-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Byk/gG509iBouBw3JuwYLrdB0RCvrJVugb/67WVxdbH5fDXqzCIziW8S3W453IlF
 idAb+Dw+CCIu90Tk5lX+4w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001214004-03-000002.txt : 20030723
<SEC-HEADER>0001214004-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20030723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030625140905
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001214004-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030625

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WATSON BEN L III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001214004

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18445
		FILM NUMBER:		03756411

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 102
		CITY:			KENBRIDGE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23944

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENCHMARK BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000804563
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				541460991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 S BROAD ST
		CITY:			KENBRIDGE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23944
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8046768444

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 S BROAD ST
		CITY:			KENBRIDGE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23944
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>blw462503_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-06-25</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000804563</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENCHMARK BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BMRB.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001214004</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WATSON BEN L III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-06-25</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>500.000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>7.38</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>18514.000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-06-25</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>500.000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>7.38</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>457.508</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>Solely By Wife</value>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Ben L. Watson, III</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-06-25</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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