Skip to Main Content

Kenton, Ohio: Home of the Gene Autry Repeating Cap Pistol

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.

Address:
Franklin St., Kenton, OH
Directions:
Northeast corner of Franklin St. (State Route 309) and Market St.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Home of the Gene Autry Repeating Cap Pistol

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Gene Autry Mural.

Gene Autry Mural

The mural forms the back wall of a charming little park plaza. There are seats, cacti and a very nice marble monument.

[Kitsa, 07/16/2017]

Gene Autry mural.

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]

July 2013: Photo added.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Wilson Football Factory TourWilson Football Factory Tour, Ada, OH - 14 mi.
Ghost TownGhost Town, Findlay, OH - 22 mi.
1964 World's Fair 1964 World's Fair "Peace Through Understanding" Arches, Huntsville, OH - 16 mi.
In the region:
Big Space Helmet and Moonprint, Wapakoneta, OH - 31 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Ohio Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings