Virtual Tour Of Historic Wichita Falls (click play and hear how
Wichita Falls began) A Short History of Wichita Falls In the
1800s, the Wichita Falls, Texas area was home to the Wichita
Indians. A small waterfall near their village is thought to be
the origin of the city’s name. A life-sized sculpture by local
artist Jack Stevens depicts the legend, telling how an Indian
brave sent his squaw into the river to find a shallow place to
cross. When she said “wee chi tah” meaning “waist deep” – she
had found the best spot. Folklore stories indicate Mr. John A.
Scott acquired 19 Texas land certificates, good for 640 acres
each, in a poker game with this land later becoming Wichita
Falls. The town was platted in 1876 by M.W. Seeley who was hired
by heirs of John A. Scott. A small community had already begun
to form by the time J.H. Barwise moved his family to Wichita
Falls in 1880. In September 1882, the first train arrived and
town lots sold briskly. As some of the first permanent settlers,
the Barwise family set a