Timeline of Douala

Prior to 20th century

1845 - Alfred Saker arrives in Douala.

1849 - Native Baptist Church of Douala built.

1859 (July 8) - Arrangement Anglo-douala signed.

1868 - The company Woermann-Linie in Cameroon

1881 - The company Woermann-Linie receives the authorization to build a factory (trading post) in Deido.

1884 - Germans in power (the treaty between the Douala and Germans is signed; Cameroon becomes a German protectorate.

1885 - Construction (1885-1890) of a prefabricate iron house for King Ndumbe Lobe.

1886 - The Protestant Mission of Basel takes the place of the Mission of London.

1887 (February) - Construction of the postoffice.

1888

(March) - Construction of a school in Joss (directed by Théodor Christaller arrived in Cameroon in 1887).

Construction of a brickyard (before, building materials were imported by Germans from Hamburg).

Fracture between the Protestant Mission of Basel and the "Natives". Construction of a new church by the natives and led by Josua Dibundu.

1890 - First documented plan of the city, Deutsches Kolonial Blatt.

1891 - German government headquarters built.

1893 - Revolt of the German troops composed of former slaves of Dahomey enrolled in the German army to pay back their liberation.

1896 - General Hospital built.

The German Baptists Missioners of Berlin arrive in Cameroon.

20th century

1901 - Kamerunstadt renamed "Douala."

1905 - Palace of the Kings Bell built.

1906 - Mwendi Ma Musango Baptist newspaper begins publication.

1907

Capital of German Cameroon relocated from Douala to Buea.

1908 - Elolombe Ya Cameroun Protestant newspaper begins publication.

1909 - The railway line Bonaberi-Nkongsamba (160 km) is inaugurated.

1910

Villa Mandessi Bell (residence) built.

Robbery from Deutsch Westafrikanische Bank.

Population: 22,000.

1911 - The railway line Douala-Edea is inaugurated

1913

Eseka-Douala railway constructed.

The German urban plan is implemented by moving the population to New Deido, New Akwa and New Bell and by creating a 1 km Freie Zone to separate those areas from the European city.

1914

September: British forces in Douala.

New Bell established.

1917 (February) Louis-Ferdinand Céline is hospitalized in Douala.

1919 - Town becomes part of French Cameroun.

1921 - Capital of French Cameroun relocated from Douala to Yaounde.

1927 - Oryx Douala football club formed.

1928 - Chamber of Commerce building constructed.

1930 - Mbale newspaper begins publication.

1931

Palace of Justice built.

Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of Douala established.

1936 - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Douala built.

1941 - Radio Douala begins broadcasting.

1944 - Population: 37,751.

1945 - Riots.

1948 - Brasseries du Cameroun in business.

1949

Association des femmes de l'Union Francaise au Cameroun headquartered in Douala.

Population: 67,925.

1954 - Bonaberi Bridge built.

1955

L'Effort Camerounais and La Presse du Cameroun newspapers begin publication.

Construction of the bridge between Douala and Bonaberi.

1956 - Population: 124,703.

1957 - Union Douala football club formed.

1958 - Stade Akwa built.

1959 - 31 December: Unrest.

1960 - 1 January: City becomes part of the Republic of Cameroon.

1963 - Centre Culturel Americain active.

1964 - Centre Culturel Francais active.

1965 - Pan African Institute for Development regional headquarters established in Douala.

1972

Stade de la Réunification built.

February–March: City hosts 1972 African Cup of Nations.

1974

Commune Urbaine de Douala (urban council) established.

Cameroon Tribune newspaper begins publication.

1978 - American School founded.

1979 - Le Messager newspaper begins publication.

1986 - Maritime Museum founded.

1987 - Communauté urbaine de Douala created.

1990 - Population: 931,000 (urban agglomeration).

1991

General strike.

Doual'art (art centre) founded.

1992 - Commune Urbaine d`Arrondissement Douala V created.

1993 - University of Douala founded.

1997 - Commercial Bank Cameroon and Commercial Bank Group headquartered in city.

1999 - Festival International de Voix de Femmes begins (women's fest).

21st century

2000 - Population: 1,432,000 (urban agglomeration).

2001 - Douala Stock Exchange and Accueil Femmes Francophones de Douala founded.

2002

World Bank Douala Infrastructure Project launched.

Astres Football Club formed.

2004 - March: Taxi strike.

2005

City website online (approximate date).

Art biennale begins.

Population: 1,907,479.

2007

Salon Urbain de Douala (art fair) begins.

5 May: Airplane crash near city.

2008

February: Anti-government protest.

City becomes capital of Littoral Region (Cameroon).

2010 - Drinking water shortage.