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.
Kenna | |
|---|---|
Unincorporated community | |
 Kenna Store, formerly Midway Service Station, listed in National Register of Historic Places[1] | |
  Kenna Location of Kenna in New Mexico | |
| Coordinates: 33°50′32″N 103°46′19″W / 33.84222°N 103.77194°W[2] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| County | Roosevelt |
| Region | Llano Estacado |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Elevation | 4,462 ft (1,360 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| Zip code | 88122 |
| Area code | 575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 915847[2] |
| Website | Office of the State Historian |
History edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Midway Service Station". Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenna, New Mexico
- ^ a b Murphey, J.W. (2010). "Kenna". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
External links edit
