Benton, Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benton Benton Station
Hamlet
Etymology: Fort Benton, Montana
Benton Location in Special Area No. 3 Show map of Special Area No. 3 Benton Location in Alberta Show map of Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Central Alberta
Census division	No. 4
Special Area	Special Area No. 3
Government
• Type	Unincorporated
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (Mountain Time Zone)

Benton, also known as Benton Station, is a small community called a hamlet in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is found within Special Area No. 3. Benton is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) east of the town of Oyen. It is also about 24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles) west of the border with Saskatchewan.

What is a Hamlet?

A hamlet is a very small settlement, often even smaller than a village. It usually doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it is managed by a larger regional authority. In Alberta, hamlets are common in rural areas.

Where is Benton Located?

Benton is in a part of Alberta known as Special Area No. 3. This area is in the southeastern part of the province. It is a dry, open landscape, often used for farming and ranching.

Special Areas in Alberta

Alberta has unique regions called "Special Areas." These areas are managed by the Special Areas Board. This board acts like a local government for these regions. They help with things like roads, land use, and community services.

History of Benton

Benton has a connection to the past, especially to the early days of settlement in Western Canada. The name "Benton" comes from Fort Benton, Montana. This fort was named after Thomas Hart Benton. He was an important American politician.

Early Days of Benton

In its early days, Benton was a small but active spot. It once had its own post office, which was important for sending and receiving mail. It also had a CNR station. Train stations were vital hubs for travel and trade in the past. They helped connect communities and move goods across the country.