Kent, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kent, Texas
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Ruins of Kent Public School
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 Kent, Texas
Location in Texas
Kent, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Culberson |
| Elevation | 4,206 ft (1,282 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 60 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79855
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| Area code(s) | 432 |
Kent is a small, quiet place in Culberson County, Texas, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community, which means it does not have its own local government. According to the Handbook of Texas, only about 60 people lived there in the year 2000.
Contents
History of Kent, Texas
Kent was first settled before 1892. The area was originally called Antelope. This name came from the many antelope that lived there.
Early Days and Growth
A post office was planned for Kent in 1892, but it never opened. A new post office was successfully started in 1893. John Charles Rickli became its first postmaster.
By 1896, two cattle businesses were operating in Kent. The town grew a bit more by 1914. At that time, there were four cattle breeders and a general store. About 25 people lived in Kent then.
Population Changes Over Time
From 1924, Kent's population stayed around 50 people for 40 years. The post office eventually closed in 1960. In the late 1960s, Kent had about 65 residents and four businesses.
However, the population began to drop. By the mid-1970s, it was down to 60 people. This number stayed the same until the year 2000. At that time, there were still six businesses in Kent.
A Famous Glider Flight
In 1959, a special event happened near Kent. A pilot named Harland Ross flew a glider called the Ross R-6. He flew it solo from Kent all the way to Farley, New Mexico. This impressive flight helped him win the Barringer Trophy. It also completed his "Diamond badge," which was a big achievement in gliding.
Geography of Kent
Kent is located in southeastern Culberson County. It sits where several major roads meet. These include Interstate 10, Interstate 20, Texas State Highway 118, and Farm to Market Road 2424. The Missouri Pacific Railroad also runs through Kent.
Kent is about 36 miles (58 km) east of Van Horn. It is also 152 miles (245 km) east of El Paso. To the west, it is 81 miles (130 km) from Fort Stockton.
Climate in Kent
Kent has a semiarid climate. This means it is usually dry, but not a true desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot. On climate maps, this type of weather is often shown as BSk.
Education in Kent
The local school in Kent closed its doors in 1961. Today, students in the area attend schools in the Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District.
