Benson Rotary History

Serving the Local and World Community for 63 years

The Rotary Club of Benson is located in Southeastern Arizona. It was chartered November 11, 1944, the 39th year of Rotary. Paul Harris, Rotary's founder, was still active in the organization which became Rotary International. Benson was the 5852nd club to be chartered in Rotary. Horace Griffen was Governor the Arizona District 111 which encompassed all of Arizona and Northern Mexico With the growth of Rotary and the numbers of the Districts changing, Benson Rotary has been in Districts 111, 166, 549 and then, with the split of district in 1971, due to size, 550. With the addition of the zero to all districts in 1991, Benson is now in District 5500.

Two District Governors have come from the Benson Rotary. In 1974-75 Clarence Post served as Governor. Norm Cook, DG 1991-92 was the first governor of the new District 5500. Benson Rotary has had a history of "Service Above Self" for 63 years and the "4 Way Test" is an important tenet of the club. It addresses ethical conduct in the daily life of its members and has become a part of the opening ritual of each meeting.

Located in the historic rich San Pedro Valley

Familiar names - Cochise, Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches, and Geronimo, an Apache renegade, who with his band of warriors, eluded the American army for many years before his surrender - are very much a part of the history of the beautiful San Pedro Valley. Yet, for hundreds of years before, other Indians made their home along the San Pedro River. Millions and thousands of years ago the dinosaurs and mammoths roamed this area, as is evident from the diggings of the paleontologists and archeologists. Still relatively untouched by humans, the vastness of the landscape, the majesty of the mountains and the cleanliness of the air make this a truly pleasant place to live.

Benson and the San Pedro River valley are rich in natural wonders and provide a home for a myriad of wildlife, including more than 500 species of birds.

Although founded in 1880, Benson civilization began long before with the Spanish missionary, Father Eusibio Kino, who established missions in the late 1600's bringing Christianity and agriculture to the resident Pima Indians. The Pima shared the land with the hostile Chiricahua Apache, who eventually gained control of the area. During the time that the U.S. Army was waging a difficult campaign with the Apaches, the Mormons settled into the area. The Butterfield Overland Stage was founded and the Pony Express began. Benson matured into a bustling railroad town. In 1880 the Transcontinental Southern Pacific Railroad opened the way for two more major rail lines, transporting copper and silver from neighboring mining communities.

In the 1980's, the discovery of the world-class caverns was announced. The Kartchner Caverns State Park, with its fragile and pristine formations, was opened to the public in November of 1999. It has been preserved from introduction of outside air to maintain the spectacular formations for generations to come. As a living cavern, the formations continue to grow.

Watch for information for 2009 Turkey Shoot Golf Tournament