Near Benton in Polk County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Bear Lawson Bridge

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

1. Bear Lawson Bridge Marker

Inscription. Named in honor of William Hinton “Bear” Lawson who lived in this area from Aug. 10, 1842 to June 17, 1913. His generosity created the historic area now known as Benton Station.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1842.

Location. 35° 11.171′ N, 84° 40.534′ W. Marker is near Benton, Tennessee, in Polk County. It is on Benton Station Road 0.1 miles east of Circle R Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at bridge over Ocoee River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1166 Benton Station Road, Benton TN 37307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Benton Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nancy Ward (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Nancy Ward (approx. 1½ miles away); Civil War in Polk County (approx. 1½ miles away); Polk County Veterans Monument (approx. 1.6 miles away); Polk County World Wars Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Polk County Confederate Monument (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ocoee No. 1 (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Campsite Interpretive Site (was approx. 4.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Bear Lawson Bridge.

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Lawson donated land to help attract a Louisville & Nashville Railroad line in the early 1900s, resulting in Benton Station's formation in 1906.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Bear Lawson Bridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.