Kenna, New Mexico

Kenna
Community

Low brick building with large brick awning

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 / 33.84222°N 103.77194°W / 33.84222; -103.77194Coordinates: 33°50′32″N 103°46′19″W / 33.84222°N 103.77194°W / 33.84222; -103.77194[3]
Country  United States
State  New Mexico
County Roosevelt
Region Llano Estacado
Founded 1902
Elevation[3] 4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Time zone Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
Zip code 88122
Area code 575
Website Office of the State Historian

Kenna is a small unincorporated community in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 70, 30 mi (48 km) southwest of Portales. 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 stagecoachs 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 could boast a bank, two hotels, several stores, a post office, as well as several saloons. By 1912, many homesteaders relinquished their claims due to the drought, and Kenna dropped both in size and importance.

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. 1 2 "Kenna". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  4. 1 2 Murphey, J.W. (2010). "Kenna". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
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