Codell, Kansas

Codell is an unincorporated community in Rooks County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 49.[2]

Codell, Kansas
Unincorporated community
Codell Kansas Cyclone Day Memorial (2018)
Codell Kansas Cyclone Day Memorial (2018)
KDOT map of Rooks County (legend)
KDOT map of Rooks County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°11′43″N 99°10′12″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyRooks
TownshipTownship 12
Founded1887
Elevation
[1]
2,011 ft (613 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total49
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67663
Area code785
FIPS code20-14575
GNIS ID2804531[1]

History

Codell was established as a Union Pacific Railroad depot in 1887. Union Pacific could not reach agreement with the 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.[3]

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.[4]

Tornadoes

Codell is notable for its tornado history which earned it a mention in Ripley's Believe It or Not!. The community was hit by tornadoes on May 20 in three consecutive years: 1916, 1917 and 1918.[5]

The 1916 tornado, estimated at F2 intensity, passed east of Codell in the early evening.[6] The 1917 tornado reached F3 intensity and passed west of Codell, also in the early evening.[7] In 1918, Codell took a direct hit from an 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.[8]

Geography

Codell lies in Township 12 south of the city of Stockton (the county seat of Rooks County[9]) 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.[10]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
202049—
U.S. Decennial Census

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined this community as a census-designated place (CDP).

Education
Codell High School (est 1938)

Codell is served by USD 270 Plainville Schools.[11]

Codell High School was closed through school unification in 1965.[12] The Codell High School mascot was Codell Cougars.[13]

Arts and culture

Points of Interest
  • Cyclone Day Memorial constructed in 2018 and dedicated on the 100th anniversary of the last May 20 cyclone.[14]
  • Historic limestone school and Cougar Gymnasium constructed in 1938 as a WPA project.
  • Church building constructed in 1908. The building withstood the tornadoes of 1916, 1917 and 1918.
  • King Hill located four miles south of Codell on Codell Road. The picturesque view of the Saline Valley from King Hill was used in the closing scene of the movie Paper Moon. The Romine house, that was located in the Saline Valley, was the setting of Aunt Billie's home in the movie. The Paper Moon fight scene with Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal) and Leroy (Randy Quaid) was set at the Clair farm also in the Saline Valley near Codell.[15]

See also

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Codell, Kansas
  2. "Profile of Codell, Kansas (CDP) in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  4. Darland, H. O. "A History of Paradise Township", Plainville Times, 23 February 1961, p. 8.
  5. Heidorn, Keith C. (May 1, 2006). "Three Strikes on Codell". The Weather Doctor's Weather Almanac. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  6. "CYCONE SAT. EVENING". Plainville Times. Vol. 12, no. 26. May 25, 1916. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  7. "DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO". Plainville Times. Vol. 13, no. 26. May 24, 1917. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  8. "Tornado Traverses Trego, Ellis, Rooks and Osborne Counties. Ten Killed, Scores of Injured. Property Damage in Million. Codell in Part Ruins". Plainville Times. Vol. 14, no. 27. May 23, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  9. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  10. DeLorme. Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer. 4th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2009, 32. ISBN 0-89933-342-7.
  11. "Plainville USD 270". USD 270. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  12. "Patrons Vote To Close Codell High At End of Present Term", Plainville Times, 4 February 1965, p.1.
  13. "Lincoln Branch Tourney Tuesday at Russell Gym", The Salina Journal, 11 February 1951, p.18.
  14. "100 years later trades devastation for a grand celebration", Plainville Times, May 24, 2018, p. 1.
  15. "Paper Moon". IMDb. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Rooks County, Kansas
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