25 Years Ago June 7, 1995
Community Square Program Initiated By Cordell Council
The time is right for development in downtown Cordell
Ṁonday night the Cordell City Council tentatively approved a major development concept entitled “Community Square,” which involves the establishment of a downtown “pocket park” and the purchase and restoration of the Washita Theater. The four members of the council - Cliff Corbin, Steve Craig, Cary Cunningham, and Jim Price - left themselves an opportunity to change their minds if public opinion is against the “Community Square” idea. It will formally be up for a vote at the June 19 city council meeting.
Main Street, Inc. Manager Devery Youngblood, who made the presentation to the council, said the First National Bank has agreed to lease the small parking lot on the corner of Market Street to the city for $1 per year. The lot will be torn up and in its place a 7,000 square foot park will be builty. City Attorney Mark Wesner said the lease will be guaranteed for 50 years.
Tulsa architect Keith Franklin, who also designed the city’s streetscape project, has developed an idea for a small plaza, which would feature the commemorative bricks being sold by the city and Main Street as part of the Streetscape project.
It Rained In Washita County
“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day,” are the words to a popular children’s nursery rhyme and the sentiments of county residents.
Washita County rainfall reports for the last five to seven days puts the county under eight to 12 inches of rain water and the farmers are feeling it the most.
In Canute, some areas received the most rainfall of 12 inches since Saturday. Storms moving through the area put a halt to cotton planting, which is generally in full swing by this time of year.
Burns Flat Co-op gin manager J.T. Piercey reported nine to 10 inches of rain fell over the weekend leaving all 1,500 acres of planted cotton washed away.
“All 1,500 acres will have to be replanted,” added Piercey and the late planting will force the cotton crop to be late this season.
“If the weather cooperates with us, we should be alright,” added Piercey.
And Piercey added if the dry weather holds, cotton farmers should be able to start planting in a couple of days in the high spots, but the low spots will take more drying out time and some acres will remain underwater for a long time.
Bonny Authors Bill To Recognize Highway 152 As “Scenic Route Of Western Oklahoma”
Burns Flat State Representative Jack Bonny, along with eight other legislators, recently authored House Resolution No. 1035, a document which would make State Highway 152 the “Scenic Route Of Western Oklahoma.”
Bonny said he hopes the measure will increase trade and commerce in the communities along 152, including the Washita County seat of Cordell.
House Resolution No. 1035 says Highway 152 features a “rich and varied history reflecteing diverse multicultural heritages, fascinating historical sites, delightful shops and contrasting landscapes.” It goes on to say, “innovative ways need to be created to stimulate and enhance the economy in rural Oklahoma communities so that their uniqueness and vitality will be sustained.”
Bonny said he hopes the new title will entice travelers and sightseers to drive Highway 152.
“People might look at a map and see that 152 is the ‘Scenic Route Of Western Oklahoma’ and take that route instead of I-40,” Bonny said.
50 Years Ago June 4, 1970
Rains Stall County’s ‘70 Wheat Harvest; Grain Waits For Sun
Sure enough, the harvest rains came.
Old timers may not be able to predict rain any other time of the year, but they just never miss -- at wheat harvest time.
Despite last week’s rains, attempts at getting the small grain harvest under way were made in Washita County last weekend, but with meager results.
Lawrence Penner of Cordell was the first to bring wheat to a county elevator in 1970. He brought 99 bushels to the General Mills elevator in Cordell last Saturday, May 30. Moisture content was 19 percent.
Roy Whatley, the elevator manager, said several brought in samples that had 18 to 19 percent moisture content.
“I told them to stop cutting it until it dries up some,” he said.
Allum’s Elevator, Inc., of Dill City, reported the first load to that elevator was brought in by Alfred Twyman, who lives northwest of Dill City. The load totalled 277 bushels. The test weight was 60 pounds and the moisture content was 15 percent.
MODA Gets Golf Course
The Midwestern Oklahoma Development Authority (MODA) acqured control of the golf course and Clinton-Sherman Air Base Tuesday night.
The city of Clinton, which owns the land, obtained a lease from the corps of Army engineers and assigned the lease to MODA which will have control of the golf course.
Actual operation of the golf course, however, will be under supervision of the newly organized Midwestern Oklahoma Golfers Association.
J.T. Burns, an Oklahoma City golf pro, has been hired as the new pro for the course and is on duty this week.
Rual C. Denton, a leader in the effort to acquire and continue the golf course, said Wednesday that Doyle Sutton of Rocky has been hired as greenskeeper. He formerly held the same position with the Air Force.
Denton said the course is in “superb condition.”