History of Wichita, Kansas, USA

1870 - Wichita, Kansas founded

wikipedia.org

1884 - Wichita Fires
Wichita, Kan., May 3. - Kirby Chapel, belonging to the Methodist denomination of this city, burned last night. Fire has also been kindled at the base of the steeple of the Presbyterian Church. It is supposed to be the work of an incendiary, the result of the enforcement of the prohibition liquor law. The owner of a large skating rink, who had rented the place for a temperance convention, was anonymously notified this morning to cancel the lease with that organization. The barn of an active Prohibitionist was fired two or three nights since and the shade trees of another ruined. The excitement was intense. The church burned was valued at $12,000 to $18,000, and was insured for $8,000. The valuable library of Rev. J. W. Phillips, pastor of the church, was also burned.
Evening Observer
Dunkirk, New York
May 5, 1884

1895 - Wichita
Wichita, a city, capital of Sedgwick co., Kansas, on the left bank of the Arkansas River, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River, and on the Southwest Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroad, 27 miles S. of Newton, and 100 miles S.W. of Emporia. It is also a centre of 4 or 5 other railroads. It contains several banks, a number of churches, 4 daily and 11 weekly newspapers, graded schools, glass-factories, flour-mills, planing-mills, woollen-mills, carriage-factories, &c. Near here is a productive vineyard. Natural gas, lime, and oil are also found. The census of 1890 gives the capital invested in the industries of Wichita at $2,830,029, and the value of the product at $4,719,336. Pop. in 1880, 4911; in 1890, 23,853.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1900 - December 27 - Carrie Nation's 1st public smashing of a bar (Carey Hotel, Wichita KS)

historyorb.com

1901 - MILLION DOLLAR FIRE.
WICHITA, Kan., July 16. - The packing plant of Jacob & Sons, of this city, was destroyed by fire today. There were four large buildings. It is estimated that 7,000,000 pounds of meat in process of preparation were destroyed. The loss is $1,000,000 with insurance about $400,000.
The Morning Herald
Lexington, Kentucky
July 17, 1901

1908 - FOUR DROWNED IN KANSAS. Streams Are Out of Banks and Rain is Still Falling.
WICHITA, Kas., June 1 - One more was added to the list of flood victims here today, making four in all who have drowned. Benjamin white is missing and it is believed that he also lost his life. Those known to have been drowned are Mrs. C. Glazier, Miss Martha Wikoff, Harry Moore, and Victor Jenkaway.

Clarence Glazier was driving a buggy containing his wife, her sister, Martha Wikoff, and his infant baby. While on the bridge over Chisholm creek a rush of water struck them and swept the buggy and occupants into the stream. The women were washed away and their bodies were recovered to-day. The father held the baby on a log until rescued. Harry Moore with his brother were chasing chickens away from the stream when they were caught by the water. The brother was thrown into a tree, where he remained until rescued in the morning. Harry was drowned. His body was recovered. He was 12 years old. Jenkaway accidently fell in the Little Arkansas River and was carried under by the swift under... Read MORE...

1910 - City of Wichita
THE CITY OF WICHITA By O. H. BENTLEY

The ardent friends of Wichita are those who live within its borders; those who sojourn away from it long to return. It is always eulogized by its absent friends. Favorably located at the junction of two rivers, it aptly illustrates the saying that large streams always flow past great cities. That Wichita is the city of destiny, was a belief always fondly cherished by its founders. Wichita today is the most prosperous and rapidly growing city in the state of Kansas. It is the second city in size in the state and most favorably located on the banks of the Arkansas river, in one of the most fertile and productive valleys in America.

The population of Wichita is cosmopolitan in nature and energetic in spirit; is enterprising and public spirited. The city, being built upon the plains, had no special advantages geographically over any other part of the state. It so happened, however, that an aggregation of men constituted its first inhabitants who... Read MORE...

1910 - THREE KILLED IN A WRECK. Harvest Hands Stealing Ride in an Accident.
WICHITA, Kas., June 23. - Three men were killed and ten were injured in the wreck of an extra St. Louis & San Francisco freight train just east of here, at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Two men are missing and are thought to be buried beneath the wreckage. All the killed and injured were harvest hands stealing a ride. The dead:

LOGAN GANNON, Phillipsbpurg[sic], Mo.
JOHN ROONEY, Phillipsburg, Mo.
Unidentified man said to be from Muskogee, Okl.

The injured:
Bert Rooney, Phillipsburg, Mo., serious
Will Loosin, Phillipsburg, Mo., scalp wound, serious
Lloyd Gannon, Robert Castle, Ed Materick, John Ragland, and ___ Egbert, all of Phillipsburg, Mo.:
John Causler, Long Lane, Mo.,
and Bert Cain and G. W. Welch, both of Oklahoma City.

None of these are thought to be seriously injured.

These thirteen men were riding on the top of a heavy car of bridge timbers just back of a freight car. A broken flange caused the wreck. Two men were seen on top of the coal car at Leon, and it... Read MORE...

1913 - FIRE RAZES KANSAS CITY THEATER.
Wichita, Kan., April 2. - The Lyceum theater was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. The loss was $100,000. Members of a stock company playing at the theater and living in rooms above it reached the street by fire escapes, being warned by smoke and flames.
Oelwein Daily Register
Iowa
April 2, 1913

1919 - First airplane factory in Kansas was built in Wichita, which became one of the nation's top plane manufacturing cities.

www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ kansas.html

1921 - September 13 – White Castle hamburger restaurant opens in Wichita, Kansas, the foundation of the world's first fast food chain.

wikipedia.org
September 13, 1921

1923 - Tornado
Wichita., Kan., May 23. - . . . When the storm struck Wichita three persons were seriously injured and a dozen bruised. . . .
Mrs. Charles Minor, 70, who lived in a small frame building near here, was not expected to live as a result of injuries she received when here home was struck by the storm. With her husband she was rescued from the twisted wreckage by neighbors. Parts of their home were scattered over a ten acre field.
The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune
Chillicothe, Missouri
May 23, 1923

1941 - June 14 - Ground broken for Boeing Plant II (ex-AFLC Plant 13) Wichita KS

historyorb.com

1951 - June 24 - Twelve inches of hail broke windows and roofs, and dented automobiles, causing more than fourteen million dollars damage.
The storm plowed 200 miles from Kingmand County KS into Missouri, with the Wichita area hardest hit. It was the most disastrous hailstorm of record for the state of Kansas.
WeatherForYou.com
June 24, 1951

1953 - July 1 - KTVH TV channel 12 in Hutchinson-Wichita, KS (CBS) begins

historyorb.com

1954 - June 21 - A severe hailstorm struck Wichita KS and vicinity causing nine million dollars damage.

The Weather Channel
June 21, 1954

Wichita, Kansas is the 5th windiest city in the U.S. with an average wind speed of 12.2 mph.

National Weather Service

2023 - Wichita has a lot to offer! Whether you're into history, outdoor activities, or just looking for a good meal, there's something for everyone. Let's dive into some suggestions:
Exploration Place:

Start your Wichita adventure with Exploration Place, a fantastic science center and museum. It's interactive, educational, and great for all ages.

Sedgwick County Zoo:

Animal lover? The Sedgwick County Zoo is one of the top attractions. It's beautifully landscaped and home to a wide variety of animals.

Old Cowtown Museum:

Step back in time at Old Cowtown Museum. It's an immersive experience of Wichita's past, complete with costumed interpreters and historic buildings.

Keeper of the Plains:

Don't miss the iconic Keeper of the Plains statue. It's a symbol of Wichita and is particularly stunning in the evening when the fire pots at its base are lit.

Botanica Wichita:

For a peaceful escape, explore Botanica Wichita. The gardens are gorgeous, and it's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

Wichita Art Museum:

If you appreciate art, the Wichita Art Museum has an impressive collection, including American art, contemporary works, and... Read MORE...