Baseball cards have been a beloved pastime for collectors across America for over a century. In the small city of Benton, Arkansas, located just outside of Little Rock, baseball cards have a rich history and continue to be a vibrant part of the local culture and economy. This article will provide an in-depth look at the history of baseball cards in Benton and the businesses and communities that have grown up around the hobby.
Some of the earliest baseball cards produced in the late 19th century featured stars from small town amateur and semi-pro leagues from all over the country, including some players that likely hailed from central Arkansas towns like Benton. While it’s impossible to know for certain if any of those early cardboard stars once called Benton home, it’s reasonable to assume the hobby had already taken root in the area by the early 20th century as mass produced sets from companies like American Caramel and American Tobacco reached general stores across the nation.
In the post-World War II era, Benton saw its first dedicated baseball card shop open in 1953 called Bob’s Baseball Cards. Owned and operated by lifelong resident Bob Johnson, the small store quickly became a popular hangout for both young collectors and older fans looking to reminisce about the stars of years past. Bob’s helped foster the growth of the hobby in Benton for decades, regularly hosting card shows, swap meets and providing the latest releases to its loyal customer base.
The 1970s were the golden age of baseball cards in Benton, as the rise of stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron coincided with the city’s population boom brought on by new manufacturing jobs and affordable suburban housing developments. Dozens of boys in every neighborhood could be found trading, arguing and playing with their cardboard collections on front porches, in treehouses and at the local ballfields after school and on weekends. Stores like Bob’s and others that opened to capitalize on the craze did a booming business.
A major catalyst for the growth of serious card collecting in Benton was the arrival of the famed “1973 Topps Blue Jays” error card, featuring an image of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team a full season before they began play. Only a handful are known to exist and one of the most prized specimens ended up in the collection of a then 12-year old Benton resident named Tommy Williams. News of Tommy’s uncut sheet of the ultra-rare cards spread across the region, putting Benton on the map for serious collectors hunting for one-of-a-kind treasures from the past.
In the 1980s, Benton saw the rise of its first large card show promoted by local collectors. Held annually at the Benton Event Center, the “Benton Baseball Card Extravaganza” grew to host over 150 tables of vendors and draw thousands of collectors from around Arkansas and surrounding states each year. Along with the influx of visitors, the Extravaganza helped foster a tight-knit community of adult collectors in Benton who remain dedicated to the hobby to this day. Several stores also opened in the 1980s that focused solely on non-sports cards like CCGs and comics, expanding the collectibles scene beyond just baseball.
The 1990s were another boom period for baseball cards in Benton as stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and Mark McGwire captured the attention of both seasoned collectors and a new generation. With the rise of the internet, Benton collectors were also some of the earliest adopters of online trading forums, auctions on eBay and social media groups focused on the hobby. Businesses adapted as well, with several adding websites to stay competitive and reach customers worldwide. The annual Extravaganza also grew, peaking at over 225 tables of vendors during baseball’s steroid era.
In the 21st century, Benton’s baseball card community and businesses have remained vibrant despite broader economic challenges and the rise of digital entertainment alternatives. While independent shops have closed and consolidated over the years, the Extravaganza is still going strong with its 40th anniversary show coming up in 2023. Newer stores like Benton Sports Cards have emerged to serve the current generation exploring the nostalgia of the hobby. The city’s collectors also remain deeply engaged with each other through online groups and regular meetups at local restaurants and breweries.
For many in Benton, baseball cards are more than just pieces of cardboard – they’re connections to memories of childhood, a way to stay engaged in the game throughout life and a shared bond between friends and family. The history of the hobby in the city shows how it has grown and changed alongside the community for decades. And with new collectors always discovering the joy of the pastime, Benton’s rich baseball card culture looks primed to continue thriving for many years to come.
