Kenton, Oklahoma

Kenton is a census designated place (CDP) in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States. There is a store, "The Merc", bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, three church congregations, and a post office, which was established May 12, 1891. Kenton is the only Oklahoma community that observes Mountain Time, which legally begins a few miles west at the Oklahoma/New Mexico state line. To avoid confusion, "Mountain Time" is often added when giving the time to visitors. Posted business hours all end with "MT" or "MST" to specify Mountain Time. From Kenton, it is approximately south to Amarillo, Texas, northwest to Colorado Springs, Colorado, northwest to Denver, Colorado, southwest to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and southeast to Oklahoma City, the nearest major population centers. Camp Billy Joe, just east of Kenton, is home to the annual fall week long star party sponsored by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club which draws approximately 500 visitors and is rated as among the largest and best such astronomy event in the nation.Kenton had 17 residents at the 2010 census. Kenton, which lies in the Cimarron River valley, is just south of Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma. It serves as an unofficial staging point for visitors to Black Mesa.