Why Remember 9/11 at the Gann?
By Cody Berry While the Gann Museum specializes in the history of Saline County, we must also acknowledge that sometimes events that happen elsewhere also affect life right here in Arkansas. In the decades after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001, people have been asking each other, “Where were you when 9/11 happened?” Whether you were a student in school here, like I was, or … Continued
“First In” at the Gann
By Cody Berry September 11, 2026, marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks in New York City, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, that changed history. During those terrible events in September 2001, many first responders and their families were forever changed as was the nation. Some of them lost their lives while serving their communities wearing uniforms like those worn by … Continued
The Courthouse Restoration Continues
By Cody Berry The crown jewel of our beloved town square in Benton, the Saline County Courthouse, looks better every day. The new restoration is made possible by using skilled workers, county funds, and grants from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The current Saline County Courthouse is the third courthouse to sit in downtown Benton. The Courthouse was completed in 1902 by the architectural firm of Charles Thompson and John Odum, who oversaw its construction. Thompson designed it … Continued
Salty Artists: Taya Covey
By Cody Berry Taya Covey grew up in Paron, Arkansas in Saline County. Covey earned a Bachelor of Social Work from UA-Little Rock in 2022. After having her daughter, Covey returned to school to complete her Master of Social work degree. Covey is now a licensed mental health therapist at Chenal Family Therapy in West Little Rock.1 Covey said that she … Continued
Salty Artists: Jo Helen Fletcher
By Cody Berry Jo Helen Fletcher was born Jo Helen Kays on October 5, 1945, in Hot Springs. Jo graduated from Benton High School in 1963 and went on to study at the Memphis Academy of Art. She graduated with a BA from Little Rock University (now UA Little Rock) in 1967 before getting her master’s degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia in 1977.1 After college, Jo started teaching … Continued
13 Books for the Big 250
By Cody Berry In honor of the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, I wanted to make some reading recommendations. So, just as there were thirteen original colonies, I have chosen thirteen books, some of which changed the way I thought about the American Revolution and the people who lived it. Many are available … Continued
The Library’s Modern Era
By Cody Berry On August 25, 1998, a vote was taken on a .7% mileage increase and a quarter cent countywide sales tax to fund improvements to the Saline County Library. It passed and later that year three Benton businessmen donated 5.2 acres of land on Smithers Drive for the new branch. The Library Board decided to leave the Palace Theater building on September 15, … Continued
Salty Art at the Gann Museum
By Cody Berry This summer I wanted to do something a little less heavy and give people something to just enjoy without needing a history lesson to do so. Saline County is home to many, many people who love to create. So, I decided to use the Gann Museum to shine light on them for the summer. Thanks to help from my friends at the … Continued
A Founder by the River: Judge Charles Caldwell
By Cody Berry Over Memorial Day weekend my parents decided that they wanted to go eat at Riverside Grocery on Highway 5. During our meal there I told them that I had read about a nearby cemetery which had the oldest marked grave in Saline County. They asked me where it was, and I showed them on my phone … Continued
The Gann’s Librarian: Mrs. Ella Daugherty Pitcock
By Cody Berry As we have discussed before, after the death of Dr. Gann, Sr., in 1945, the Gann Building was given to the City of Benton in 1946 to house the Gann Memorial Library. Mrs. Ella Daugherty Pitcock was its librarian during that whole period. She was born Ella May Hill at Stacy Lake in Independence County, Arkansas. When Ella was three years old, the family moved to … Continued