The
Mullan Military Road, started in 1859 by
Lieutenant John Mullan, connected the upper navigable
Missouri River with the
Columbia River. This 624-mile (1004 km) road, which passed through what was later to become the town of Benge, was completed in 1862 at a cost of $280,000. The town is named after Frank H. Benge, who represented
Adams County in the State Legislature in 1904. Benge and his wife donated the land upon which the town site was platted on May 13, 1907. Frank & Mary Crouch Benge and daughters came to Adams County in 1892. They had lived on the current site of Benge for 15 years when the
Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway surveyed the rail line to pass right through their ranch house. The Benges were paid $5,000 to move their house. ==See also==