|
|
The town, once
called Antelope, was founded in the early 1890s.
A post office was granted in 1893 and by 1914 the population was a
thriving 25 persons. The population doubled in the mid-1920s and remained
at that level for 40 years. The post office was reported closed in
1960 but has since reopened.
Kent had a population of sixty-five in the late 1960s - falling to
60 by the mid-1970s where it remains today.
Today little is left to interest a tourist - but the juncture of the
two roads provides a sense of place. The lone telephone at least looks
comforting but it's condition is unknown. The overpass of I-10 offers
some relief from the scorching sun but it will be sometime before
Kent becomes a destination.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Van
Horn Hotels
More Hotels
|
Kent
School ruin
Photo courtesy Brian Brown, January 2006 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kent Texas
Forum
Subject:
The Boyds of Kent
My father and his 12 brothers and sisters were raised in Kent, Texas.
My father's name is Claude C. Boyd. He was born in Kent and lived
there many years. When my father returned from the service during
WWII, he became the teacher of the school that is pictured on the
Kent page. He taught all subjects and all grades together. Among
the students were several of his own brothers and sisters including
Howard, Richard, Joy, Jolly and Jerry Boyd. My father taught there
until the Kent and Van Horn school districts were consolidated.
He worked with the Van Horn Chamber of Commerce to make this merger
happen. He then drove the bus to get the students to school in Van
Horn and was asked to teach there as well. Each year The Body Family
Reunion takes place the last full weekend of June. Kent increases
its population from its traditional 60 to about 120+. during this
time. The Boyd brothers and sisters and their children converge
on this little dot on the map every year to reminisce and spend
time together. We camp or we sleep in the little red house down
the road which by the way, my father helped to build. Some of us
stay in Van Horn but we all meet in Kent. That place for us is a
major attraction and a place where we find our roots. We listen
and tell stories about the past and talk about our futures. Time
always seems to stand still here in Kent yet time marches on for
everyone else. - Anese Boyd Forsyth, (Daughter to Claude and
Frances Boyd), June 14, 2007
Kent, Texas
School Ruins
A couple of months ago I was returning from a trip I took in my
Volkswagen Bus and stopped for gas and stumbled upon the ruins of
the Kent Public School building and being one who loves old architecture
I took a couple of pictures, some didn't come out but I do have
a couple that you might be able to use. - Brian Brown, March
09, 2006
My family lived
on the Ikins Ranch in the 1950's. We were so far from school that
we had to drive four miles to the BarC, (Dorn Ranch) to car pool
with some of the children there.
We went to school in Kent. There were two classrooms and an auditorium.
We had an enjoyable time. It was great to get to see the other children.
Although I didn't attend school there very long, I was always fascinated
with the building. At that time the service station, general store,
train depot, and a cafe (not open) were in operation. We had to
come into Kent to use the phone at the service station. Also, there
were pens where cattle could be shipped. I believe the Long X cattle
company was the main founder of the town. We also had dances, and
sometimes church services in the old school auditorium. - Kathleen
Carr, February 05, 2005
I lived in
Kent for eight years. My mother worked at the post office and my
father worked at the service station. I went to the school that
you picture . After it closed we had to be bused to Van Horn. It
was a great place to live as a youngster. I have a lot of memories
from Kent. - Jack Horton, July 04, 2004
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Van
Horn Hotels
Fort
Stockton Hotels
More Hotels
© John Troesser
|
|
|
