Timeline of Oklahoma City

Prior to 20th century

1889

April 22: Settlement established on Unassigned Lands of the United States.

Oklahoma Times, Weekly Oklahoman, and Oklahoma Gazette newspapers begin publication.

1890

Town charted in Oklahoma Territory.

W.J. Gault becomes mayor.

Population: 4,151.

1896 - January: Statehood convention held.

1900s-1940s

1901

Epworth University founded.

Douglass High School active (approximate date).

1902 - Oklahoma Historical Society headquartered in Oklahoma City.

1905 - Brock Dry Goods in business.

1906 - Oklahoma College for Young Women founded.

1907

Town becomes part of the new U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Population: 32,452.

Elmer L. Fulton becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.

1908

Temple B’nai Israel synagogue built.

Dick Thompson Morgan becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.

1909 - Colcord Building constructed.

1910

Oklahoma state capital relocated to Oklahoma City from Guthrie.

Cattlemen's Cafe in business.

Population: 64,205.

1911

Oklahoma City University established.

Skirvin Hotel in business.

1913 - Board of Health established.

1915 - Joseph Bryan Thompson becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1916

Black Dispatch newspaper begins publication.

Blackwood David Business College established.

1917 - Emanuel Synagogue active.

1918 - Cain's Coffee Building constructed.

1919

Lake Overholser reservoir and Oklahoma State Capitol built.

Aldridge Theater opens (approximate date).

John W. Harreld becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1920 - Population: 91,295.

1921

Calvary Baptist Church built.

Fletcher B. Swank becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1922 - Ritz Theater opens.

1925 - Oklahoma City Blue Devils jazz band active.

1927 - New Quayle Methodist Episcopal Church built.

1928 - Oil discovered.

1929 - Ulysses S. Stone becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district

1930 - Population: 185,389.

1931

Union Station opens.

First National Bank Building constructed.

Fletcher Swank becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district again.

1934

Taft Stadium built.

Santa Fe Depot opens.

1935 - Joshua B. Lee becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1937

Daily Law Journal Record newspaper headquartered in city.

Robert P. Hill becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, succeeded by Gomer Griffith Smith.

1939 - Mike Monroney becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1940 - Population: 204,424.

1941 - U.S. military Tinker Air Force Base established.

1946 - Urban League established.

1948 - Milk Bottle Grocery in business.

1950s-1990s

1950

Circle Drive-In cinema opens.

Population: 243,504.

1951 - John Jarman becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1954 - Griffin Television Tower erected.

1955 - Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum established.

1958 - Oklahoma City sit-ins led by Clara Luper for racial desegregation begin.

1960

Penn Square Mall in business.

Population: 324,253.

1962 - Oklahoma City 89ers baseball team formed.

1964

July: Oklahoma City sonic boom tests begin.

Founders Tower built.

1965

Central Business District redevelopment plan adopted.

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City established.

1966

Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority established.

Citizens Bank Tower built.

1968 - Harn Homestead and 1889ers Museum founded.

1969

August 19: Sanitation labor strike begins.

Oklahoma City Community Foundation established.

1970

Oklahoma Theater Center built.

Population: 366,481.

1971

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center active.

Patience Latting becomes mayor.

Chase Tower built.

1972

Premiere of Western film J. W. Coop.

Myriad Convention Center opens.

Henry Overholser historic site established.

1974 - Underground pedestrian concourse built.

1976 - 45th Infantry Division Museum established.

1977

Murrah Federal Building constructed.

Mickey Edwards becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1979 - Black Chronicle newspaper begins publication.

1980

Oklahoma City Food Bank organized.

Population: 403,213.

1983 - Andy Coats becomes mayor.

1984 - Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation established.

1987

Grusendorf v. City of Oklahoma City smoking-related lawsuit decided.

Ron Norick becomes mayor.

1988

Oklahoma City Pride begins.

Myriad Botanical Gardens Tropical Conservatory opens.

1990 - Population: 444,719.

1993 - Ernest Istook becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

1994 - Grateful Bean Cafe opens.

1995

April 19: Oklahoma City bombing.

City website online.

1999 - Kirk Humphreys becomes mayor.

21st century

2000 - Population: 506,132.

2001 - Oklahoma City National Memorial opens.

2002

Ford Center stadium opens.

Oklahoma City Lightning women's football team formed.

2003 - Guy Liebmann becomes mayor.

2004 - Mick Cornett becomes mayor.

2005 - Will Rogers World Airport's new terminal opens.

2006 - Douglass Mid-High School built.

2007 - Mary Fallin becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

2008 - Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team active.

2010

Oklahoma City Barons ice hockey team active.

Population: 579,999.

2011 - James Lankford becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

2012 - Devon Tower built.

2014 - Municipal Archives established.

2015 - Steve Russell becomes U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.