Downtown in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Benton County

Organized in 1840

— Named for Thomas Hart Benton —

Benton County Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, December 30, 2023

1. Benton County Marker

Inscription. Primarily an agricultural community, Benton County produced the most famous horse in the history of harness racing. Foaled in Oxford, Ind., in 1896, Dan Patch set the record for the mile (1:55.25) at Lexington, Ky., in 1905. That record stood until 1938.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Political Subdivisions • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 39° 46.142′ N, 86° 10.209′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from North Blackford Street north of Indianapolis Cultural Trail, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis IN 46204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hancock County (here, next to this marker); Johnson County (here, next to this marker); Allen County (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Johnson County (a few steps from this marker); Vigo County (a few steps from this marker); LaPorte County (a few steps from this marker); DeKalb County (a few steps from this marker); Greene County (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

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1. Benton County. (Submitted on January 4, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
2. Dan Patch. Excerpt:

Dan Patch was a mahogany bay Standardbred stallion bred by Daniel (Dan) Messner Jr., a prosperous dry goods merchant from Oxford, Indiana. In late 1894, Messner purchased a three-year-old filly named Zelica for $255 (equal to $8,625 today), planning to use her as a buggy horse. Zelica had gone lame in her only start and was later estimated to be worth under $100 at the time. In 1895, Messner paid a $150 stud fee to breed her to Joe Patchen, a top-quality racehorse, but untried as a sire. The resulting colt was foaled on April 29, 1896, at the livery stable in Oxford. His legs were so crooked that he could not at first stand on his own, leading many of the locals to call him "Messner's Folly".

(Submitted on January 4, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, December 30, 2023

2. Benton County Marker

Location of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, December 30, 2023

3. Location of the marker

Thomas Hart Benton image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Matthew Benjamin Brady, circa 1852

4. Thomas Hart Benton

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 4, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.