Timeline of Wichita, Kansas facts for kids

Wichita, Kansas, is a city with a rich and exciting history! From its early days as a trading post to becoming a hub for aviation, Wichita has seen many changes and grown into a major city in the United States. This timeline will take you through some of the most important moments and milestones in Wichita's past.

Early Days of Wichita: Before the 1900s

• 1864: Jesse Chisholm sets up a trading post. This was an important place where people could trade goods.
• 1865: The Treaty of Little Arkansas is signed.
• 1868: Another trading post is started by James R. Mead.
• 1870: Wichita officially becomes a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas.
• 1872:
  • The Santa Fe Railway is built, connecting Wichita to other places.
  • Two newspapers, The Wichita Eagle and The Wichita Daily Beacon, start publishing.
• 1880: Wichita grows by adding the Delano community. This area becomes known as "West Wichita."
• 1887:
  • Women in Wichita gain the right to vote! This was an important step for women's rights.
  • The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita is created.
• 1888: The Wichita Children's Home is founded to help kids.
• 1889: Albert Hyde invents Mentholatum, a well-known ointment.
• 1890: The Sedgwick County Courthouse is built.
• 1892: Fairmount Institute opens. This school later becomes Wichita State University.
• 1898: Garfield University is established. It later changes its name to Friends University.
• 1900: Temperance activist Carry Nation protests against places selling alcohol.

Wichita in the 20th Century: Growth and Innovation

• 1905: Waco Elementary School is built.
• 1909: The city adopts a new way of government called the city commission.
• 1910: The First Presbyterian Church and Municipal Forum are built.
• 1911: Henry's (clothiers), a clothing store, opens for business.
• 1912: Wesley Medical Center, a hospital, is established.
• 1915: The Wichita City Library building is completed.
• 1917: The office of city manager is created to help run the city.
• 1918: The Exposition Building is constructed.
• 1919: The Negro Star newspaper begins publication.
• 1920: Wichita's population reaches 72,217 people.
• 1921: White Castle (restaurant), a famous fast-food chain, starts in Wichita.
• 1922: The Orpheum Theatre and Miller Theater open, offering entertainment.
• 1924: Wichita East High School is built.
• 1926: The Municipal University of Wichita is established. This university later becomes Wichita State University.
• 1927: Cessna Aircraft Company, a major airplane manufacturer, starts its business in Wichita.
• 1929:
  • Construction begins on the Wichita Municipal Airport. This airport later becomes McConnell Air Force Base.
  • Wichita North High School is built.
• 1932: Beech Aircraft Corp., another important aircraft company, begins operations.
• 1935: The Wichita Art Museum is built.
• 1950: The city's population grows to 168,279.
• 1952: The Old Cowtown Museum is established, preserving Wichita's early history.
• 1953:
  • Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is built. It later becomes Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
  • The US military starts using Wichita Air Force Base.
  • A Field House is built at the University of Wichita. It later becomes Charles Koch Arena.
• 1954: The Wichita Audubon Society is founded to protect birds and nature.
• 1958:
  • July: The Dockum Drug Store sit-in takes place, an important event for civil rights.
  • Pizza Hut, a popular pizza restaurant, opens its first location.
• 1964: Wichita State University is officially established.
• 1965: The Wichita State University Shockers men's basketball team makes it to the Final Four for the first time!
• 1967: The central Wichita Public Library building is dedicated.
• 1969:
  • Century II opens. It's a large center for shows and events.
  • Cessna Stadium at Wichita State University is expanded.
• 1970: The population of Wichita reaches 276,554.
• 1971: The Sedgwick County Zoo is founded, becoming home to many animals.
• 1972: The Kansas African American Museum is founded.
• 1975: Towne East Square shopping mall opens for business.
• 1976: The Mid-America All-Indian Center is established.
• 1977: The Kansas Coliseum opens.
• 1980: Towne West Square shopping mall opens.
• 1984: The Kansas Food Bank is established to help people in need.
• 1987: Botanica, The Wichita Gardens opens, offering beautiful gardens to explore.
• 1989: The Epic Center hi-rise building is constructed.
• 1990: Wichita's population grows to 304,011.
• 1991: The Wichita-Andover, KS F5 tornado strikes the area.
• 1992: The Wichita Thunder ice hockey team is formed.
• 1997: The city's website goes online.

Wichita in the 21st Century: Modern Times

• 2006: Spirit AeroSystems Inc., an aerospace company, begins business.
• 2010:
  • Intrust Bank Arena opens, a large venue for concerts and sports.
  • Wichita's population reaches 382,368.
• 2011: Mike Pompeo becomes a U.S. representative for Kansas's 4th congressional district.
• 2012: A large Tornado outbreak of April 13–16, 2012 affects the area.
• 2013:
  • March: The Wichita State University Shockers men's basketball team makes another exciting run to the Final Four!
• 2015: Jeff Longwell becomes the mayor of Wichita.
• 2018: Mike Pompeo becomes the United States Secretary of State, a very important role in the U.S. government. He holds this position until 2021.
• 2020:
  • Brandon Whipple becomes mayor.
  • The population of Wichita is 397,532, according to the 2020 United States Census.