New Cordell’s agricultural roots in Southwest Oklahoma
New Cordell is a small farming community in the Great Plains of Oklahoma. Located nearly 100 miles west of Oklahoma City, this rural town of roughly 3,000 people sits among several streams and creeks in Washita County. Along with nearby farms growing crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and wheat, New Cordell also has local wildlife, churches and a highly rated school district while retaining its country charm and community spirit. “It’s a peaceful getaway from big-city life,” says Austin Rhodes, a local real estate agent based in Carnegie. “It’s big enough to where you have some basic necessities, but it’s still that small town where everybody knows everybody.”
Shopping and dining concentrated along Route 183 and Highway 152
Most restaurants and retailers, including fast food, convenience stores and auto shops, can be found along U.S. Route 183 and Oklahoma State Highway 152, which intersect in New Cordell. “There’s a little Mexican restaurant and a few smaller places to eat,” Rhodes says. “If you’re not in the mood to cook, you don’t have to drive hours to find food.” Restaurante Rios is a family-owned Tex-Mex spot that’s been serving homemade tacos and enchiladas since 2002, while Bean & Ladle is a coffee shop with a salad bar and buffets for breakfast and lunch. Farming equipment is available at Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply. Judah Food Bank and Thee Thrift Store offer low-cost goods and share weekly recipes on Facebook. Mike’s Meats carries specialty cuts and seasonings, and groceries are available at United Supermarkets and Dollar General.
Older homes with diverse architecture at competitive prices
On city blocks around the highway intersection, there are mainly older homes, many of which were built before the 1970s. New Cordell also has one of the lowest costs of living in the state, with a median sale price of $90,000. Fixer-upper properties from the early 1900s are less than 1,000 square feet and cost between $12,000 and $35,000, while bungalows and condominiums vary from $40,000 to $90,000. Traditional architecture is most prevalent, with some colonial, Craftsman, Victorian and ranch-style homes thrown into the mix. Sidewalks can sometimes be overgrown, and gravel driveways are common, while some houses also have sheds and carports. Homes with over 1,000 square feet and up to half-acre lots range from $100,000 to $200,000, while 2,000-square-foot houses built on acreage have barns and horse stables and can cost $200,000 to $400,000.
Local parks in town, with a wildlife refuge to the west
Cordell Public Park is in the center of town, with a large playground and a sand volleyball court. The Cordell Skate Park is directly north and has small ramps and rails next to a basketball court. There are also two tennis courts a few blocks away. The nine-hole Crooked Creek Golf Course is 3 miles west of the city, and in the same direction, the 240-acre Washita County Wildlife Management Area is a prominent fishing and hunting spot with wild game that includes white-tailed deer, quail and jackrabbits. “You have the wildlife refuge, but you also have the community pool that gets a decent draw around summertime,” Rhodes says. “They also have a little movie theater there, too.”
A-rated education in Cordell Public Schools
The Cordell Public Schools system earns an A-minus on Niche and is rated the top school district in Washita County for its teachers and academic programs. Cordell Elementary School teaches kindergarten through sixth grade, while Cordell Junior High School teaches seventh through ninth grade. Both schools score an A-minus. The B-rated Cordell High School has a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Local events include car shows, farmers markets and fall festivals
Residents put old clothes and appliances out on their front lawns for the town-wide garage sale in mid-June, while automobile enthusiasts show off their rides at the Coffee and Cars event in July. The annual Pumpkin Festival is held in early October and features a parade alongside pumpkin-flavored treats, while Spook the Square is a family-friendly trick-or-treating event that takes place on Halloween. The local chamber of commerce occasionally welcomes vendors at its farmers markets in Pocket Park as well.
A pair of rural highways and Red River Transportation
U.S. Route 183 and Oklahoma State Highway 152 are the main roadways in New Cordell, extending throughout Washita County. Red River Transportation provides rural transportation for the city from its Sayre office, costing between $8 and $80, depending on a ride's distance. Round-trips that amount to over 250 miles cost 40 cents per mile. Cordell Memorial Hospital is open 24 hours. OKC Will Rogers International Airport is around 98 miles east.
Storm shelters and weather preparedness
New Cordell has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the summer and dropping below zero in the winter. Many homes have storm shelters in place as refuges from the strong winds and tornadoes that occasionally blow through the area.
