Senator Thomas Hart Benton (Photo from United States Library of Congress)
Originally named Jefferson or B Street, Edgewater renamed the second street west of Sheridan after Senator Thomas Hart Benton in 1903.
Nicknamed “Old Bullion”, Thomas Hart Benton was a United States Senator from Missouri who served from 1821 to 1851. He was a prominent figure in the early history of the United States, and was known for his strong support of westward expansion, often referred to as Manifest Destiny.
Born in Hillsboro, North Carolina on March 14, 1782, Benton grew up in a family of politicians and public servants. Benton studied law at University of North Carolina and served as an aide to General Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. After the war, Benton settled in St. Louis.
In 1820, Benton was elected to represent Missouri in the United States Senate, where he quickly established himself as a leading voice for western interests. He was a strong supporter of the development of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and canals, and he played a key role in the passage of the Land Act of 1820, which helped to facilitate the settlement of the western United States. Benton was also a vocal advocate for the expansion of slavery, and he was a prominent member of the pro-slavery faction in the Senate.
Benton served a total of four terms in the Senate. He was defeated in his bid for a fifth term in 1844, but returned to the Senate in 1851 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. Benton retired from the Senate in 1853, and died on April 10, 1858.
What does this guy have to do with Benton St. in Edgewater, Colorado?