It was founded as a rail terminal for the area, and located approximately 45 miles (72 km) east-southeast of the city of Tucson.

It was named after Judge William S. Benson, a friend of Charles Crocker, president of the Southern Pacific.

[4] The railroad, coming overland from California, chose the Benson site to cross the San Pedro River.

Benson then served as a rail junction point to obtain ore and refined metal by wagon, in turn shipping rail freight back to the mines at Tombstone, Fairbank, Contention City and Bisbee.

The railhead in Benson was founded about a mile from a traditional crossing of the upper San Pedro River (known also as the Middle Crossing), used by the Southern Emigrant Trail and San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line.

Apache Park and nine nearby houses on West 6th Street in Benson, built to house company management, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 as the Apache Powder Historic Residential District.

[9] Similar to other desert plains areas of Arizona, Benson receives little rainfall and is relatively hot.

[18] On March 26, 1985, voters approved a resolution upgrading Benson to city status.

Benson Airport is located 5 miles (8 km) northwest of the city center.

Amtrak provides passenger rail service at 105 E. 4th Street, where it serves as a stop for the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle lines (as of 2024).