Timeline of Waco, Texas facts for kids

Waco, Texas, is a city with a rich and interesting past. Located in the heart of Texas, it has grown from a small village into a busy city over many years. This timeline will take you through some of the most important moments in Waco's history, from its early days to the present. You'll learn about how the city started, how it grew, and some of the big events that shaped it.

19th Century: Early Waco History

Growing Pains and New Beginnings

• 1830 – The village of the Hueco people was attacked by Cherokees.
• 1845 – An Anglo settler named Neil McLennan made his home in the area.
• 1849 – March 1: The very first plots of land in Waco village were sold. This was a big step in starting the town.
• 1850
  • A ferry boat started carrying people across the Brazos River.
  • Waco became the main town, or "county seat," for the new McLennan County, Texas. This meant important government offices were located here.
• 1851 – The population of Waco was 152 people.
• 1852 – The First Street Cemetery was started around this time.
• 1854 – The Waco Era newspaper began publishing.
• 1856 – The town of Waco officially became an incorporated city.
• 1858 – The Southern Democrat newspaper started.
• 1861 – Waco University was founded.
• 1865 – The Waco Examiner newspaper began publishing.
• 1866 – New Hope Baptist Church was established.

Building a Modern City

• 1870
  • The famous Waco Suspension Bridge opened. This was a huge deal for travel and trade.
  • The Waco Tap Railroad started operating, connecting Waco to other places.
  • The population grew to 3,008 people.
• 1871 – The First Presbyterian Church was built.
• 1872 – The Waco and Northwestern Railroad began operating.
• 1873
  • Fletcher Cemetery was established.
  • The Sanger Brothers shop opened for business.
• 1877 – Paul Quinn College moved to Waco from Austin.
• 1878 – Oakwood Cemetery was established.
• 1879 – St. Paul's Episcopal Church was rebuilt.
• 1880 – The population reached 7,295 people.
• 1881 – Rodeph Sholom Synagogue was dedicated.
• 1884
  • The Garland Opera House opened.
  • The McClelland Opera House also opened around this time.
• 1885
  • The Slayden-Kirksey Woolen Mill began making products.
  • Baylor University moved to Waco from Independence.
  • The popular flavored drink "Dr. Pepper" was first mixed at the Old Corner Drug store in Waco.
• 1889 – Hot water from underground, called "artesian water," was found beneath the city.
• 1890
  • C.C. McCulloch was elected as mayor.
  • The population grew to 14,445 people.
• 1892 – The Geyser Ice Company started its business.
• 1894 – The Cotton Palace Exposition, a big fair, began.
• 1895
  • AddRan College moved to Waco from Thorp Spring.
  • The Floral Society was formed.
• 1897 – The Waco Times-Herald newspaper was in publication.
• 1899 – A public library was established for the community.

20th Century: Waco's Growth and Challenges

A New Century Dawns

• 1900 – The population reached 20,686 people.
• 1901 – The McLennan County Courthouse was built.
• 1906 – A Dr. Pepper bottling plant was built.
• 1910 – The Brazos Valley Cotton Oil mill began operating.
• 1911
  • The Amicable Life Insurance Co. building was constructed.
  • The Farmers' Improvement Bank was founded.
  • The Rex Theatre opened for movies and shows.
• 1912 – The Raleigh Hotel was built.
• 1914
  • The Hippodrome Theatre opened.
  • Kestner’s store began its business.
• 1919 – The Elite Cafe opened for business.
• 1920 – The population grew to 38,500 people.
• 1929 – The Alamo Plaza Motor Hotel chain started.
• 1930 – The population reached 52,848 people.
• 1931 – St. Francis Catholic Church was built.
• 1936 – September: A flood affected the city.
• 1937 – The Blue Triangle Young Women's Christian Association was formed.
• 1945 – The U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center was built.

Mid-Century Changes

• 1950 – The population reached 84,706 people.
• 1953 – May: A powerful tornado hit Waco, causing significant damage.
• 1955 – The Cameron Park Zoo was established.
• 1964 – An urban renewal project began to modernize parts of the city.
• 1965 – A flood control dam was built on the Brazos River basin to help prevent future floods.
• 1967 – The Historic Waco Foundation was established to preserve the city's history.

Late 20th Century Developments

• 1974 – Oscar De Conge became mayor of Waco.
• 1980 – The population reached 101,261 people.
• 1993 – February 28 to April 19: A long and difficult event involving a religious group took place near Waco at the Mount Carmel Center.

21st Century: Waco Today

• 2010 – The city's population was 124,805. The larger megaregion had a population of 19,728,244.
• 2012 – Malcolm P. Duncan Jr. became mayor.
• 2016 – Kyle Deaver became mayor.