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Wichita Falls, Texas

Located in Wichita County, Texas, Wichita Falls was established in 1876. The waterfall Wichita Falls was named for was destroyed by a flood in the 1880s. A man-made replacement waterfall was built in 1987.
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Founded 1876 | Population 102,000 | Peak 102,000 (2024) | County Wichita County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Wichita Falls, Texas

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1876 Settlement Founded: Named for small waterfall on Wichita River (later destroyed).
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1911 Oil Boom: Electra oil field makes Wichita Falls boomtown.
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1941 Sheppard AFB: Major Air Force training base.
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1979 Terrible Tuesday Tornado: F4 tornado kills 42; worst in city history.
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2010 Modern Era: Wichita Falls continued to develop as part of the region, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
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Latest News in Wichita Falls

Mar 5, 2026
Oregon Democrats Block ICE Notification for Felony Convicts
Oregon Democratic senators have unanimously blocked a bill that would have mandated state authorities to notify U.S. Immigration a…
Jan 1, 2016
Mother Claims her 3 Sons Were Kicked Out of School Because of her Onlyfans Account
A Texas mother sparked outrage in early 2016 when she accused her sons’ school of expelling the three boys over her work on …
Dec 18, 2015
Controversy Sparked Over Texas Sandwich Shop Sign Photo
TEXAS — Back in December 2015, a simple photo of a sign outside a small sandwich shop in the Dallas area set off a wave of outra…
Nov 9, 2015
Cruz Presidents Should Start Every Day Prayer
WASHINGTON — On November 9, 2015, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz stirred up conversation with a bold suggestion that…
Oct 23, 2015
Military Veteran Biker Group Takes Action when Squatters Steal Soldiers
In a small Texas town back in October 2015, a group of military veteran bikers stepped in to protect one of their own when squatte…
Oct 20, 2015
Bride Set Fire her Husband After she Sleeps Ex Flame
In a quiet suburb outside Dallas, Texas — where life usually unfolds with the predictability of suburban sprawl — a wedding ni…

Complete Historical Timeline

1876 Culture
Settlement Founded
1911 Industry
Oil Boom
1941 Government
Sheppard AFB
1979 Disaster
Terrible Tuesday Tornado
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
The waterfall Wichita Falls was named for was destroyed by a flood in the 1880s.
2
A man-made replacement waterfall was built in 1987.
3
Sheppard AFB is one of the largest technical training bases in the Air Force.
4
Wichita Falls is located in Wichita County, Texas.
5
Wichita Falls was founded in 1876.

Famous People from Wichita Falls, Texas

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Rex Tillerson
Businessperson, Engineer · Born Mar 23, 1952 · Age 73
GA
Greg Abbott
Judge, Lawyer · Born Nov 13, 1957 · Age 68
GC
Greyson Chance
Composer, Singer · Born Aug 16, 1997 · Age 28
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Mike Mullane
Astronaut, Military Officer · Born Sep 10, 1945 · Age 80
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Keith Lee
Professional Wrestler · Born Nov 8, 1984 · Age 41

Other Cities in Texas

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H
Houston
Pop. 2,304,580
SA
San Antonio
Pop. 1,434,625
D
Dallas
Pop. 1,304,379
A
Austin
Pop. 978,908
FW
Fort Worth
Pop. 918,915
EP
El Paso
Pop. 682,893
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