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WICHITA
FALLS, TEXAS
Wichita County
Seat, Panhandle / North Central Texas
Hwy 79 and I-44
Hwys 287 and 281
28 miles E of Electra
16 miles S of Oklahama
14 miles S of Burkburnett
77 miles NW of Decatur
118 miles NW of Fort
Worth
136 miles NW of Dallas
Population: 104,197(2000) 96,259 (1990)
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The
falls in Wichita Falls
Photo courtesy Gaylon White, 2005 |
| Wichita Falls
was named after the river that was named after the Indians. The original
falls have been lost, but replica falls have been built in recent
years. Conveniently located off I-44. |
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Downtown
Wichita Falls
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/
~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
History in a Pecan Shell
A timeline of significant events
John Scott
acquires land in poker game that becomes Wichita Falls (folklore)
1875:
John Converse opens first store in the area
1876:
Town platted by M. W. Seeley, hired by heirs of John Scott
1879:
1879 Post Office approved
1880:
1880 First School opened
1882:
The Fort Worth and Denver Railroad reach Wichita Falls
1883:
Major flood washes away the town's namesake waterfall/ Joseph Kemp
opens store
1900:
Lake Wichita Project set in motion
1917:
Population is 18,000 - mostly agricultural employment
1918:
Discovery of oil at Burkeburnett
increases population to 40,000
1920:
Irrigation Project allowed irrigation for Wichita, Archer and Baylor
Counties
1928:
Airline passenger service is started
1941:
Sheppard Field Opened for Air Corps training
1979:
Huge tornado hits the city killing 45 and destroying 20% of homes
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Oil Fields,
Wichita Falls, Texas
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/
~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
Oil
Capital
In the first quarter of the 20th century, Wichita Falls had offices
for the major players in the oil business - The Texas Company (Texaco),
Sinclair, Magnolia, Sun (Sunoco), Prairie (bought out) and Humble.
The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad as well as the Fort Worth
and Denver made Wichita Falls their headquarters.
In the 1920s Wichita Trucks were manufactured here and were sold in
68 Countries around the world.
During the oil boom multiple tracks were laid to Burkburnett
and two additional railroads (The Wichita Falls and Northwestern and
the Wichita, Ranger and Fort Worth) were financed by oil money. There
were 30 refineries in the area, with 13 of them in the city limits.
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Wichita Falls Depot
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/
~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
Wichita
Falls Landmark Architecture & Attractions
Wichita
County Courthouse - next page
Railroad
Museum: 501 Eighth Street
Kell House:
Historic home of Frank Kell - 900 Bluff Street
Wichita
Falls Fire and Police Museum:
Avenue H and Giddings Street
Lake Arrowhead
State Park:
229 Park Road 63, Wichita Falls, TX 76310. 940/528-2211
524-acre park with camping, fishing, swimming and boating.
14 miles South on 281 then East on FM 1954.
Nearby
lakes include Kemp, Kickapoo and Wichita.
Nearby Destinations
Do not miss Clara, Texas
Escapes' favorite ghost town, or Fargo
and Doan's Crossing
in Wilbarger County.
Book Your Hotel Here &
Save
Wichita
Falls Hotels
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Wichita
Chronicles:
Elephant
by Mike Cox (From "Texas Tales" Column)
" Someday, perhaps, a work crew laying cable or pipe will unearth
a large set of bones near a busy Wichita Falls intersection...."
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Wichita Falls Tourist Information
Wichita Falls
CVB
P.O. Box 630 Wichita Falls, Texas 76301
940-716-5500
http://www.wichitafalls.org/
Wichita Falls
Chamber of Commerce / Economic Development
PO Box 1860, Wichita Falls, Texas 76307
940-723-2741
http://www.wichitafallscommerce.com/
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Wichita
Falls Hotels
More
Hotels |
Wichita Falls Texas Forum
Anyone wishing
to share history or photos of Wichita Falls, Texas please contact
us.
© John Troesser |
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