Wichita Falls history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Wichita Falls dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The city owes its name to a small waterfall on the Wichita River, which was an important landmark for early travelers. Interestingly, the original waterfall was washed away by a severe flood in 1886, shortly after the city's founding, and was artificially restored only a century later.

The city's actual birthday is considered to be September 27, 1882. It was on this day that large-scale land auctions took place here, timed to coincide with the arrival of the first train of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway. This event instantly turned a sparsely populated territory into a promising settlement.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Wichita Falls was determined by a successful combination of geography and infrastructure:

• Railway Hub: The arrival of the railway became the main catalyst for growth, connecting the isolated ranches of North Texas with major sales markets.
• Water Resources: The presence of the Wichita River in the region's arid climate was a critically important condition for life and farming.
• Strategic Location: The city was successfully situated near the border with Oklahoma, becoming a natural trade hub for two states.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the economy of Wichita Falls was based exclusively on agriculture. The city served as the main supply and distribution center for the numerous cattle ranches surrounding it. Cattle trading flourished here, followed a little later by the cultivation of cotton and grain crops.

Culturally, it was a typical frontier town where life revolved around the railway station and trade warehouses. The situation changed radically only in the early 20th century with the discovery of oil fields, but the initial foundation of Wichita Falls' prosperity was laid by farmers and cattlemen.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1882 — Arrival of the first Fort Worth — Denver train and official sale of land plots, marking the birth of the city.
• 1883 — Wichita Falls is officially proclaimed the administrative center of Wichita County.
• 1886 — A severe flood destroys the natural waterfall on the river, after which the settlement was named.
• 1911 — The discovery of the Electra oil field nearby launches the first stage of the region's economic flourishing.
• 1918 — The oil boom in neighboring Burkburnett turns the city into a key logistics and business center of North Texas.
• 1919 — Completion of the construction of the "World's Littlest Skyscraper," which became a legendary architectural curiosity of the boom era.
• 1941 — Founding of an aviation training center, which later transformed into Sheppard Air Force Base, becoming the city's largest employer.
• 1961 — The local college receives state institution status and is renamed Midwestern State University.
• 1979 — The city experiences a devastating tornado, followed by a period of large-scale reconstruction and renewal of urban development.
• 1982 — Start of the first Hotter'N Hell Hundred bicycle race, which eventually grew into one of the most massive 100-kilometer bike rides in the USA.
• 1987 — Grand opening of the new artificial waterfall in Lucy Park, restoring the lost historical symbol of the city.
• 2002 — Commissioning of the modern Multi-Purpose Events Center (MPEC) complex for holding major exhibitions and shows.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

The history of Wichita Falls is a journey from a trading post to a modern regional center. Each of the events listed below radically changed the appearance of the city, its economy, and the way of life of its residents.

• Railway Expansion (1882):

  The arrival of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway became a city-forming event. It turned Wichita Falls from a remote point on the map into the main logistics hub of North Texas, providing farmers with access to national markets and stimulating an influx of settlers.

• Oil Boom (1910s – 1920s):

  The discovery of deposits in the county and neighboring Burkburnett caused explosive economic growth. The city became the financial and management capital of the region: headquarters of oil companies opened here, and banks and hotels were built. This period laid the financial foundation of the city, which is still felt today.

• Creation of Sheppard Air Force Base (1941):

  The opening of an aviation training center on the eve of the US entry into World War II forever changed the city's demographics and economy. The base became the largest employer and ensured a stable flow of federal funds and new residents, smoothing out fluctuations in the oil market.

• Development of the University Environment (1961):

  Granting state university status to the local college (Midwestern State University) consolidated the city's role as a cultural and educational center. This allowed for retaining youth in the region and attracting students from other states, enriching cultural life.

• Reconstruction after "Terrible Tuesday" (1979):

  The devastating tornado that destroyed a significant part of the city became a turning point in urban planning. The restoration of the city was carried out according to new safety and planning standards, which led to the modernization of housing stock, the road network, and public infrastructure.

• Restoration of the Waterfall (1987):

  The construction of an artificial waterfall on the site of the destroyed natural analogue had immense symbolic and tourism significance. The city regained its main attraction, which gave impetus to the development of recreational zones, Lucy Park, and the tourism brand of Wichita Falls.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Wichita Falls is a clear reflection of the city's economic cycles, where periods of rapid growth were replaced by the need for recovery. The urban fabric combines the historical heritage of the oil boom era of the early 20th century and functional development that emerged during reconstruction after natural disasters.

The "Oil Boom" Era and Historic Center

The 1910s–1920s left the most striking architectural trace in the city's history. The discovery of oil led to rapid vertical development of the business center (Downtown). During this period, the Commercial style and elements of Neoclassicism prevailed.

Characteristic features of this time:

• Use of red brick and stone in facade cladding.
• Decorative cornices and arched windows on ground floors.
• Construction of office buildings symbolizing the financial success of oil tycoons.

An iconic object of this era is the Newby-McMahon Building, known as the "World's Littlest Skyscraper." This structure in the late Neoclassical style became a monument to the speculative fever of that time.

Institutional Development and Modernism

From the mid-20th century, thanks to the development of Sheppard Air Force Base and Midwestern State University, the city began to expand horizontally. Principles of Modernism and the International Style became established in the architecture of public and educational buildings.

The university campus demonstrates a transition from traditional forms to more concise and functional volumes, characteristic of American architecture of the 1950s–1970s. Residential areas of this period were built up primarily with single-story houses in the Ranch style, reflecting the process of suburbanization.

Restoration and Modern Stage

The devastating tornado of 1979 made serious adjustments to the urban planning scheme. A significant part of the city, especially the southern districts, was rebuilt in the 1980s. This led to the appearance of modern development more resistant to the elements and the widespread distribution of shopping malls as new points of attraction.

Today, an important direction is the revitalization of the Depot Square Historic District. Here, ancient industrial and warehouse buildings are being adapted for modern needs (lofts, restaurants, galleries), while preserving the historical appearance of the early 20th-century facades.

Main Styles and Iconic Landmarks

• Commercial Style and Neoclassicism (1910–1930): The historic city center, the Kemp Center for the Arts building (former library), the Newby-McMahon building.
• Art Deco (1930–1940): Selected public buildings that retained geometric decor and strict lines, characteristic of the Great Depression period and subsequent recovery.
• Mid-Century Modern (1950–1970): Residential development in areas adjacent to the university, and administrative blocks of the post-war growth era.

Famous Natives and Residents

The fates of many people who have achieved global recognition in politics, sports, and the arts are connected with Wichita Falls. The city is proud to have become an important part of the biographies of these outstanding individuals.

• Rex Tillerson — Statesman and Businessman
  A native of the city who reached the heights of global business as the head of the ExxonMobil corporation, and later served as the 69th US Secretary of State. His career is an example of the global success of a North Texas native.
• Tommy Tune — Actor, Choreographer, and Director
  A Broadway legend and ten-time winner of the prestigious Tony Award. He was born in Wichita Falls, where he began his path into the arts. He is one of the most titled figures in American musical theatre.
• Phillip "Dr. Phil" McGraw — TV Host and Psychologist
  World-famous host of a popular talk show. He spent a significant part of his youth in this region and received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the local Midwestern State University.
• Lloyd Ruby — Race Car Driver
  A cult figure in American motorsport, participant in 18 "Indianapolis 500" races. Unlike many celebrities, Ruby lived his entire life in Wichita Falls, remaining a local hero and favorite of the townspeople.
• Mia Hamm — Footballer
  Two-time Olympic champion and an icon of women's football. She lived in the city as a teenager, being the daughter of a military officer, and played for the local Notre Dame Catholic School team, where she was already displaying her exceptional talent.
• John Tower — Politician
  An influential US Senator who became the first Republican elected to the Senate from Texas since the Reconstruction of the South. Tower lived and worked in the city, teaching at Midwestern University, and it was here that his political career began.
• Jaret Reddick — Musician
  Permanent leader and vocalist of the famous pop-punk band Bowling for Soup. The collective was formed specifically in Wichita Falls in 1994 and often mentions its home state in its creative work.