Benton in Saline County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The Gann Building

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

1. The Gann Building Marker

Inscription. Built in 1893, the office of Dr. Dewell Gann, Sr. is the only known bauxite building in existence. The building was constructed by patients who could not afford to pay for services he had rendered them. The soft stone was dug from a farm nearby, sawn into blocks with a handsaw and allowed to harden for six weeks. The building served as the Gann Medical Office until 1946 when it was given by Dr. Dewell Gann, Jr. to the City of Benton to be used as a library and later a museum.

Erected 1976 by Benton-Saline County Bicentennial Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 34° 33.702′ N, 92° 35.287′ W. Marker is in Benton, Arkansas, in Saline County. It is on S. Market Street north of W. Smith Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 S Main St, Benton AR 72015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Little Rock Metropolitan Area

and in the Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Southwest Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quapaws, Choctaws, and Chickasaws Passed Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); IOOF Building

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Saline County Records (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saline County Revolutionary War Soldiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saline County's Everlasting Tribute (approx. ¼ mile away); Saline County in the Civil War (approx. ¼ mile away); Bicentennial - Saline District Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benton.

Also see . . . Gann Museum of Saline County. From The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. (Submitted on August 8, 2016.)

The Gann Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

2. The Gann Building

Only known building made of bauxite

View to North Along S. Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

3. View to North Along S. Main Street

Marker is on right (east) side of street

Gann Museum of Saline County Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ava Crawford, April 25, 2021

4. Gann Museum of Saline County Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on April 28, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill.