Kent, Ohio was originally named Franklin. In 1851 Marvin Kent founded the Franklin and Warren Railroad and served as its president, and that of its successor, the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, until 1864. Franklin, Ohio was renamed Kent in his honor. The Atlantic & Great Western eventually became part of the Erie.
The Erie mainline through Kent was still in relatively good condition in 1971. The Baltimore & Ohio main below crosses beneath the Erie shortly past the distant curve. Note the barely visible Erie semaphores in the distance.
