Kenna, New Mexico

Kenna is an unincorporated community in Roosevelt County, New Mexico. It is located on U.S. Highway 70, 30 mi (48 km) southwest of Portales.

Kenna
Community
Kenna Store, formerly Midway Service Station, listed in National Register of Historic Places[2]
Kenna
Location of Kenna in New Mexico
Coordinates: 33°50′32″N 103°46′19″W[3]
Country United States
State New Mexico
CountyRoosevelt
RegionLlano Estacado
Founded1902
Elevation4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
Zip code
88122
Area code575
WebsiteOffice of the State Historian

History

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.

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.[4] E.D. Kenna, the vice president of the railroad, may have contributed to the final choice of a name.

Kenna was one of the largest cattle shipping points in the state by 1909.[4] 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.

See also

References
  1. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Midway Service Station". Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  2. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Midway Service Station". Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  3. "Kenna". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  4. Murphey, J.W. (2010). "Kenna". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
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