KENTON, OH

Kenton is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, United States, located in the west central part of Ohio approximately 57 mi (92 km) NW of Columbus and 70 mi (113 km) south of Toledo. The population was 7,947 at the 2020 census. The city was named for frontiersman Simon Kenton of Kentucky and Ohio.

History

Kenton was originally the site of Fort McArthur, erected 1812 by Colonel Duncan McArthur as one of the forts along the line of General William Hull's march against the British headquarters at Fort Detroit during the War of 1812.

In 1845, Kenton was incorporated as a village; it became a city in 1886. The city 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. 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.

International Car Company, a manufacturer of rail cabooses, operated in Kenton for many years. In 1975 it was purchased by Paccar, a manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. In 1983, Paccar closed down the business, noting a decrease in demand for rail equipment.

CSX 8888 incident

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. The incident later inspired the 2010 motion picture Unstoppable.

Geography

Kenton is located at (40.646555, -83.608706).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.

Demographics

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 8,262 people in 3,351 households, including 2,092 families, in the city. The population density was 1,836 persons per square mile (712.2/km). There were 3,773 housing units at an average density of 838.4 per square mile (325.3/km). The racial makeup of the city 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. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.90%.

Of the 3,351 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 31.9% of households were one person and 14.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 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% 65 or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 8,336 people in 3,495 households, including 2,149 families, in the city. The population density was 1,860.6 people per square mile (718.4/km). There were 3,795 housing units at an average density of 847.0/sq mi (327.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.11% White, 0.91% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.90%.

Of the 3,495 households 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.4% of households were one person and 15.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median household income was $29,065 and the median family income was $37,170. Males had a median income of $31,225 versus $19,413 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,324. About 11.6% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Kenton is home to the Kenton City School district, which includes an elementary school, Kenton Middle School, Kenton High School. Kenton Elementary School opened in 2014 which replaced the three previous elementary and one kindergarten buildings. 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

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 2011 in Division IV, and runner-up in 2003 in Division III.

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

Two media outlets currently operate in Kenton: WKTN, a radio station, and The Kenton Times, a daily newspaper.

Attractions

Kenton has a variety of attractions and activities. The Hardin County Courthouse is a historical site in the center of the public square. Kenton has one public library, the Mary Lou Johnson Hardin County District Library, which was formerly located in a 1905 Carnegie library. The city also possesses a museum, the Hardin County Historical Museum, located in a near north side historic district.

The city also has the Kenton Theater and the Hi-Road Drive-in. The local YMCA offers basketball, lift, and swimming. Restaurants include En Lai Chinese restaurant, Basil's Italian restaurant, Salsa's Mexican restaurant, and Michael Angelo's Pizza.

Kenton's large Amish population sells produce, baked goods, and furniture. The Hardin County Fair is held during the week of Labor Day.

Notable people