Kenton, Oklahoma
| Kenton, Oklahoma | |
|---|---|
| CDP | |
 |
|
 Location in Cimarron County and the state of Oklahoma |
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| Coordinates: 36°54′11″N 102°57′48″W / 36.90306°N 102.96333°WCoordinates: 36°54′11″N 102°57′48″W / 36.90306°N 102.96333°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Cimarron |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2) |
| • Land | 0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,330 ft (1,320 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 17 |
| • Density | 24/sq mi (9.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP codes | 73946 |
| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-39400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1094330 |
Kenton is a census designated place (CDP) in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States. There is a store, "The Merc", bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, three church congregations, and a post office, which was established May 12, 1891. Kenton is the only Oklahoma community that observes Mountain Time, which legally begins a few miles west at the Oklahoma/New Mexico state line. To avoid confusion, "Mountain Time" is often added when giving the time to visitors. Posted business hours all end with "MT" or "MST" to specify Mountain Time. From Kenton, it is approximately 155 miles (249 km) south to Amarillo, Texas, 237 miles (381 km) northwest to Colorado Springs, Colorado, 306 miles (492 km) northwest to Denver, Colorado, 314 miles (505 km) southwest to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 361 miles (581 km) southeast to Oklahoma City, the nearest major population centers. Camp Billy Joe, just east of Kenton, is home to the annual fall week long star party sponsored by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club which draws approximately 500 visitors and is rated as among the largest and best such astronomy event in the nation.
Kenton had 17 residents at the 2010 census. Kenton, which lies in the Cimarron River valley, is just south of Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma. It serves as an unofficial staging point for visitors to Black Mesa.
There are three full-time businesses in Kenton besides the post office - two bed and breakfasts and a guest ranch. A new addition is a steakhouse that operates from the "Hoot & Owl ranch" on Friday and Saturday night.
Kenton was founded in 1893. At the time Oklahoma became a state (on November 16th, 1907), it served as the temporary county seat for Cimarron County. The building now known as "The Merc" served as the temporary courthouse and held the county records. The citizens of the county voted to move the seat on June 11, 1908 to Boise City soon after statehood. Kentonites did not want to give up the records, so a group of people from Boise City confiscated the documents before the end of a 30-day waiting period. This started a local legend that Boise City stole the courthouse.
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Wikipedia