Kamay, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kamay
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| Nickname(s):
kayema
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 Kamay
Location in Texas
Kamay
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Wichita |
| Elevation | 1,033 ft (315 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 640 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
76369
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Kamay (pronounced KAY-may) is a small place in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government, unlike a big city. In the year 2000, about 640 people lived in Kamay.
Kamay is also part of the larger Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes Wichita Falls and the communities around it.
Contents
Where is Kamay Located?
Kamay is found in the southwestern part of Wichita County, Texas. It is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of the city of Wichita Falls. You can reach Kamay by using State Highway 258. The land in Kamay is about 1,033 feet (315 meters) above sea level. This means it is quite a bit higher than the ocean.
Kamay's Interesting History
The story of Kamay began in 1912. Three men, Joseph A. Kemp, W. Munger, and Reese S. Allen, started a company. They bought 1,000 acres (about 4 square kilometers) of land near the Wichita River. Their plan was to sell this land to others.
The K-M-A Oil Company
By the 1920s, people became very interested in finding oil in the area. So, the K-M-A Oil Company was created. The name "K-M-A" came from the first letter of each of the three founders' last names: Kemp, Munger, and Allen. This company helped the area grow a lot.
How Kamay Got Its Name
The community that grew around the oil fields was first called Kemp City in 1928. Within ten years, more than 100 oil wells were working there. But the name changed again in the 1930s. There was already a post office in Texas named Kemp. Also, using just the initials K-M-A was not allowed for a town name. So, the name Kamay was chosen to solve this problem. Even though Kamay became the official name, some people still called it Kemp City.
Kamay's Population Over Time
Kamay was at its busiest in the 1940s. At that time, about 700 people lived there, and it had 21 businesses. By the mid-1950s, the number of businesses grew to 27. However, by 2000, the population had gone down to about 640 people. There were only seven businesses left in the community.
Education in Kamay
Students who live in Kamay attend schools that are part of the Iowa Park Consolidated Independent School District. This school district serves several communities in the area.
