Marshall County, 92nd created in the state in 1842, was named for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Marshall (1801-1835); it was carved out of the northern portion of Calloway County. It is bordered on the north by Livingston, Lyon and McCracken counties, on the east by Trigg county, on the south by Calloway county and on the west by Graves County. Its county seat is Benton, named in honor of Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri.
For 10 years in a row, 1999-2009, Marshall County has been named the best county to live in within the State of Kentucky.
Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake, both created by the Tennessee Valley Authority by impounding the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, make up one of the largest man-made bodies of water in the country. It lies on the north/northeast boundary of Marshall County.
Benton holds its annual Tater Day Festival in April. This festival has its origins in a trade day began in 1842 and is the world’s only celebration of the sweet potato.
Held annually the fourth Sunday of each May, is the Big Singing, which originated in 1884 and is the oldest continuously operating indigenous music festival in the United States. The Big Singing was founded by James R. Lemon, publisher of the Benton Tribune-Democrat.
One of Benton’s most famous sons was Joe Creason a journalist who was a columnist for the Courier-Journal from 1946-1963. Creason also wrote two books based on the research he did for this columns before he died suddenly in 1974.
Calvert City was founded by Potilla Calvert and is known for its chemical and manufacturing plants. Mr. Calvert’s home, Oak Hill, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Marshall County was the site of Cherokee State Park, located on the grounds of the current Kenlake State Resort park in Aurora. This park operated as the only segregated resort facility for thousands of Negro citizens until the early 1960′s when it was closed after the state park system adopted a complete integration policy.
