Kenton, Ohio: Gene Autry Mural

Kenton Hardware Company manufactured wildly popular Gene Autry repeating cap guns in the 1930s. The mural depicts the singing cowboy actor waving his hat as his horse rears up in front of the factory.

Gene Autry Mural

In the 1930s, while Gene Autry was at the height of his film career, the Kenton Hardware Company, came upon hard times. The toy manufacturer was the only industry in Kenton, Ohio. In 1936, the company received a contract to produce Gene Autry repeating cap guns. The Gene Autry cap gun became the most wanted toy in America! Besides bringing back all their workers, they had to hire considerably more as shifts were added to meet the huge demand.

Records indicate that over 6 million Gene Autry guns were manufactured. In his autobiography Back in the Saddle Again, Autry suggests that it was this toy that reversed an economic decline and "Saved Kenton." Autry's visit to Kenton on August 8, 1938 remains a high spot in local history.

This mural pays tribute to the only person to have stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his relationship with the renowned Kenton Hardware Company.

For an audio history of the Mural, call 419-675-4098

[Angela, 05/06/2011]