Wichita 2000 to Date - Did You Know
Wichita: A City Reinventing Itself
From the dawn of the new millennium to the present day, Wichita has been on an extraordinary journey of growth and innovation. This comprehensive guide explores the most interesting facts about Wichita from 2000 to today, shedding light on how this exciting city continues to evolve and inspire.
A New Millennium of Innovation
The 21st century marked a new era for Wichita, particularly in its historic aviation sector. The city’s aerospace industry saw significant advancements, with local manufacturers contributing to major aerospace projects. This period also witnessed the rise of technology startups, leveraging Wichita’s manufacturing expertise to drive innovation.
Wichita State University (WSU) played a pivotal role in this innovation wave, establishing the Innovation Campus. With research and development became a breeding ground for new technologies, fostering collaborations between the university, students, and industries.
Hundreds of Interesting Facts about Wichita
2000 to Date - Henderson - Did You Know... (Part 1)
1. 2000: Wichita celebrated the new millennium with various city-wide events.
2. 2001: Exploration Place expanded its exhibits, becoming a major educational attraction.
3. 2002: The Keeper of the Plains statue underwent major renovations and improvements.
4. 2003: Wichita’s downtown area began a significant revitalization project.
5. 2004: The Wichita River Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary.
6. 2005: INTRUST Bank Arena, a major event and sports venue, was announced.
7. 2006: Wichita State University’s basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
8. 2007: The city launched the Wichita Transit’s Q-Line, a free downtown shuttle service.
9. 2008: Wichita hosted the National Baseball Congress World Series.
10. 2009: The Wichita Art Museum celebrated its 75th anniversary.
11. 2010: The population of Wichita surpassed 382,000 according to the U.S. Census.
12. 2011: The restored Orpheum Theatre reopened to the public.
13. 2012: Wichita experienced a significant revitalization of the Historic Old Town district.
14. 2013: The Advanced Learning Library project was announced, enhancing Wichita’s library system.
15. 2014: Wichita State University’s men’s basketball team had an undefeated regular season.
16. 2015: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport opened a new terminal.
17. 2016: The Wichita Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 70th anniversary.
18. 2017: Wichita’s Douglas Design District began major streetscape improvements.
19. 2018: The city launched the Wichita Bike Share program.
20. 2019: Wichita celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding.
21. 2010: The ICT Pop-Up Urban Park opened in downtown Wichita.
22. 2011: The city launched its first major solar power project.
22. 2012: Wichita hosted the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics.
23. 2013: The city’s Delano District underwent significant redevelopment.
24. 2014: Wichita celebrated the opening of the Advanced Learning Library.
26. 2015: The Wichita Riverfront Stadium, a new baseball stadium, was proposed.
27. 2016: The city’s first food truck plaza opened.
28. 2017: Wichita was named a finalist in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.
29. 2018: The city launched a major initiative to revitalize the historic Douglas Avenue.
30. 2019: Wichita State University inaugurated a new Innovation Campus.
2000 to Date - Wichita - Did You Know... (Part 2)
31. 2020: The city marked its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary with a year-long celebration
32. 2002: The city introduced the Wichita Walk of Fame to honor local celebrities.
33. 2003: Wichita’s first community garden was established in the Riverside neighborhood.
34. 2004: The city hosted its inaugural Tallgrass Film Festival.
35. 2005: Wichita State University celebrated its 100th anniversary.
36. 2006: The Great Plains Nature Center expanded its interactive exhibits.
37. 2007: The Wichita Wind Surge, a minor league baseball team, was announced.
38. 2008: The city’s historic Union Station began extensive restoration.
39. 2009: The WaterWalk development, combining commercial and residential spaces, was inaugurated.
40. 2010: The ICT Pop-Up Urban Park opened in downtown Wichita.
41. 2011: The city launched its first major solar power project.
42. 2012: Wichita hosted the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics.
43. 2013: The city’s Delano District underwent significant redevelopment.
44. 2014: Wichita celebrated the opening of the Advanced Learning Library.
45. 2015: The Wichita Riverfront Stadium, a new baseball stadium, was proposed.
46. 2016: The city’s first food truck plaza opened.
47. 2017: Wichita was named a finalist in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.
48. 2018: The city launched a major initiative to revitalize the historic Douglas Avenue.
49. 2019: Wichita State University inaugurated a new Innovation Campus.
50. 2020: The city marked its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary with a year-long celebration.
51. 2000: Wichita celebrated the new millennium with various city-wide events.
52. 2001: Exploration Place expanded its exhibits, becoming a major educational attraction.
53. 2002: The Keeper of the Plains statue underwent major renovations and improvements.
54. 2003: Wichita’s downtown area began a significant revitalization project.
55. 2004: The Wichita River Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary.
56. 2005: INTRUST Bank Arena, a major event and sports venue, was announced.
57. 2006: Wichita State University’s basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
58. 2007: The city launched the Wichita Transit’s Q-Line, a free downtown shuttle service.
59. 2008: Wichita hosted the National Baseball Congress World Series.
60. 2009: The Wichita Art Museum celebrated its 75th anniversary.
2000 to Date - Wichita - Did You Know... (Part 3)
61. 2010: The population of Wichita surpassed 382,000 according to the U.S. Census.
62. 2011: The restored Orpheum Theatre reopened to the public.
63. 2012: Wichita experienced a significant revitalization of the Historic Old Town district.
64. 2013: The Advanced Learning Library project was announced, enhancing Wichita’s library system.
65. 2014: Wichita State University’s men’s basketball team had an undefeated regular season.
66. 2015: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport opened a new terminal.
67. 2016: The Wichita Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 70th anniversary.
68. 2017: Wichita’s Douglas Design District began major streetscape improvements.
69. 2018: The city launched the Wichita Bike Share program.
70. 2019: Wichita celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding.
71. 2001: The Sedgwick County Zoo opened its new Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit.
72. 2002: The city introduced the Wichita Walk of Fame to honor local celebrities.
73. 2003: Wichita’s first community garden was established in the Riverside neighborhood.
74. 2004: The city hosted its inaugural Tallgrass Film Festival.
75. 2005: Wichita State University celebrated its 100th anniversary.
76. 2006: The Great Plains Nature Center expanded its interactive exhibits.
77. 2007: The Wichita Wind Surge, a minor league baseball team, was announced.
78. 2008: The city’s historic Union Station began extensive restoration.
79. 2009: The WaterWalk development, combining commercial and residential spaces, was inaugurated.
80. 2010: The ICT Pop-Up Urban Park opened in downtown Wichita.
81. 2011: The city launched its first major solar power project.
82. 2012: Wichita hosted the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics.
83. 2013: The city’s Delano District underwent significant redevelopment.
84. 2014: Wichita celebrated the opening of the Advanced Learning Library.
85. 2015: The Wichita Riverfront Stadium, a new baseball stadium, was proposed.
86. 2016: The city’s first food truck plaza opened.
87. 2017: Wichita was named a finalist in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.
88. 2018: The city launched a major initiative to revitalize the historic Douglas Avenue.
89. 2019: Wichita State University inaugurated a new Innovation Campus.
90. 2020: The city marked its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary with a year-long celebration.
2000 to Date - Wichita - Did You Know... (Part 4)
91. 2000: Wichita celebrated the new millennium with various city-wide events.
92. 2001: Exploration Place expanded its exhibits, becoming a major educational attraction.
93. 2002: The Keeper of the Plains statue underwent major renovations and improvements.
94. 2003: Wichita’s downtown area began a significant revitalization project.
95. 2004: The Wichita River Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary.
96. 2005: INTRUST Bank Arena, a major event and sports venue, was announced.
97. 2006: Wichita State University’s basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
98. 2007: The city launched the Wichita Transit’s Q-Line, a free downtown shuttle service.
99. 2008: Wichita hosted the National Baseball Congress World Series.
100. 2009: The Wichita Art Museum celebrated its 75th anniversary.
101. 2010: The population of Wichita surpassed 382,000 according to the U.S. Census.
102. 2011: The restored Orpheum Theatre reopened to the public.
103. 2012: Wichita experienced a significant revitalization of the Historic Old Town district.
104. 2013: The Advanced Learning Library project was announced, enhancing Wichita’s library system.
105. 2014: Wichita State University’s men’s basketball team had an undefeated regular season.
106. 2015: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport opened a new terminal.
107. 2016: The Wichita Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 70th anniversary.
108. 2017: Wichita’s Douglas Design District began major streetscape improvements.
109. 2018: The city launched the Wichita Bike Share program.
110. 2019: Wichita celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding.
111. 2001: The Sedgwick County Zoo opened its new Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit.
112. 2002: The city introduced the Wichita Walk of Fame to honor local celebrities.
113. 2003: Wichita’s first community garden was established in the Riverside neighborhood.
114. 2004: The city hosted its inaugural Tallgrass Film Festival.
115. 2005: Wichita State University celebrated its 100th anniversary.
116. 2006: The Great Plains Nature Center expanded its interactive exhibits.
117. 2007: The Wichita Wind Surge, a minor league baseball team, was announced.
118. 2008: The city’s historic Union Station began extensive restoration.
119. 2009: The WaterWalk development, combining commercial and residential spaces, was inaugurated.
120. 2001: The Sedgwick County Zoo opened its new Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit.
Cultivating Culture and Community
The early 2000s saw Wichita placing a renewed focus on its cultural and social fabric. The city’s downtown area underwent a major revitalization, with the opening of the INTRUST Bank Arena in 2010 serving as a catalyst for further development. This period also saw the growth of Wichita’s arts scene, with events like the Final Friday Art Crawl becoming city traditions.
Wichita’s commitment to community was evident in its efforts to enhance public spaces and parks. Projects like the renovation of Naftzger Park and the development of the Advanced Learning Library added to the city’s appeal, making it a more livable and engaging urban center.
Wichita Future
In recent years, Wichita has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Initiatives such as the adoption of green building practices and the introduction of the Wichita Bike Share program reflect the city’s efforts to create a sustainable future.
Moreover, Wichita has continued to invest in its future, with plans for the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan aiming to transform the Arkansas Riverfront into a vibrant, mixed-use area. These developments signify Wichita’s dedication to growth is both forward-looking and mindful of environmental impacts.
Wichita's Journey Through the 21st Century
Reflecting on Wichita’s evolution from 2000 to date reveals a dynamic city, innovative, and deeply connected to its community. From its roots in aviation to its flourishing arts scene and commitment to sustainability, Wichita has shown resilience and adaptability in facing the challenges and opportunities of the new millennium.
As residents and visitors explore the city’s landmarks, participate in its cultural events, and enjoy its green spaces, they are part of a living story of progress and transformation. Wichita invites everyone to discover its past, experience its vibrant present, and look forward to its bright future.
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1stWichitaGuide.com
As we all know, Wichita is an exciting city. To list the city highlights of decades to a small list is really an injustice. Space is limited. However, if you think we left an important date out of our list, please click the contact button below and share your information. Thank you.