Codell, Kansas

Codell, Kansas
Unincorporated community

Codell Community Park (2016)

KDOT map of Rooks County (legend)
Coordinates: Coordinates: 39°11′36″N 99°10′38″W / 39.19333°N 99.17722°W / 39.19333; -99.17722
Country United States
State Kansas
County Rooks
Township Township 12
Founded 1887
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 67663
Area code 785

Codell is an unincorporated community in Rooks County, Kansas, United States.

History

Codell was established as a Union Pacific Railroad depot in 1887. Union Pacific could not reach agreement with the nearby town of Motor, so Union Pacific established the community of Codell three-quarters of a mile west of Motor. The Motor Post Office, originally established as Floreyville in 1875, was moved to Codell in 1888. The frame buildings in Motor were moved to Codell and Motor was soon abandoned.[1]

Early in its history Codell had a school, multiple churches and a business district with a bank, telephone central office, lumber yard, grain elevator, several stores, a doctor and a barber.[2]

Codell is notable for its exceptional tornado history which earned it mention in Ripley's Believe It or Not!. The community was hit by tornadoes on May 20 in three successive years: 1916, 1917 and 1918.[3]

The 1916 tornado was a F2 passing east of Codell in the early evening.[4] The 1917 tornado was a F3 passing west of Codell also in the early evening.[5] In 1918, Codell took a direct hit from a F4 tornado just after dark. The school, M. E. church, hotel and several residences were completely destroyed. Many more buildings were badly damaged. Although the school was rebuilt and a new high school was built in 1938, the town never fully recovered from the devastation of the 1918 tornado.[6]

Geography

Codell lies in the middle of the double township of Paradise, south of the city of Stockton (the county seat of Rooks County[7]) and near the southeastern corner of Rooks County. The community lies along the banks of Paradise Creek and an abandoned railroad line. The nearest city, Plainville, lies approximately 9 miles (14 km) away to the northwest by road; the community is connected via 24 Road to a state highway, K-18, which lies approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north.[8]

Education

Codell High School (est 1938)

Codell is served by USD 270 Plainville Schools.[9]

Codell High School was closed through school unification in 1965.[10] The Codell High School mascot was Codell Cougars.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. ↑ Darland, H. O. "A History of Paradise Township", Plainville Times, 23 February 1961, p. 8.
  3. ↑ http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2006/alm06may.htm
  4. ↑ "CYCONE SAT. EVENING", Plainville Times, 25 May 1916, p. 1.
  5. ↑ "DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO", Plainville Times, 24 May 1917, pp. 1, 5.
  6. ↑ "Tornado Traverses Trego, Ellis, Rooks and Osborne Counties. Ten Killed, Scores of Injured. Property Damage in Million. Codell in Part Ruins.", Plainville Times, 23 May 1918, p. 1.
  7. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. ↑ DeLorme. Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer. 4th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2009, 32. ISBN 0-89933-342-7.
  9. ↑ "Plainville USD 270". USD 270. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Patrons Vote To Close Codell High At End of Present Term", Plainville Times, 4 February 1965, p.1.
  11. ↑ "Lincoln Branch Tourney Tuesday at Russell Gym", The Salina Journal, 11 February 1951, p.18.
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