Wichita
Kansas
City Of Wichita
Archaeological evidence indicates that the site of present-day Wichita, which is located at the junction of the Arkansas Rivers in south central Kansas, has served as a trading center and meeting place for at least eleven thousand years. Early inhabitants were nomadic, following the game they hunted throughout the central continent. European explorers may have first visited Kansas in 1541, when the Spaniard Francisco Vasquez de Coronado hunted for the mythical "golden" cities of Quivira. French and American explorers followed in later centuries.
The forces of westward expansion and financial rewards attracted the first white settlers to the area in the 1850s and 1860s, some of whom realized great profits from hunting and trapping the wildlife and trading with the native population. Among them were James R. Mead, Jesse Chisholm, William Greiffenstein, and William Mathewson; men who later shared a vision for a city on the prairie.
The first recorded permanent settlement was a collection of grass houses built in 1863 by the Wichita Indians. Due to the tribe's pro-Union sentiment in the midst of the Civil War, the Wichita moved north from Indian Territory (Oklahoma) under the protection of the U.S. government. J. R. Mead, among others, established profitable businesses trading with the Wichita and supplying the government agency charged with their protection. When the region's native peoples were "removed" to Indian Territory in 1867 to open the area for white settlement, the trading business followed them, using the Wichita site as a base and establishing the Chisholm Trail as a route of transport.
The City of Wichita was incorporated in 1870 as a village due to the efforts of Mead, Greiffenstein and other pioneers, and became county seat of Sedgwick County soon thereafter. A short-lived army post known as Camp Beecher was established nearby, providing a market for local businesses. In 1872, the railroad arrived, and Wichita became the destination for Texas cattle being driven north along the Chisholm Trail for shipment by rail to eastern markets. This industry coupled with the grain and milling market, led to rapid growth of the community. By 1886 Wichita was incorporated as a city of first class, and was established as the region's principal city.
Just as the city experienced its initial growth during the post-Civil War era, so did the periods of the two 20th-century world wars bring further development. In 1917, the first plane, the Cessna Comet, was manufactured in Wichita. Over the course of the inter-war years, this industry would grow to establish Wichita as the "air capital." World War II brought thousands of aircraft manufacturing jobs to the city in the early 1940's, resulting in a population explosion. Activation of the Wichita Air Force Base (renamed McConnell in 1954) in 1951 attracted thousands more. The entrepreneurial spirit that prompted Wichita's founding continued in the development of several companies that would rise to national prominence, such as Mentholatum, Boeing, Beech, Lear, Cessna, Coleman, White Castle, Pizza Hut, and Koch Industries.
Wichita today reflects the impact of each development throughout its history. Evidence of these eras can still be seen in the city's architectural heritage. From the mansions of the early cattlemen to the industrial buildings of the 20th century, the spirit of those who built Wichita into a manufacturing, financial, educational and cultural center lives on.
Recent News
City Relaunching Home Repair Program
City Relaunching Home Repair Program The City of Wichita has revamped its Home Repair program and will open applications and the wait list on February 1. The Home Repair program assists low- and moderate-income homeowners with critical home…
Read More »James Quint Named City’s New Director of Old Cowtown Museum
The City of Wichita today announced James Quint as the new Director of Old Cowtown Museum. Quint has more than 17 years of museum experience, including most recently serving as the Executive Director for the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport,…
Read More »RFP Reopens for Re-Use of Central Library Building
The City of Wichita is reissuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for adaptive re-use and rehabilitation of the former Central Library building located at 233 S. Main Street, adjacent to Century II. Last spring, the City of Wichita first opened…
Read More »ICT Celebrates Inaugural Flight to D.C.
ICT Celebrates Inaugural Flight to D.C. American Airlines and Wichita Eisenhower National Airport marked a milestone yesterday with the commencement of their inaugural nonstop flight from ICT to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). The…
Read More »Wichita Police Investigates Fatal Hit And Run
Wichita, KS - The Wichita Police Department is actively investigating the tragic hit and run death of 52 year old James. Dolton., who was fatally struck by a vehicle in the 2400 block of Seneca Street. The incident occurred just after 9:40 p.m. on…
Read More »Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization News - January 5, 2024
WAMPO FFY2023-FFY2026 Transportation Improvement Program The Public Comment Period for 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #6 Is Open The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) has opened the public comment…
Read More »Autism Outreach Program
Autism Outreach Program WICHITA, KS - Today the Wichita Police Department (WPD), Heartspring, Sedgwick County Sheriff, and Sedgwick County Emergency Communications are pleased to announce the availability of applications for the Autism…
Read More »Botanica Director to Depart
Botanica Director to Depart The City of Wichita and Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, jointly announced today that Director of Botanica, Dawn Hewitt, is leaving her position to return to her hometown of Austin, TX, citing a need to be closer to…
Read More »2024 Cultural Funding Grants Approved, Artist Access Grants Open
On Dec 19th, the Wichita City Council awarded 10 Artist Access grants to local artists for 2024 and opened applications for the program. Applications were judged based on adherence to the goals of the program, quality of the application, and impact…
Read More »City to Hold Next Set of Public Housing Open Houses
Additional open houses have been scheduled for 11 single family homes listed for sale as the City of Wichita continues to reposition the Wichita Housing Authority’s single-family public housing portfolio. First review of offers will take place…
Read More »Dick’s Sporting Goods Awards $100k to Wichita Parks Foundation
The Wichita Parks Foundation was awarded $100,000 to go toward programmable lighting at the baseball field at McAdams Park. The award was announced as part of the first round of funding through the Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative, a…
Read More »ICT Hosting TSA Precheck Enrollment Event
Wichita Eisenhower National Airport and IDEMIA will host a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Event in October. The event will be held in the meeting rooms on the mezzanine level of the terminal. Parking is free in the short-term lot for the first 60 minutes.…
Read More »City Of Wichita News - Wichita Library Partner on Maker Faire Wichita
Exploration Place, Wichita Library Partner on Maker Faire Wichita Exploration Place and the Advanced Learning Library are partnering to bring the Maker Faire back to Wichita on Saturday, Aug. 26. Maker Faire is a family friendly showcase of…
Read More »Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization News - August 11, 2023
Dear American Towns, We hope this email finds you well. WAMPO is excited to announce the upcoming 2023 Bike-Ped Count, an essential initiative to gather data on bicycle and pedestrian activity in our region. To make this count a success, we need…
Read More »Daily Flights to Phoenix Begin November 5, 2023
Daily Flights to Phoenix Begin November 5 American Airlines will offer daily, nonstop flights from Wichita to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport beginning Sunday, Nov. 5. The flights will be operated with a 65-seat CRJ-700 aircraft that…
Read More »Cultural Arts Strategic Plan Seeks Community Input
Today, the City of Wichita Division of Arts and Cultural Services announced the launch of a community survey in coordination with the Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at Wichita State University. The division is currently reviewing and…
Read More »Wichita Receives NEA 'Our Town' Grant for Cultural Arts
Wichita Receives NEA ‘Our Town’ Grant for Cultural Arts On Thursday, May 25, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that the City of Wichita has been approved for a $75,000 award in support of “A City Where I…
Read More »