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Kenna, New Mexico

Coordinates: 33°50′32″N 103°46′19″W / 33.84222°N 103.77194°W / 33.84222; -103.77194
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kenna
Unincorporated community
Low brick building with large brick awning
Kenna Store, formerly Midway Service Station, listed in National Register of Historic Places[1]
Kenna is located in New Mexico
Kenna
Kenna
Location of Kenna in New Mexico
Coordinates: 33°50′32″N 103°46′19″W / 33.84222°N 103.77194°W / 33.84222; -103.77194[2]
Country United States
State New Mexico
CountyRoosevelt
RegionLlano Estacado
Founded1902
Elevation4,462 ft (1,360 m)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
Zip code
88122
Area code575
GNIS feature ID915847[2]
WebsiteOffice of the State Historian

Kenna is an unincorporated community in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States.[2] It is located on U.S. Route 70, 30 mi (48 km) southwest of Portales.

History

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The settlement was originally known as Urton, probably named for two brothers who came to the region from the state of Missouri in 1884. A contractor by the name of Kenna camped in Urton during the construction of a roadbed for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Kenna's camp served as a stopping place for stagecoaches to exchange mail as well as passengers.[citation needed]

In 1899, when the railroad was completed, the name Kenna remained for the camp. Established first as Urton in 1902 by the opening of a post office, the name was changed back to Kenna in 1906.[3] E.D. Kenna, the vice president of the railroad, may have contributed to the final choice of a name.[citation needed]

Kenna was one of the largest cattle shipping points in the state by 1909.[3] At the peak of its development, the town had a bank, two hotels, several stores, a post office, and several saloons. By 1912, many homesteaders relinquished their claims due to the drought, and Kenna began to decline.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Midway Service Station". Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenna, New Mexico
  3. ^ a b Murphey, J.W. (2010). "Kenna". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
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