A Very Short History of Wichita Falls

Early Inhabitants and Exploration

• Mid 18th century migration to North Texas by Caddoan Indians, primarily Wichitas and Taovayas.
• Other tribes: Apaches, Comanches, and Tejas.
• European explorers included:
  • Athanase de Mézières (Spanish Indian trader)
  • Pedro Vial and José Mares (developed trails from San Antonio to Santa Fe in 1786-1787)
  • Texan Santa Fe expedition members in 1841.

Founding and Development

• City Founding:
  • Wichita Falls established with a town lot sale on September 27th, 1882.
  • Arrival of Ft. Worth & Denver railroad transformed the city into a market center.
  • Enabled cattle and farm produce to reach national markets.
• Economic Growth:
  • Early economy driven by farming and ranching.
  • Corn was the original cash crop, with wheat surpassing it by early 1900s.
  • Frank Kell was instrumental in establishing wheat milling operations.

Industrial and Cultural Growth

• Nicknamed "Factory City" by 1950s with over 100 manufacturing companies.
• Cultural life included movies, vaudeville, live theatre, and concerts at the Wichita Opera House.

Notable Firsts

• First United Methodist Church built in 1881.
• Schools established by 1890; first automobile arrived in 1907.
• Regular streetcar service from 1909 to 1933.
• First manmade lake in Texas, Lake Wichita, built for city water supply.
• First Texas city with natural gas service and motorized fire trucks.

Aeronautical History

• 1911 began Wichita Falls' aeronautical history with visits from pioneers like Louis Bleriot.
• Staley Field was visited by Frank Hawk on the first transcontinental glider flight in 1930.
• Amelia Earhart's visit in 1931 with her Beechnut Autogyro.
• Call Field (WWI Army Air Corps training) and Sheppard Field (later Air Force Base) were significant military installations.
• In 1945, Sheppard Field was the largest concentration of air troops globally.

Oil Boom and Education

• Oil discovery in 1918 in Burkburnett led to regional oil exploration boom.
• Companies like Texaco, Gulf, and Mobil Oil were involved.
• Expansion in the 1930s included the Municipal Airport and Hardin Junior College (now Midwestern State University).

Natural Disasters and Recovery

• 1979 tornado was one of Texas' worst, leaving 10,000 homeless.
• Recognized for rapid recovery by National Municipal League as an All America City in 1981.

Modern Developments

• Wichita Falls waterfall built in 1986 and dedicated in 1987, replacing the original washed away by a flood.
• Falls are a centerpiece of Lucy Park, with multiple amenities.
• Received Tree City USA Awards in 1996, 1997, and 1998.