Codell, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Codell, Kansas
|
|
|---|---|
Codell Kansas Cyclone Day Memorial (2018)
|
|
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Rooks |
| Township | Township 12 |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Elevation | 2,011 ft (613 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 49 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67663
|
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-14575 |
| GNIS ID | 2804531 |
Codell is a small community in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a special area the government counts for population. In 2020, 49 people lived in Codell.
Contents
History of Codell, Kansas
Codell started as a Union Pacific Railroad train stop in 1887. The railroad could not agree with the nearby town of Motor. So, Union Pacific decided to build Codell instead. It was about three-quarters of a mile west of Motor.
The post office from Motor moved to Codell in 1888. Soon, many buildings from Motor were moved to Codell too. This caused Motor to become an abandoned town. In its early days, Codell was a busy place. It had a school, several churches, and a business area. There was a bank, a telephone office, and a lumber yard. People could also find a grain elevator, stores, a doctor, and a barber.
Codell's Tornado History
Codell is famous for its unusual tornado history. It even got a mention in Ripley's Believe It or Not!. This is because tornadoes hit the community on May 20 in three years in a row: 1916, 1917, and 1918.
The 1916 tornado was an F2 strength storm. It passed just east of Codell in the early evening. In 1917, an F3 tornado hit west of Codell. It also happened in the early evening. Then, in 1918, a very strong F4 tornado struck Codell directly. This happened just after dark. The school, a church, a hotel, and many homes were completely destroyed. Many other buildings were badly damaged. Even though the school was rebuilt, and a new high school opened in 1938, the town never fully recovered from the 1918 tornado.
Geography of Codell
Codell is located in Township 12. It is south of Stockton, which is the main town of Rooks County. Codell is also near the southeast corner of Rooks County. The community sits along Paradise Creek and an old railroad line.
The closest city is Plainville. It is about 9 miles northwest by road. Codell is connected to a state highway, K-18, by 24 Road. This highway is about 1 mile north of Codell.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 49 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The 2020 United States census counted 49 people living in Codell. There were 16 households and 11 families. Most people living there were white (95.92%). About 4.08% were from two or more races. No one identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Of the 16 households, 18.8% had children under 18. More than half (56.2%) were married couples. About 25.0% had a female head of household without a partner. About 31.2% of households were single people. Also, 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household had 2.2 people. The average family also had 2.2 people. About 53.1% of the population had a college degree or higher.
The population's age groups varied. About 16.3% were under 18. Another 14.3% were 18 to 24. About 16.3% were 25 to 44. The largest group, 40.8%, was 45 to 64. Finally, 12.2% were 65 or older. The average age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were about 104 males.
From 2016 to 2020, the average household income was $73,512. The average family income was also $73,512. Men had an average income of $41,071. The average income for people over 16 was $40,536.
Education in Codell
Codell is part of USD 270 Plainville Schools. Codell High School closed in 1965. This happened because schools were combined into larger districts. The school's mascot was the Codell Cougars.
Arts and Culture
Places to Visit in Codell
- Cyclone Day Memorial: This memorial was built in 2018. It marks 100 years since the last May 20 tornado.
- Historic Limestone School and Cougar Gymnasium: This building was constructed in 1938. It was part of a WPA project.
- Church Building: Built in 1908, this church survived all three tornadoes in 1916, 1917, and 1918.
- King Hill: Located four miles south of Codell. This spot offers a beautiful view of the Saline Valley. It was used in the movie Paper Moon. The Romine house, also in the Saline Valley, was Aunt Billie's home in the movie. A fight scene from Paper Moon also took place near Codell.
