Kenton, Ohio
| Kenton, Ohio | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
| Motto: "The Key To Your Future!" | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 40°38′48″N 83°36′31″W / 40.64667°N 83.60861°WCoordinates: 40°38′48″N 83°36′31″W / 40.64667°N 83.60861°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Hardin |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Randy Manns |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 5.13 sq mi (13.29 km2) |
| • Land | 5.04 sq mi (13.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2) |
| Elevation[2] | 991 ft (302 m) |
| Population (2010)[3] | |
| • Total | 8,262 |
| • Estimate (2011[4]) | 8,252 |
| • Density | 1,639.3/sq mi (632.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 43326 |
| Area code(s) | 419 567 |
| FIPS code | 39-39886[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1064929[2] |
| Website | http://www.kentoncity.com/ |
Kenton is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, United States,[6] along the Scioto River. The population was 8,262[7] at the 2010 census. The city was named for frontiersman Simon Kenton of Kentucky and Ohio.
Contents |
Geography [edit]
Kenton is located at 40°38′48″N 83°36′31″W / 40.64667°N 83.60861°W (40.646555, -83.608706).[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.13 square miles (13.29 km2), of which, 5.04 square miles (13.05 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water.[1]
History [edit]
In 1845, Kenton was incorporated as a village; it became a city in 1886. Kenton was named after frontiersman Simon Kenton.
The city began as a center for agriculture trade, then in the late nineteenth century developed industry common to America of the time.[9] From 1890 to 1952, Kenton was home to the Kenton Hardware Company, manufacturers of locks, cast-iron toys, and the very popular Gene Autry toy cap guns.[10]
Demographics [edit]
Data for income is not available from the census of 2010. At the census of 2000, however, the median income for a household in the city was $29,065, and the median income for a family was $37,170. Men had a median income of $31,225, compared to $19,413 for women. The per capita income for the city was a paltry $16,324. About 11.6% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of persons under age 18 and 17.2% of those aged 65 or more.
2010 census [edit]
At the census[7] of 2010, 8,262 people, living in 3,351 households and 2,092 families, resided in the city. The population density was 1,836 persons per square mile (712.2/km²). The 3,773 housing units had an average density of 838.4 per square mile (325.3/km²).
The racial makeup of the city at the census of 2010 was 96.2% White, 0.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos comprised 0.90% of the population.
Of the 3,351 households, 29.2% included children under the age of 18, 40.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present; 37.6% were not families. Individuals comprised 31.9% of all households, and 14.3% were a single person 65 years old or older who was living alone. The average household size was 2.4 persons; the average family size, 2.97.
In the city, the population's age was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 20, 6.5% from 20 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males.
Education [edit]
Kenton is home to the Kenton City School district, which includes three elementary schools (Espy, Northwood, and Hardin Central), Kenton Middle School, Kenton High School, and Westview, a kindergarten. Simon Kenton, a special education school, is run by a different Board of Education and is associated with the Harco Workshop for Developmental Disabilities.
Sports and recreation [edit]
The local high school is Kenton High School, with the nickname, the "Wildcats". The Wildcat football team won consecutive state championships in 2001 and 2002 in division IV, runner-up in 2012 in division IV, and runner-up in 2003 in division III.[11][12]
The city offers camping and fishing at Salsbury Park located west of Kenton on Ohio State Route 67. This city park and reservoir was named in honor of former Mayor Helen Salsbury.
Media [edit]
Two media outlets currently operate in Kenton: WKTN, a radio station, and The Kenton Times, a daily newspaper.
Attractions [edit]
Kenton has a variety of attractions and available activities. The Hardin County Courthouse is an historical site in the center of Kenton. Kenton has one public library, the Mary Lou Johnson Hardin County District Library (http://www.mljlibrary.org), and two museums, the Hardin County Historical Museum and the Organette House Mechanical Music Museum.
Kenton also has the Kenton Theater and the Hi-Road Drive-in. The local YMCA offers basketball, lift, and swimming (the YMCA also administers an outdoor pool during the summer). Restaurants include BR Brunsons, a homestyle restaurant; En Lai, a Chinese restaurant; Salsa's Mexican Restaurant; Michael Angelo's Pizza; and Jolene's Cozy Cafe.
Kenton's large Amish population sells produce, baked goods, and furniture. The Hardin County Fair is held during the week of Labor Day.
CSX 8888 Incident [edit]
The "Crazy Eights" unmanned train incident in 2001, ended in Kenton. The train, led by CSX Transportation engine SD40-2 #8888, left the rail yard in Walbridge, Ohio, and rumbled on a 66-mile journey through northwestern Ohio with no one at the controls, due to the throttle being applied on full instead of a brake. Two of the train's tank cars contained thousands of gallons of molten phenol, a toxic ingredient of paints and dyes harmful when it is inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the skin. For two hours, the train traveled along at speeds of up to 47 miles per hour until the crew of a second train coupled onto the runaway and slowly applied its brakes. Once #8888 was slowed to a speed of 11 miles an hour, a CSX employee, trainmaster Jon Hosfeld, ran alongside the train and climbed aboard, shutting down the locomotive. The train was stopped just southeast of Kenton.
Notable natives and residents [edit]
- John R. Goodin, Democratic congressman from Kansas
- William Lawrence, Republican congressman involved with the attempt to impeach Andrew Johnson
- Jacob Parrott, first recipient of the Medal of Honor
- Paul Robinson, creator of the long-running "Etta Kett" comic strip for King Features Syndicate
References [edit]
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
- ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ a b 2010 Census. "2010 Census". Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Kenton. "City of Kenton Web site". Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ Gene Autry cap guns. "Gene Autry cap guns". Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". Retrieved 2006-12-31.
- ^ Yappi. "Yappi Sports Football". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
External links [edit]
- Official Kenton City Website
- WKTN 95.3
- Kenton Times
- KentonOhio.com - Basic Kenton Information
- Kenton City Schools
- Mary Lou Johnson-Hardin County District Library paranormal investigation
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
