Wichita 1900-1949 Did You Know

1. 1906: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, began construction in Wichita.
2. 1914-1915: Oil was discovered near Wichita, significantly impacting the local economy and aviation industry.
3. 1914: W.C. Coleman produced the first Coleman lantern in Wichita, a significant event in the history of outdoor recreational equipment.
4. 1917: The Cessna Comet, Wichita’s first aircraft, was built, marking the beginning of the city’s prominent role in aviation.
5. 1920: Emil Matthew “Matty” Laird built the Laird Swallow in Wichita, the first successful commercial airplane manufactured in the U.S.
6. 1920s: Key aviation pioneers like Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech, and Clyde Cessna started their aircraft companies in Wichita.
7. 1925: Fred C. Koch joined Keith-Winkler Engineering in Wichita, later leading to the formation of Koch Industries.
8. 1927: Fred C. Koch developed a more efficient thermal cracking process for turning crude oil into gasoline in Wichita.
9. 1927: Stearman Aircraft, founded by Lloyd Stearman, relocated its factory back to Wichita.
10. 1929: By this year, Wichita had emerged as the nation’s highest-volume producer of aircraft.
11. 1932: St. Mary Orthodox Church was founded in Wichita.
12. 1930s: Construction of the Wichita Municipal Airport began, but was interrupted by the Great Depression.
13. 1930s: Wichita became a significant center for the manufacturing of Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 trainer aircraft.
14. 1940s: Wichita Municipal Airport site also hosted the Wichita Army Airfield and Boeing Airplane Company Plant No. 1.
15. 1941: The Barnsdall Refinery, one of the several in Wichita, was operational.
16. 1944: The Boeing B-29 assembly line was in full swing in Wichita.
17. 1945: In February, the 1000th B-29 Superfortress delivery ceremony took place at Boeing in Wichita.
18. 1940: Koch Industries, initially as Wood River Oil and Refining Company, was established.
19. 1947: Wichita State University’s football team had its first bowl game appearance.
20. 1949: The Wichita Braves, a minor league baseball team, was formed, showcasing the city’s sports culture.
21. 1900: Wichita’s growth was continuous and rapid after 1900, with population surpassing 100,000 in the 1920s.
22. 1901: The Commercial Club was founded, which later became the Chamber of Commerce.
23. 1912: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, or St. Mary’s Cathedral, was consecrated.
24. 1917: The last of the original Wichita oil refineries closed, marking the end of an era in the city’s industrial history.
25. 1920s: Seven more refineries were built in Wichita, although only three were still operating by the end of the decade.
26. 1920s-1930s: Wichita experienced significant growth due to the establishment of aircraft manufacturing companies including Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman Aircraft.
27. 1923: The Laird Swallow production ended, after 43 aircraft were built between 1920 and 1923.
28. 1925-1932: Fred C. Koch and his company faced 44 different lawsuits from larger oil companies, a pivotal moment in the history of Koch Industries.
29. 1927: Wichita Municipal Airport’s ground was purchased, although its construction was delayed due to the Great Depression.
30. 1929: Several more aircraft manufacturers emerged in Wichita, reflecting the city’s growing dominance in the aviation industry.
31. 1930s: The terminal and runways of Wichita Municipal Airport were completed as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects.
32. 1930s: Wichita produced a significant number of Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 trainer aircraft, contributing to its aviation legacy.
33. 1940: Wichita’s Koch Industries was originally established as the Wood River Oil and Refining Company.
34. 1940s: Wichita was a major center for the production of military and commercial aircraft during this decade.
35. 1944: Wichita’s role in World War II was highlighted by the operation of the Boeing B-29 assembly line.
36. 1945: The Wichita Army Airfield and Boeing Airplane Company Plant No. 1 were key features of the Municipal Airport site.
37. 1949: The Wichita Art Museum was established, beginning with the Roland P. Murdock Collection .
38. 1940s: McConnell Air Force Base began as the Municipal Airport site in Wichita, later becoming a military facility in the 1950s.
39. 1940s: Wichita was instrumental in the production of the B-29 Superfortress, especially notable during World War II.
40. 1949: The Wichita Braves, a minor league baseball team, was formed, adding to the city’s sports culture.
41. 1900s: Wichita became a major oil center after oil was discovered nearby in the early 1900s
42. 1903: Wichita High School East, the city’s oldest high school, was established.
43. 1905: The first movie theater in Wichita opened, marking the beginning of the city’s entertainment industry.
44. 1910: The first public park in Wichita, Riverside Park, was established.
45. 1912: The Wichita Symphony Orchestra was founded, enhancing the city’s cultural scene.
46. 1916: The first public library in Wichita opened, providing a significant community resource.
47. 1919: The first radio station in Wichita began broadcasting, expanding the city’s communication network.
48. 1921: The Wichita Falls & Southern Railroad was established, improving the city’s connectivity.
49. 1923: The first municipal airport in Wichita, known as “The Air Capital of the World,” was opened.
50. 1924: Wichita hosted its first professional baseball game, highlighting the city’s sports culture.
51. 1926: The first high-rise building in Wichita, the Bitting Building, was constructed.
52. 1928: The Wichita Municipal Zoo opened, though it closed a few years later.
53. 1930: The population of Wichita surpassed 100,000, highlighting its rapid growth.
54. 1931: The first talking movie was shown in Wichita, reflecting advancements in the entertainment industry.
55. 1933: The Wichita Municipal University (now Wichita State University) was established.
56. 1935: The first major flood in Wichita’s history occurred, impacting the city significantly.
57. 1937: Wichita’s Joyland Amusement Park opened, becoming a major local attraction.
58. 1940: The first television broadcast in Wichita took place.
59. 1943: Wichita played a key role in the production of military aircraft during World War II.
60. 1948: The Wichita Vortex Sutra, a significant literary work by a local author, was published.
61. 1902: Wichita’s first electric streetcar system was introduced, modernizing the city’s public transportation.
62. 1904: The iconic Douglas Avenue Bridge, a major thoroughfare in Wichita, was constructed.
63. 1907: The first airplane flight in Wichita took place, marking the beginning of the city’s aviation history.
64. 1908: The Wichita Carnegie Library, funded by Andrew Carnegie, was opened to the public.
65. 1911: The first major theater in Wichita, the Forum Theater, was established.
66. 1913: Wichita’s first skyscraper, the Carey Hotel, was built, symbolizing the city’s growing prosperity.
67. 1915: The founding of the Wichita Rotary Club, the first service club in the city.
68. 1918: The first municipal golf course in Wichita was established.
69. 1922: The establishment of the Wichita Art Association, fostering the local art community.
70. 1925: Wichita’s first commercial radio station, WEAU (now KNSS), began broadcasting.
71. 1929: The stock market crash affected Wichita’s economy, leading to changes in the city’s industrial landscape.
72. 1932: The Wichita Municipal Rose Garden was opened, adding to the city’s green spaces.
73. 1934: The construction of the Allis Hotel, one of Wichita’s most prominent hotels at the time.
74. 1936: The Wichita Municipal Stadium was built, enhancing the city’s sports infrastructure.
75. 1938: Wichita experienced a significant snowstorm, one of the heaviest in its history.
76. 1941: The introduction of the Wichita Transit System, improving the city’s public transportation network.
77. 1942: During World War II, Wichita’s aircraft factories played a crucial role in producing military planes.
78. 1946: The establishment of the Wichita Historical Museum, preserving the city’s rich history.
79. 1947: The Wichita Community Theatre was founded, contributing to the local performing arts scene.
80. 1949: The completion of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita, providing medical services to veterans.
81. 1905: The first golf course in Wichita, the Wichita Country Club, was established.
82. 1914: Wichita High School East began its football program, marking the start of a long-standing tradition.
83. 1920: Wichita hosted its first professional boxing match, showcasing the city’s interest in diverse sports.
84. 1922: The Wichita Wolves, a minor league baseball team, were formed.
85. 1925: Wichita’s first public golf course opened, making the sport more accessible to the general public.
86. 1930: Wichita State University (then Municipal University of Wichita) formed its first official basketball team.
87. 1934: The Wichita Monrovians, an African American semi-professional baseball team, played their first game.
88. 1935: Wichita State University’s basketball team participated in its first postseason tournament.
89. 1938: The construction of Lawrence Stadium (now Eck Stadium) at Wichita State University began.
90. 1940: Wichita State University’s football team had its first winning season.
91. 1941: The first night baseball game was played in Wichita.
92. 1942: During WWII, Wichita State University suspended its football program due to the war effort.
93. 1944: The Wichita State University football program resumed after a brief hiatus during the war.
94. 1945: Wichita hosted a major regional track and field event, drawing athletes from several states.
95. 1946: The Wichita Vickers, a semi-professional basketball team, was established.
96. 1947: Wichita State University’s football team participated in its first bowl game.
97. 1948: The Wichita Wind Surge, a minor league baseball team, played their inaugural season.
98. 1949: Wichita State University’s basketball team made its first appearance in the National Invitational Tournament.
99. 1949: The Wichita Braves, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Braves, was formed.
100. 1949: Wichita hosted its first major golf tournament, the Wichita Open.
101. 1900: William Allen White, a renowned journalist and political advisor, was actively writing editorials in Wichita.
102. 1903: Clyde Cessna, who would become a famous aviation pioneer, moved to Wichita this year.
103. 1911: Vera Miles, an actress who would gain fame in Hollywood, was born in Wichita.
104. 1914: Barry Harris, a notable jazz pianist, was born in Wichita.
105. 1916: Sam Moore Walton, the future founder of Walmart, was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, but spent much of his early life in Wichita.
106. 1918: Kirstie Alley, an Emmy Award-winning actress, was born in Wichita.
107. 1921: Don Johnson, a professional golfer who won the PGA Championship, was born in Wichita.
108. 1922: Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Oscar, moved to Wichita with her family.
109. 1924: Robert Docking, who would later become the Governor of Kansas, was born in Wichita.
910. 1925: Dan Glickman, who would go on to become a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, was born in Wichita.
111. 1930: Bill Parcells, a future Super Bowl-winning NFL coach, was born in Englewood, New Jersey, but later moved to Wichita.
112. 1934: Jim Ryun, a former U.S. Representative and Olympic silver medalist in track, was born in Wichita.
113. 1936: Joe Walsh, a future member of the rock band Eagles, was born in Wichita.
114. 1938: Richard A. Proctor, a notable businessman and philanthropist, was born in Wichita.
115. 1940: Gary Burrell, co-founder of Garmin, the GPS technology company, was born in Wichita.
116. 1942: Jeffrey Hammond, a musician known for his work with the band Jethro Tull, was born in Wichita.
117. 1944: Louise Brooks, a famous actress and dancer, lived in Wichita during this period.
118. 1945: Barry Sanders, a Hall of Fame NFL running back, was born in Wichita.
119. 1947: Lynette Woodard, a pioneering women’s basketball player and first female Harlem Globetrotter, was born in Wichita.
120. 1949: Eric Harris, one of the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre, was born in Wichita.