Old Franklin County Historic Jail Museum – Benton (West City), IL
Visit the displays portraying the life of notorious gangster, Charlie Binger. Birger was the last recorded public hanging in the State of Illinois, on April 19, 1928 for the 1926 murder of West City’s mayor, Joe Adams.
Relive the days of the Civil War with General John A. Logan who was one of the most pivotal Genrals in the Civil War. General Logan was an outspoken Congressman who was the creater of Memorial Day by his general order #11. He was a reisdent of Benton during this era.
Also learn about famous natives, actor John Malkovich, NBA basketball star and coach Doug Collins and learn why Franklin County’s WFRX radio station was the first radio station in the United States to play a Beatles record in 1963.
Exhibits: The mansion ans adjoining jail have been restored to their original 1905 condition by the Society for the Historic Preservation of Franklin
County. The exhibits include:
Old radio equiptment from station WFRX that was used when the Beatles’ George Harrison visited the area in 1963 and the station played the first Beatle record in the U.S., "From Me to You."
Memorbilia from Prohibition, gangs, and Charlie Birger in the 1920′s.
room dedicated to high school, college, and professional basketball standout Doug Collins, who spent his childhood in the area and lived in the mansion while his father was sheriff. His one-time bedroom has been converted into a room dedicated to his basketball career.
Civil War Memorbilia and John A. Logan historical items, and local history items.
17-foot monument to Gen. Logan and the 209 Union Soldiers from Franklin County who died to preserve the nation. Home of the Franklin County Tourism Bureau.
Styled in Georgian Revival Architecture, the Society for Historical Preservation of Franklin County is continually restoring the building to it’s once original condition.
A new jail was built in 1991, and the old jail was placed on the register of Historic Places on Feb. 1, 1999. It is also the home of the Franklin Tourism Bureau.
Location: 209 W. Main St., Benton
Hours: Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Sunday
Phone: 800-661-9998 or 439-0608
Admission: No Charge, donations accepted