The Courier Gets A New Building 

By Cody Berry 

In October 1986, the Benton Courier moved into the building we all know on the corner of Cross and Market Streets in downtown Benton. It marked the first time in its long history that the paper had been “published in a building constructed for the expressed purpose of putting out a daily newspaper.”¹ The new building was designed by local architectural firm Black, Corley, and Associates with John Corley as project architect. Courier publisher Sam Hodges said that the new building “makes just the right statement,” and “it shows our confidence in the future of Benton and Saline County.”² The Courier’s print shop stands directly behind the building. 

At the Gann Museum, we have an original first floor plan for the Courier building on display. Back then, the editorial, advertising, photography, and composing departments were located on the first floor. Now, the paper’s collection of bound editions of the Courier is located upstairs. Each volume contains a year’s run bound together like a massive book.  

At the Gann we also have an issue of the Courier from the day they moved into their new building in 1986, and we have a picture of the old office on Market Street. The Courier has had several locations in downtown Benton over the years. It was located at 120 North Market Street in the early 1900s. Sam Hodges bought the Courier from L.B. White in 1953.³ The Saline Courier exhibit will close in May. 

Citations:

¹ “New Courier building marks change,” The Benton Courier, October 24, 1986, p. 1 

² “New Courier building marks change,” The Benton Courier, October 24, 1986, p. 1 

³ “New Courier building marks change,” The Benton Courier, October 24, 1986, p. 1