Gather ’round, dear friends, and let us tell you a story stitched into the fabric of Benton City—a tale of dusty trails, blooming orchards, and the enduring heartbeat of a small town in Washington’s Yakima Valley.

Our story begins in the early 1900s, when this land was still wide open and wild. The Yakama people had long stewarded its rivers and hills, but new change came thundering in on iron rails. In 1909, the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company laid tracks through the sagebrush, and engineer F.L. Pitman platted a townsite along the Yakima River. He named it Benton City, after the county itself, which had been carved out in 1905. Families trickled in—homesteaders, farmers, dreamers—scratching out lives on dryland wheat farms and hoping irrigation would one day bring prosperity.

The town grew slowly at first. A depot, a few stores, and a post office were the heartbeat of the early years. Benton City endured the Great Depression, then felt the ripple of change during World War II, when the Hanford Project sprang up just up the road. But the true turning point came in 1947, when irrigation water finally flowed in through the Sunnyside Canal. Overnight, the dry soil became fertile ground for orchards, vineyards, and hops—planting the seeds of a community that would thrive for generations. Benton City officially incorporated in 1945, and today it’s a town of about 3,500, known for agriculture, wine tourism, and the warmth of small-town living.

And at the heart of this community’s story stands a cornerstone: The Palm.

First opening its doors in the 1920s, The Palm began as a modest tavern where railroad workers and farmers could trade stories after long days in the fields or on the tracks. Through the Great Depression, it was a comfort. During wartime, it became a place to gather, share letters from the front, and celebrate victories. By the time Benton City incorporated, The Palm was already a fixture, serving hearty meals to Hanford workers and locals alike.

Through the decades, The Palm grew right alongside Benton City. Ownership changed hands, but its role never wavered: a gathering place where news spread, neighbors connected, and the town’s spirit was kept alive. When Benton City celebrated its milestones, The Palm was there—supporting events, feeding families, and offering a place where everyone felt at home.

Then came a new chapter. In 2021, two brothers—Nick Chapin and Ron Duncan—took up the mantle of ownership. With deep ties to the community and a vision to honor the past while building the future, they set out to breathe new life into the establishment. As part of that transformation, they renamed it from The Palm Tavern to The Palm Bar & Grill™—a deliberate choice to reflect a more welcoming, family-friendly gathering place while preserving its heritage.

Alongside the new name came revitalized offerings: smoked prime rib on Fridays, BBQ ribs on Wednesdays, 20 beers on tap, and a lively calendar of entertainment including karaoke and live music. The changes struck the perfect balance—keeping The Palm’s historic soul alive while making it a place where both families and friends could feel at home.

Today, in 2025, The Palm Bar & Grill™ is more than a restaurant or a bar—it is Benton City’s living room. On the patio, under string lights, families, farmers, wine tourists, and longtime locals gather to share meals, laughter, and stories. Inside, the echoes of karaoke, live music, and celebrations remind us that The Palm has always been more than food and drink—it’s been about connection.

For over 100 years, The Palm Bar & Grill™ has grown with Benton City, supported its people, and carried forward its history. And as the town continues to flourish, The Palm Bar & Grill™ remains its beating heart—where the story of Benton City is not just remembered, but lived, one pint and one prime rib at a time.