You cannot access personal financial information, social security numbers, medical records, etc.

County Map

The map is key because it shows the boundaries of Benton County.

County lines are important because they show the boundary between two counties. These lines are used to determine property tax rates, road maintenance costs, and other issues.

County roads are the main arteries through the county. They connect cities, towns, and villages. Most of them are paved and maintained by the county.

County Maps are available online or through Google Maps, where you can access them on your device anytime.

County Cities and Towns

Cities and towns are key parts of any county. They provide services like schools, fire departments, police stations, post offices, libraries, courthouses, parks, hospitals, and more.

Some of the cities and towns in Benton County are as follows;

Benton City- Located in the northwest corner of the county. The city is home to the county courthouse.

Kennewick- Located near the Columbia River. The city is home to the Benton County Jail.

Richland- Home to the Benton County Fairgrounds.

Prosser- This is the county seat and home to the Benton County Library.

West Richland- This is the location of the Benton County Airport.

Finley- Finley city is located just south of Kennewick.

Places to Visit in Benton County

There are many places to visit in the county. Here are some of them:

Columbia Park- Located in West Richland, the park has a playground, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball court, and more.

Horseshoe Bend State Park- Located just north of Prosser, the park has camping sites, hiking trails, fishing, swimming, boating, and more.

Meadow Creek Wildlife Area- Located just east of Benton City, the wildlife area has a nature center, picnic areas, campgrounds, and more.

Sandy Point State Recreation Area- Located next to Horseshoe Bend State Park, the recreation area has a beach, boat ramp, and more.

St. Vincent De Paul Regional Food Bank- Located in Prosser, the food bank works to help those who struggle financially.

County Offices

Benton County government operates out of three locations. Each office serves different purposes.

Office of the Clerk/Register of Deeds – The clerk/register of deeds records documents such as mortgages, deeds, and liens. The current clerk is Josie Delvin. You can contact them at 509-786-5624.

Office of the Sheriff – The sheriff’s office handles law enforcement duties in the county. The current sheriff is Tom Croskrey. Reach them at 509-735-6555.

Office of the Treasurer – The treasurer’s office collects taxes and distributes funds to various programs throughout the county. Kenneth Spencer, Jr. heads the department. Call them at 509.786.2255.

Office of the Auditor- The auditor’s office oversees all financial matters within the county. You can call the office at +1 (509) 736-2727.

Other county offices include the assessor’s office, district attorney, health department, planning, and zoning.

Verdict

Benton County is a great place to live or visit. The county is home to several parks, including Meadow Creek Wildlife Area, Sandy Point State Recreation Area, St. Vincent DePaul Regional Food Bank, and Horseshoe Bend state park. These parks offer visitors a wide range of recreational opportunities.

Benton County Offices by Type