  We provide a new distance estimate to the supernova remnant (SNR) Kes 73 and
its associated anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 1E 1841-045. 21 cm HI images and HI
absorption/ emission spectra from new VLA observations, and 13CO emission
spectra of Kes 73 and two adjacent compact HII regions (G27.276+0.148 and
G27.491+0.189) are analyzed. The HI images show prominent absorption features
associated with Kes 73 and the HII regions. The absorption appears up to the
tangent point velocity giving a lower distance limit to Kes 73 of 7.5 kpc,
which has previously been given as the upper limit. Also, G27.276+0.148 and
G27.491+0.189 are at the far kinematic distances of their radio recombination
line velocities. There is prominent HI emission in the range 80--90 km/s for
all three objects. The two HII regions show HI absorption at ~ 84 km/s, but
there is no absorption in the Kes 73 absorption spectrum. This implies an upper
distance limit of ~ 9.8 kpc to Kes 73. This corrected larger distance to Kes
73/ AXP 1E 1841-045 system leads to a refined age of the SNR of 500 to 1000 yr,
and a ~ 50% larger AXP X-ray luminosity.
