Benton County, Minnesota is located in the central part of the state and lies on the north side of the Mississippi River. It is bordered by Stearns County to the west, Sherburne County to the east, Mille Lacs County to the north, and Morrison County to the south. The county seat is Foley and its largest city is Sauk Rapids.

The geography of Benton County is mostly flat with rolling hills and small lakes scattered throughout. The land is mostly used for agricultural purposes such as farming crops or raising livestock. There are also some wooded areas in the county as well as wetlands which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

The Mississippi River forms part of Benton County’s northern boundary and provides recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. There are several smaller rivers that run through Benton County including Rice Creek, Sauk River, Rum River, Sartell River, and Clearwater Creek which all offer great fishing spots for anglers looking for a variety of species including bass, walleye, pike, musky, catfish and more.

Benton County has several parks located throughout its borders offering recreational activities like camping, hiking trails, bird watching spots or even just a place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty. The county also has several golf courses available for those looking to hit a few balls or practice their swing on a beautiful day in Minnesota.

In conclusion, Benton County offers something for everyone with its variety of landscapes from rolling hills to wooded areas to wetlands offering plenty of outdoor activities along with numerous parks providing recreation opportunities plus an abundance of wildlife species living in these areas making it a great place to explore and enjoy nature’s beauty in Minnesota.

Country seat and other main cities of Benton County, Minnesota

Benton County, Minnesota is comprised of several cities and towns with the county seat located in Foley. The city of Foley is considered to be the hub of Benton County and is home to a variety of businesses, shops, restaurants and other services. It also houses the Benton County Courthouse as well as the Benton County Historical Society Museum.

Sauk Rapids is the largest city in Benton County and lies on the south side of the Mississippi River just east of St. Cloud. It has become a popular destination for shopping, dining and entertainment with its many stores, restaurants, bars and other attractions.

According to COUNTRYAAH, other cities located within Benton County include Rice, Gilman, Mayhew Lake, Sartell, Clear Lake, St. George, Haven Township and Watab Township. Each city has its own unique attractions ranging from parks to museums to historic sites making it easy for visitors to explore all that Benton County has to offer.

The smaller towns in Benton County are equally as charming with their own unique character and offerings ranging from small shops selling local goods to lakefront properties offering stunning views of Minnesota’s natural beauty. Some of these smaller towns include Sauk Centre which lies on the north side of the Mississippi River near Stearns County; Gilmanton which sits along Clearwater Creek; Mayhew Lake which lies on its namesake lake; Sartell which lies on both sides of the Sauk River; Clear Lake which sits along its namesake lake; St. George which borders both Rice Creek and Rum River; Haven Township located further north near Mille Lacs County; Watab Township located further south near Morrison County; as well as several other small towns scattered throughout Benton County’s borders.

In conclusion, Benton County offers a variety of cities and towns each with its own unique character offering visitors an array of attractions from shopping to dining to outdoor recreation making it a great place to explore.

History of Benton County, Minnesota

Benton County, Minnesota is located in the central part of the state and is named after Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri. It was established in 1849 and originally included parts of Sherburne and Stearns counties. The county has grown to include over 2,000 square miles of land and a population of over 38,000 people.

The area was first settled by Native Americans including the Ojibwe, Dakota Sioux, and Ho-Chunk tribes who lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. The first recorded European settlers were French fur traders who arrived in the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, more settlers began arriving from Europe as well as other parts of the United States to farm the fertile land.

The county seat was established in 1854 at what is now known as Foley, Minnesota which is located on the north side of Benton County along the Mississippi River. The city quickly grew into an important hub for commerce and industry in Central Minnesota with many businesses setting up shop there including lumber mills, grain elevators, flour mills and other factories.

In addition to its commercial importance, Benton County also has an interesting history related to World War II when it served as a training ground for soldiers preparing for overseas deployment. During this time several military bases were established throughout Benton County including Camp Ripley which still exists today as an active military base.

Today, Benton County is still largely rural but it continues to be an important part of Central Minnesota’s economy with many businesses located within its borders including manufacturing companies such as 3M Corporation’s plant in Sauk Rapids; agricultural operations such as dairy farms; retail stores; restaurants; and more recently technology companies such as Digi-Key Electronics based in Thief River Falls.

Benton County remains a beautiful place full of natural beauty with its rolling hills covered with forests and prairies; numerous rivers flowing through its borders providing recreation opportunities to those living nearby or visiting from afar; small towns dotting the landscape providing unique attractions such as museums or historic sites; and larger cities like Saint Cloud providing modern amenities such as shopping centers or entertainment venues. With so much to offer both residents and visitors alike Benton County continues to be a great place to live.

Economy of Benton County, Minnesota

Benton County in Minnesota is largely rural, but it is an important part of Central Minnesota’s economy. The county seat is Foley, located on the north side of Benton County along the Mississippi River. It quickly grew into an important hub for commerce and industry in Central Minnesota with many businesses setting up shop there including lumber mills, grain elevators, flour mills and other factories.

Today, Benton County remains a major agricultural center in Minnesota with many dairy farms operating within its borders. In recent years, the county has also seen a surge in technology companies such as Digi-Key Electronics based in Thief River Falls. Retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses are also found throughout the area providing employment to many local residents.

The county also serves as an important link between the Twin Cities metropolitan area and rural areas of Central Minnesota. It is home to several major highways including Interstate 94 which connects St Cloud to Minneapolis/St Paul and US Highway 10 which connects St Cloud to Fargo/Moorhead. The city of St Cloud is a bustling metropolis that provides all types of amenities from shopping centers to entertainment venues while remaining close enough to enjoy the natural beauty that Benton County has to offer.

In addition to its commercial importance, Benton County also has an interesting history related to World War II when it served as a training ground for soldiers preparing for overseas deployment. During this time several military bases were established throughout Benton County including Camp Ripley which still exists today as an active military base.

Overall, Benton County has much to offer both residents and visitors alike with its mix of modern amenities and natural beauty making it a great place to live. With its rich history and modern economy that continues to grow each year, Benton County is sure to remain an important part of Central Minnesota’s economy for years to come.