Connell

History

Prior to 1883, the area known as Connell was used by ranchers as open range for cattle and horses. The community was established in 1883 as a junction between the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. The new town was called Palouse Junction by Jacob Cornelius Connell, a railroad official and resident. Palouse Junction was unique on the Ainsworth—Spokane line, in that it was not on a river. It was also the gateway to the Palouse via the OR&N's line to Washtucna. Water for trains and for the town was from public wells dug by the railroad. At some time between 1886 and 1900, the town was renamed to Connell. The Northern Pacific Railroad ceased service to the station in 1890, but the Union Pacific Railroad took over the station in 1901, and the town began to grow again. A school district was formed sometime between 1900 and 1904. In 1902 the Franklin County Bank was Incorporated in Connell, and the Connell Land and Improvement Company was established. Also in that year, the county allowed a franchisee to begin piping in water for the town. The attempts to bring water into the town were found lacking and the following year a well was dug that hit water at . In 1903, lots on the west side of the tracks were sold, and a new commercial district began to grow; a number of existing buildings were moved to the new lots. By this time, the town rivaled Pasco in importance in Franklin County. Unfortunately, much of the business district was destroyed by fire in July 1905. The destroyed sections were quickly rebuilt using brick. Connell was officially incorporated on November 28, 1910. Dryland wheat farming was the lifeblood of Connell through most of the twentieth century. The primary industrial base is agricultural chemicals and the Coyote…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The site of the town is located in a depression formed by the convergence of Providence Coulee, coming from the north, Washtucna Coulee from the east, and Esquatzel Coulee to the southeast. Terrain rises a few hundred feet from the floor of the coulees to the higher land surrounding Connell. Ephemeral streams flow through these coulees. U.S. Route 395 passes through Connell, connecting the town with Interstate 90 at Ritzville to the northeast and Interstate 82 at the Tri-Cities to the southwest. State Route 260 begins a few miles west of Connell and passes through the town as it heads east along Washtucna Coulee to Washtucna. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Connell has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. It is the least snowy city in Eastern Washington, on average.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Connell High School
  High · Connell · 579 students · 17.5:1 ratio
• Connell Elem
  Elementary · Connell · 506 students · 17.4:1 ratio
• Robert L Olds Junior High School
  Middle · Connell · 327 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• Mesa Elem
  Elementary · Mesa · 192 students · 12:1 ratio
• Palouse Junction High School
  High · Connell · 36 students · 18:1 ratio
• North Franklin Virtual Academy
  Other · Connell · 33 students · 33:1 ratio
• Connell Preschool
  Other · Connell · 28 students
• CRCC-Open Doors
  High · Connell