Interesting Kansas History By Sharon Black

Interesting Kansas History

Sharon loves history and theater. Here are a couple of short pieces.

What are the chances of a tornado striking a town three consecutive years?

This happened in Codell Kansas on May 20, 1916 , 1917 ,and 1918.

Now there stands an art sculpture of a tornado with the years and the date.

May can be the most active month for tornadoes in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, and it is stated that a tornado can happen any month of the year.

Codell, Kansas, a small community nestled in the heart of the Great Plains, has a tumultuous history shaped by the forces of nature, particularly tornadoes. Situated in what is commonly referred to as Tornado Alley, Codell has faced numerous tornadoes throughout its existence, with some leaving lasting scars on the town and its residents.

One of the most significant tornado events in Codell’s history occurred on May 20, 1916. On that fateful day, a powerful tornado tore through the town, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. With winds estimated to have reached speeds of over 200 miles per hour, the tornado wreaked havoc on Codell, leveling buildings, homes, and crops in its path.

The aftermath of the 1916 tornado was devastating, with many residents left homeless and communities in shock at the extent of the damage. Despite the challenges they faced, the people of Codell rallied together, demonstrating remarkable resilience and strength in the face of adversity. They rebuilt their town from the ground up, turning tragedy into an opportunity for renewal and growth.

Since the 1916 tornado, Codell has experienced several other significant tornado events, each leaving its mark on the community. While these storms have brought hardship and loss, they have also served as reminders of the importance of preparedness, community solidarity, and resilience in the face of natural disasters.

Today, Codell continues to honor its tornado history while also taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of future storms. The town’s emergency management efforts, including early warning systems, storm shelters, and community preparedness initiatives, reflect its commitment to safeguarding residents and property against the destructive forces of nature.

Despite the challenges posed by tornadoes, Codell remains a tight-knit community with a strong sense of identity and pride. Its resilience in the face of adversity serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its residents and their unwavering determination to overcome whatever challenges come their way.

Ellis Trail to Nicodemus

Ellis Trail To Nicodemus

Whereas, we the colored people of Lexington, Kentucky, knowing that there is an abundance of choice lands now belonging to the government, have assembled ourselves together for the purpose of locating on said lands. Therefore, this colony has agreed to consolidate itself with the Nicodemus towns, Solomon Valley, Graham County, Kansas, and can only do so, by entering the vacant lands now in their midst, which cost five dollars.

Those printed words on a flyer September 5, 1877 began a wonderful story Ellis Trail to Nicodemus, which was made, mainly by walking, 35 miles.

Nicodemus Kansas is an all-black town still thriving today, and the descendants have produced a documentary by the Nicodemus Historical Society and Abt Films.

The premier screening was in Hill City , Kansas in the Frontier Stage Theater on February 17 at noon.

The cast and crew took up the first few rows of seats, and It was shown to a full house.

Angela Bates, well known in the area was executive producer and writer of the film and past Executives Director of the Nicodemus Historical Society. She was the MC of the event, and introduced cast and crew, and spoke about the making of the film.

Sharon Black

Sharon Black has been writing for many years including newspapers, short stories, and as a publisher. She was born in Nebraska and has lived in Kansas most of her life. In her hometown of Smith Center, Kansas,  Willa Cather’s hometown is to the north and Bob Dole’s hometown is to the south. Sharon is a press release writer for the National Parks Arts Foundation and writes for b U n e k e  magazine. The biggest project she has accomplished is the co-writer of the TV movie Home on the Range. The movie is about the song, which is the state song of Kansas and the lawsuit surrounding it in the 1930s and finding the rightful author of the song. Sharon is distantly related to the Mississippi writer Eudora Welty.