Quality of Life
You’ll love living in Wichita Falls.
The Wichita Falls area offers an appealing blend of small-town living and easily accessible metropolitan and suburban attractions.
Quality of Life
Here, residents and visitors find a wide variety of organized activities as well as cultural, academic and sporting events for all ages. The area’s mild winter temperatures encourage year-round outdoor hobbies and pursuits. And if you seek the excitement of urban activities such as professional sports, world renowned musical events, fairs, rodeos or other large entertainment venues, you can find them all within a two-hour drive to destinations like the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or Oklahoma City, OK.
10 Things You Should Know About Wichita Falls
(1) The Falls: Our namesake falls washed away in 1886. The waterfall you see today was constructed upstream in 1987 and currently welcomes all southbound motorists on I-44.
(2) Sheppard Air Force Base: Sheppard Air Force Base (SAFB) was established in 1941 to provide aircrew and aircraft maintainers training during World War II, lending to the motto “Combat Capability Starts Here!” Today, Sheppard is the only Air Force base that is home to both technical and flying training. Sheppard is also the largest, most diverse training base and is the only internationally staffed and operated Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program.
(3) A Stop for Amelia Earhart: Amelia Earhart, an American aviation pioneer, flew her Beechnut Autogiro into Wichita Falls in 1931.
(4) A Park City: Our city features almost 40 parks, ranging from small neighborhood facilities to large 250+ acre recreation areas, including a public 18-hole golf course, and 30+ miles of hiking, biking and walking trails.
(5) Entrepreneurial Paths: Two of the most notable and familiar roads in Wichita Falls are named after the 1910s dynamic duo of brother-in-laws: Joseph A. Kemp and Frank Kell. Kemp and Kell were both entrepreneurs and pioneered early businesses in a diverse range of industries, including oil, banking, ranching, railroad and food processing.
(6) Water Is a Driving Force: The idea for the iconic Camelbak water bottle backpack originated in 1989 during the Hotter’N Hell Hundred cycling event. EMT Michael Eidson stuffed a water-filled IV bag in a white tube sock and hung it over his shoulder so he would have constant access to hydration during his ride.
(7) World’s Littlest Skyscraper: Our renowned “World’s Littlest Skyscraper” was the result of a swindler who secured investment for a state-of-the-art skyscraper with offices, retail space and apartments, but drew the schematics in square inches instead of square feet. The skyscraper stands 40 feet tall and features four stories.
(8) “Terrible Tuesday:” “Terrible Tuesday” refers to a series of three F4 tornadoes that devasted Wichita Falls and the surrounding area in 1979 causing over $400 million in damage. Though the storm caused massive destruction, the outpouring of unity that enveloped the City immediately afterward is still talked about today.
(9) Commitment to Education: Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) is currently building two state-of-the-art high schools with the first anticipated school year beginning in 2024.
(10) Famous Friends: We have some famous friends from Wichita Falls, including Mia Hamm, Dr. Phil McGraw and Governor Greg Abbott.
Looking for something to do?
Follow the links below for quick access to local amenities and resources.
The Wichita Falls Chamber Business Directory should be the first stop in your search for local restaurants, entertainment, arts and culture, shopping and more.
Founded in 1872, the pro-business mindset of the City of Wichita Falls is founded in its rich history as a center for agricultural production and oil manufacturing.
The Wichita Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) offers a thorough inventory and timely calendar detailing the community assets of Wichita Falls.
Downtown Wichita Falls Development preserves and perpetuates the buildings and historical sites, as well as the customs and traditions, that enrich Wichita Falls.
Over 13,000 cyclists from around the globe come to Wichita Falls each year for the Hotter’n Hell Hundred, one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation.
The Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center (MPEC) is committed to bringing the best entertainment to the Texoma area year-round.