The Old Filling Station
140 Main Street, Benton

In early March, 2003, the Old Filling Station moved to the first house on the left in this picture, the former residence and office of Dr. Patterson and the oldest house in the town of Benton.

Prior to the Benton Fire of July 4, 1910, the Exchange Hotel occupied a position of prominence at the corner of Main and Market Streets, Benton. It is the imposing building on the left of this picture and for the past several years has been the location of the Old Filling Station.

The oldest known house built in Benton Borough was built in 1831 by Michael Hartman and his son George. The house survived for almost 80 years until the Benton Fire of 1910 burned everything else on the block--except for this house.

A Doctor Chapin owned it, and later Dr. I. E. Patterson (1844-1929) bought it, lived in it and had his office there until he passed away in 1929.

The Patterson House in 1910,
following the Benton Fire.

Isaac E. Patterson, MD, was born in Orange township in 1844, attended Orangeville Academy, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, served as a quartermaster-sergeant and fought at Appomattox. He was present when a flag of truce was carried back through the lines of his company at Appomattox. He returned to Orangeville after the conclusion of the Civil War, again entered school, and taught for a time at Beach Haven. He studied medicine under two local doctors while teaching and eventually entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia in the winter of 1867-68 and graduated in 1869. He started his practice in Beach Haven, but later moved to Laporte, where he was employed by a tannery. He moved to Benton in 1874, buying the real estate and practice of Dr. Chapin, who continued to "ride" with Dr. Patterson for a year. Dr. Patterson later formed a four-year partnership with Dr. Edwards. Dr. Patterson married Martha Seeley in 1870 and they owned a 65-acre farm north of Benton. Some local residents remember Dr. Patterson, saying that he was an "old" man as a doctor and that most medicines he dispensed came in glass bottles.

The property was then used by Dr. Lewis Ginter, a dentist.

Dr. Charles S. Sentner was the next owner and used the building for his residence and practice. Dr. Sentner opened his practice in Benton September 3, 1946. Doctor Sentner served thirty-five months in the United States Army Air Force, and before that he practiced in the Philadelphia area. Dr. Sentner was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College and took post graduate work there. He was at the Wills Eye Hospital for one year, and interned at the St. Agnes Hospital and Joe Price Hospitals in Philadelphia. When Dr. Sentner arrived in Benton, he was a widower, his wife having died while he was in the service. He had three children.

John Allen was the next owner. From 1955 until 1962, Betty Ward Brewington ran a beauty shop there, until Mr. and Mrs. Ray Davenport bought the property. The Dawsons purchased the property from Alice Davenport in 2002.

Dining is in three separate dining rooms. The first room is decorated in car and gas station memorabilia and is named the "Filling Station Room." The second room is named "the Dawson," and is so inscribed on the fireplace mantle. The third room is named the Davenport Room.