Timeline of Wichita, Kansas

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wichita, Kansas, USA.

Prior to 20th century

 * 1864 - Jesse Chisholm establishes a trading post
 * 1865 - Treaty of Little Arkansas
 * 1868 - James R. Mead established another trading post
 * 1870 - City of Wichita incorporated in Sedgwick County, Kansas.
 * 1872
 * Santa Fe Railway built.
 * The Wichita Eagle and The Wichita Daily Beacon newspapers begins publication.
 * 1880 - Wichita annexed the Delano community on the west side of the river, which then became locally known as "West Wichita".
 * 1885 - Topeka State Journal newspaper in publication.
 * 1887
 * Women enfranchised.
 * Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita established.
 * 1888
 * Wichita Children's Home founded
 * All Hallows Academy established.
 * 1889 - Albert Hyde invents Mentholatum
 * 1890 - Sedgwick County Courthouse built.
 * 1891 - Thursday Afternoon Cooking Club founded.
 * 1892 - Fairmount Institute opens, later becomes Wichita State University.
 * 1898 - Garfield University established, later becomes Friends University.
 * 1900 - December 27: Temperance activist "Carry Nation smashes the Hotel Carey saloon."

20th century

 * 1905 - Waco Elementary School built.
 * 1909
 * City commission form of government adopted.
 * Wichita Union Stockyards Exchange Building constructed.
 * 1910 - First Presbyterian Church and Municipal Forum built.
 * 1911
 * Henry's (clothiers) in business.
 * Central Intermediate School built.
 * 1912 - Wesley Medical Center established.
 * 1915 - Wichita City Library built.
 * 1917 - Office of city manager established.
 * 1918
 * Fountain installed at Union Station Plaza.
 * Exposition Building constructed.
 * 1919 - The Negro Star newspaper in publication.
 * 1920 - Population: 72,217.
 * 1921 - White Castle (restaurant) in business.
 * 1922 - Orpheum Theatre and Miller Theater open.
 * 1924 - Wichita East High School built.
 * 1926 - Municipal University of Wichita established, later becomes Wichita State University.
 * 1927 - Cessna Aircraft Company in business.
 * 1929
 * Wichita Municipal Airport construction begins, later becomes McConnell Air Force Base.
 * Wichita North High School built.
 * 1931 - McKnight memorial statue erected.
 * 1932
 * Beech Aircraft Corp. in business.
 * United States Post Office and Federal Building constructed.
 * Minisa Bridge dedicated.
 * 1934 - Lawrence Athletic Field opened, later becomes Lawrence–Dumont Stadium.
 * 1935 - Wichita Art Museum built.
 * 1950 - Population: 168,279.
 * 1952 - Old Cowtown Museum established.
 * 1953
 * Wichita Mid-Continent Airport built, later becomes Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
 * US military Wichita Air Force Base in use.
 * Field House at University of Wichita built, later becomes Charles Koch Arena.
 * 1954
 * Wichita Audubon Society founded.
 * Autopilot invented by David D. Blanton
 * 1958
 * July: Dockum Drug Store sit-in for civil rights.
 * Pizza Hut in business.
 * 1964 - Wichita State University established.
 * 1965 - The Wichita State University Shockers men's basketball team makes its first ever appearance in the Final Four.
 * 1967 - Central Wichita Public Library building dedicated.
 * 1969
 * Century II opened, after razing blocks of warehouse district south of Douglas Street.
 * Cessna Stadium expansion of Veteran Field at Wichita State University built.
 * 250 Douglas Place hi-rise built.
 * 1970 - Population: 276,554.
 * 1971 - Sedgwick County Zoo founded.
 * 1972 - Kansas African American Museum founded.
 * 1975 - Towne East Square shopping mall in business.
 * 1976 - Mid-America All-Indian Center established.
 * 1977 - Kansas Coliseum opens.
 * 1979 - April 15: Herman Hill riot.
 * 1980 - Towne West Square shopping mall in business.
 * 1984 - Kansas Food Bank established.
 * 1987 - Botanica, The Wichita Gardens open.
 * 1989 - Epic Center hi-rise built.
 * 1990 - Population: 304,011
 * 1991 - The Wichita-Andover, KS F5 tornado strikes
 * 1992 - Wichita Thunder ice hockey team formed.
 * 1993 - Southwind Sangha Sōtō Zen Association founded.
 * 1997 - City website online (approximate date).

21st century

 * 2006 - Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in business.
 * 2009 - May 31: Assassination of George Tiller, abortion doctor.
 * 2010
 * Intrust Bank Arena opens.
 * Population: 382,368.
 * 2011 - Mike Pompeo becomes U.S. representative for Kansas's 4th congressional district.
 * 2012 - Tornado outbreak of April 13–16, 2012.
 * 2013
 * March: The Wichita State University Shockers men's basketball team makes its second run in school history to the Final Four.
 * December 13: Alleged 2013 Wichita bombing plot thwarted.
 * 2015 - Jeff Longwell becomes mayor.
 * 2018 - Mike Pompeo becomes United States Secretary of State; he remains in this position until 2021.
 * 2020
 * Brandon Whipple becomes mayor.
 * Population: 397,532 at the 2020 United States Census