Timeline of Lubbock, Texas facts for kids

Lubbock is a city in Texas, USA. It has a long and interesting history. This article shares a timeline of important events in Lubbock, from its early days to modern times.

Lubbock's Early Days: The 1800s

• 1876 – Lubbock County was created. It was named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock.
• 1890 – The settlement of Lubbock was formed. This happened when two smaller towns, Old Lubbock and Monterey, joined together.
• 1891
  • Lubbock was chosen as the main town for Lubbock County. This is called the county seat.
  • A local newspaper called the Leader started being published.
• 1900 – Another newspaper, the Lubbock Avalanche, began publishing.

Growing Strong: The 1900s

• 1909
  • A railroad line started operating in Lubbock. This helped the city grow.
  • The city of Lubbock officially became an incorporated city.
  • Frank E. Wheelock became the first mayor of Lubbock.
• 1910 – The population of Lubbock was 1,938 people.
• 1913 – The Chamber of Commerce was formed. This group helps local businesses.
• 1914 – The South Plains Fair began. This is a popular event for the community.
• 1917 – The first hospital in Lubbock, the Lubbock Sanitarium, was established.
• 1920 – The population grew to 4,051 people.
• 1923 – Texas Tech University was created. This would become a very important part of the city.
• 1925
  • Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) officially opened its doors.
  • The student newspaper, The Daily Toreador, started publishing.
• 1929 – The West Texas Museum was established.
• 1930 – The population reached 20,520 people.
• 1931 – Lubbock High School was built.
• 1932 – Radio station KFYO (AM) began broadcasting from Lubbock.
• 1936
  • September 7: Famous musician Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock.
  • The Lubbock Lake Site, an important archaeological area, was discovered.
• 1937 – The South Plains Airport began operating.
• 1940 – The population was 31,853 people.
• 1941 – A U.S. Army Flying School was established near the city.
• 1946 – The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra was formed.
• 1949 – The U.S. military Reese Air Force Base became active.
• 1950 – The population jumped to 71,747 people.
• 1952 – Television stations KCBD-TV and KDUB-TV began broadcasting.
• 1957 – Lubbock Christian College opened.
• 1959 – The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper was in publication.
• 1960 – The population reached 128,691.
• 1969
  • The Texas Tech University School of Medicine was established.
  • Preston Smith from Lubbock became the Governor of Texas.
• 1970
  • May 11: A major event happened when the 1970 Lubbock tornado hit the city.
  • The population was 149,101 people.
• 1977 – The Lubbock Memorial Civic Center was built.
• 1979 – The Lubbock Heritage Society was formed to preserve local history.
• 1980 – The population grew to 173,979.
• 1983 – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock was established.
• 1990 – The population reached 186,206.
• 2000 – The population was 199,564.

Lubbock in the 21st Century

• 2003 – Randy Neugebauer became the U.S. representative for Lubbock's district.
• 2008 – Tom Martin became the mayor of Lubbock.
• 2010 – The population reached 229,573.
• 2012 – Glen Robertson became mayor.
• 2016 – Dan Pope became mayor.
• 2020 – The population was 257,141.