Benson

Louisiana's ghost towns are river landings, lumber and turpentine camps, and oil-boom towns that deflated.

Benson is an unincorporated community in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, United States. Located approximately halfway between Mansfield and Converse on the Kansas City Southern Railroad, it is an historic sawmill town.

The on-the-ground condition of Benson is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Benson is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Benson is roughly 31.8664, -93.6939 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.