a look back into our archives
10 years ago
On the week of July 27, 2011, the Cordell Skate Park opened after three years of hard work.
Beacon Readers were encouraged to share “Pearl Harbor” stories for the upcoming special edition of The Beacon. The Special Edition would give a voice to residents who lived through the date.
The dates for the 2011 Washita County Fair were announced, featuring a multitude of activities from Aug 17, to Aug 20. Among the activities were a concert featuring Curtis Grimes, pet parade, barnyard olympics, and insect zoo.
Trash Pickup was moved to an earlier time for the summer months to protect Allied Waste employees from the scorching heat.
The Clinton Social Security Office announced that they would be open for fewer hours, closing 30 minutes earliser than normal each weekday. Thirty-nine young adults with Bike and
Thirty-nine young adults with Bike and Build Inc., a national nonprofit organization committed to affordable housing, would pass through Cordell on Friday, July 29. The group planned to spend the night at the Cordell United Methodist Church as they made the journey from Portland, Maine to Santa Barbara, California on their bicycles.
20 years ago
On the week of July 18, 2001, a broken pipe in the basement of the Cordell City Office caused severe damage to old city records, completely destroying some. At one point the water was approximately 10 feet deep in the basement.
In their regular monthly meeting, Cordell City Council voted to lease some of their land, and sell surplus property. In this meeting, board members also approved Keith Gerlach’s resignation from the Cordell Historic Preservation Commission and confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Janne Brumbelow to that commission.
Community volunteers helped accelerate the plans for Cordell’s Open House Event on July 28. The event was meant to encourage new homeowners to settle in Cordell by showcasing many parts of the town and offering coupons for substantial homebuyer incentives.
Shawn L. Deil was named the new manager of Wheeler Bros. Grain in Cordell and Dill City.
The School board meeting agenda was released, the board planned to open and discuss bids for a junior high/high school roofing project, and read bids on an eight passenger vehicle.
40 years ago
On the week of July 15, 1981, assets at the county’s eight banks were nearing $169 million. Bankers all agreed oil and gas leasing, drilling, and related activities provided much of the last year’s growth.
James Paul Wright, a driver from Hobart, faced 3 criminal charges of negligent homicide after a traffic accident Thursday, July 9th.
City police solved a series of burglaries and thefts, pinning down two juveniles and one adult for at least 17 crimes. As of press time the investigation was ongoing, with one or two other persons having possible involvement.
58 pints of blood were donated during the Red Cross blood drive, falling short of the goal for 120 units.
The Cordell Beacon observed it’s 84th birthday, holding its position as one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in Washita County. The Beacon never missed an issue during the 84 years of service, regardless of blizzards, floods, heat waves, and droughts.
The General Mills elevator reported the price of wheat per bushel in Cordell at $3.69, unchanged from the day prior, and down six cents from the week before.
1994
