Cordell, OK

Cordell is a small town located in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The population was 1,812 at the 2010 census. Cordell is home to the Cordell Public Library and the Cordell Civic Center.

The town of Cordell was founded in 1892 by J.D. and Lizzie (Ferguson) Cordell. The town was named for Dr. James Doolittle Cordell, a doctor who served in the Civil War and later practiced medicine in Pottawatomie County. The first business opened in Cordell was a general store operated by J.D. and Lizzie (Ferguson) Cordell. In 1895, J.D., Lizzie, and their son-in-law, Wm Hargrave opened the first bank in town, which became known as the First National Bank of Cordell.

In 1907, A&P Grocery opened its doors on Main Street in downtown Cordell; it is now known as Walmart Supercenter #2128. In 1910, the first movie theater opened in downtown Cordel; it is now known as The Palace Theatre & Café́́́́́́́èo de la Cinematheque de Oklahoma #2128 (formerly known as Roxy Theatre).

In 1922, construction began on what would become one of the most iconic buildings in downtown cordell – The Hotel Durant (now known as The Durant Hotel). Opened that same year as a luxury hotel with 50 rooms and an auditorium seating 200 people, it quickly became one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Pottawatomie County due to its location close to shopping areas such as Main Street and Broadway Avenue (now called "The Strip").

In 1949, construction began on what would become one of the largest shopping centers ever built – The Plaza Shopping Center – which included stores such as Sears Roebuck & Co., Woolworths Department Store (now Macy's), Kresge's Department Store (now Target), JCPenney Department Store (now Kohl's), Montgomery Ward & Co., Kroger Grocery Stores Incorporated (later merged into Safeway), A&P Grocery Stores Incorporated again (later merged into Albertsons), Roy Rogers Restaurants Incorporated (#1 restaurant open from 1927 until his death in 1998; Roy Rogers Museum now occupies this building), Miller Drug Stores Incorporated (#1 drugstore open from 1902 until its closure during 2001; now occupied by Rite Aid Pharmacy)), Carter Oil Company Office Building (#1 oil company office building open from 1922 until its closure during 2001)), Sunoco Gas Station (#1 gas station open from 1921 until its closure during 2001)), American Legion Post #527 (#1 American Legion post open from 1924 until its closure during 2002)), Baptist Church (#1 Baptist church open since 1906)).

The Plaza Shopping Center continued to grow over time and eventually included more than 60 stores including Kmart Corporation (#2 largest retailer headquartered outside of America; closed on February 3rd 2017]), Target Corporation (#3 largest retailer headquartered outside of America; replaced Sears Roebuck & Co.), Home Depot Corporation (#4 largest retailer headquartered outside of America; replaced Kroger Grocery Stores Incorporated), Lowe's Companies Incorporated (#5 largest retailer headquartered outside of America; replaced Sears Roebuck & Co.), Michaels Companies LLC (@Michaels Arts & Crafts store located inside Plaza Shopping Center since 2006)) , Starbucks Corporation (@Starbucks Coffee located inside Plaza Shopping Center since 1987)), PetSmart Charities (@PetSmart Charities animal shelter located inside Plaza Shopping Center since 2003)), Bed Bath & Beyond Corp.(@Bed Bath & Beyond corporate headquarters located inside plaza shopping center since 1992)) , Apple Inc.(@Apple Retail Store located inside plaza shopping center since 2003)). In addition to these major retailers there are many other smaller businesses that have been part of The Plaza Shopping Center over time including RadioShack Corporation (@RadioShack retail store closed permanently on September 24th 2016), Payless ShoeSource @Payless ShoeSource discount shoe store operated out side main entrance near Toys "R" Us that has been operating continuously since 1978 ), CVS Pharmacy (@CVS Pharmacy pharmacy location within plaza shopping center since 1984) . There are also several restaurants within walking distance including Ruby Tuesday Steakhouse @Ruby Tuesday steakhouse restaurant which has been operating continuously at this location since 1983 ), Olive Garden Italian Restaurant @Olive Garden Italian restaurant which has been operating continuously at this location since 1981 ), Red Lobster Seafood Restaurants @Red Lobster seafood restaurants which have been operating continuously at this location since 1975 ). There are also several banks including Wells Fargo Bank NA (@Wells Fargo Bank branch office located within plaza shopping centersince 1985) .

Today, much like when it was founded over 100 years ago, downtown cordelle continues to be a vibrant community with many businesses serving residents and visitors alike while offering easy access to everything they need without having to leave town .