Wichita Falls Public LIbrary

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Explore the past of Wichita Falls, Texas through newspapers in the community archive shared by the Wichita Falls Public LIbrary. Its thirteen titles include material from 1907 to 2026.

Free access is available at the institution

Bring the names, dates, or questions you hope to investigate when you consult the collection.

Confirm access arrangements before planning an in-person visit.

• Selected titles

  Selected titles from Wichita Falls Public LIbrary include “The Grapevine Sun” and “Wichita Weekly Times”.

• In-person access

  Visit or contact the institution for access details.

• Ways to explore

  Explore a connection with Wichita Falls from more than one perspective, keeping each source’s time and purpose in view.

Reporting from the time can reveal how people described the events, work and concerns of their day, placing a local story within the history unfolding around it. Whether you are tracing a family connection, exploring a local event or sharing history with a class, there is more to discover than names and dates alone.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Browse thirteen titles and 1,903,024 digitized pages, with material from 1907 to 2026. This collection is shared through Wichita Falls Public LIbrary's partnership with Advantage Archives. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown. The title list can help you plan in-person research. Contact the institution to confirm access before your visit.

Follow a family connection or a question about the community through the titles below and the history they preserve.

The Grapevine Sun

24 pages in 1978

The Sheppard Senator

1,442 pages from 1977 to 1978

The Times Record News

732 pages in 2024

Times Record

816 pages in 2024

Times Record News

3,384 pages in 2018

Times Record News

728 pages in 2024

Times Record News

1,031,486 pages from 1987 to 2026

Wichita Daily Times

66,450 pages from 1907 to 1921

Wichita Falls Daily Times

60 pages in 1920

Wichita Falls Record News

280,326 pages from 1973 to 1987

Wichita Falls Times

514,174 pages from 1956 to 1987

Wichita Falls Times Record News

346 pages from 1969 to 1970

Wichita Weekly Times

3,056 pages from 1908 to 1916

Visit or contact the institution for access details.

Partner Story

This Resource Is Only Accessible At The Library

While access to these archives is free, visitors must visit the library to view them. We encourage you to visit the Wichita Falls Public Library to explore these archives and take advantage of their other services and resources. Whether researching family history, delving into local history, or seeking a quiet place to read and learn, the library provides a welcoming environment and extensive support to meet your needs.

About the Archive

About The Wichita Falls History Archives

The Wichita Falls Public Library, in collaboration with Advantage Archives , proudly offers free access to a robust digital archive of local historical newspapers. This collection includes nearly one million pages and spans from the early 20th century to the present, documenting the evolving landscape of Wichita Falls through newspapers such as the Times Record News and Wichita Falls Times. The Wichita Falls History Archives are an invaluable resource for research and historical insight.

• Times Record News (1987-2024)
• Wichita Falls Times (1956-1987)
• Wichita Falls Record News (1973-1987)
• Wichita Daily Times (1907-1921)
• Wichita Weekly Times (1908-1916)

• The Sheppard Senator (1977-1978)
• Wichita Falls Times Record News (1969-1970)
• Wichita Falls Daily Times (1920-1920)
• The Grapevine Sun (1978-1978)

This comprehensive archive serves as a witness to the city's history, culture, and community life over the decades.

About the Library

About The Wichita Falls Public Library

Nestled in the bustling heart of downtown Wichita Falls, the Wichita Falls Public Library is more than just a repository of books—it’s a beacon of knowledge and a cornerstone of community interaction. This institution, which originated from the historic Kemp Public Library, made a significant transition in 1998 to its current premises, a beautifully renovated structure that once served as the City’s Activity Center. Governed by the City of Wichita Falls and steered by a dedicated Advisory Board, the library is an active, dynamic force in the lives of its 104,576 residents. It offers an extensive range of services, including book lending, internet access, educational programs, and a host of cultural events that cater to all ages. The library’s architecture, featuring spacious reading rooms and modern facilities, mirrors the community’s commitment to blending tradition with forward-thinking ideals, making it a pivotal space for learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth in Wichita Falls.

Partner Story

The History Of Wichita Falls

The narrative of Wichita Falls is woven through with the threads of ambition and resilience characteristic of North Texas. The city’s origins are deeply rooted in the lands once roamed by the Wichita and Taovayas tribes, whose presence set the stage for a rich tapestry of history. As European traders and settlers arrived, the city became a focal point of burgeoning commerce and social exchange. The advent of the railroad in the late 19th century propelled Wichita Falls into a period of rapid growth, transforming it into a hub for agriculture and, later, the booming oil industry. However, the city’s true test of spirit came in 1979 when a catastrophic tornado struck. This event, one of the most severe in Texas history, became a defining moment of resilience as the community rallied to rebuild and revitalize its city, preserving its historical essence while steering it towards modernization and technological advancement. The city’s history is not just a story of events; it’s a testament to its people's enduring strength and unity.

Wichita Falls, Texas, stands as a testament to transformation and perseverance. Central to the economic fabric of North Texas, the city has played a critical role in the development of the agriculture and oil sectors. Over the decades, Wichita Falls has evolved from a modest farming community into a robust urban center known for its innovative spirit and economic resilience. Today, the city is renowned not just for its historical contributions to industry but also for its rich cultural life. The community’s dedication to maintaining vibrant public spaces like parks, libraries, and cultural centers adds layers of depth to the city’s social landscape. Wichita Falls also boasts a series of community-driven initiatives that enhance the quality of life for its residents, making it a model city that balances economic development with cultural enrichment.

Local History

Did You Know?

In 1979, Wichita Falls was struck by the most devastating tornado in Texas’s recorded history, reshaping vast portions of the cityscape. This disaster left profound marks on the community, both physical and emotional. However, the response to this calamity showcased the extraordinary resilience and solidarity of Wichita Falls’ residents. The city not only rebuilt but also improved, emerging stronger and more united. This remarkable recovery earned Wichita Falls national acclaim, highlighting its residents’ indomitable spirit. This event has since become a crucial part of the city’s identity, a story of overcoming adversity that continues to inspire both locals and visitors alike.

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Make a research visit count

Start with one question about Wichita Falls and the evidence you hope to find. The details shared by the Wichita Falls Public LIbrary can help frame it; contact the institution to confirm visit arrangements before making plans. Note which detail you hope to check and what remains uncertain, without assuming a source confirms a connection.

Check whether the collection description names a relevant title or date range. An incomplete description or unsuccessful search does not establish that a record never existed. Write down what you searched and what the description covers; if another source is suggested, ask what details to use when requesting it.

Keep the title, date, page, or item reference with each useful finding. Separate the words in a historical account from your interpretation, and note conflicting perspectives rather than choosing one too quickly. These notes help connect a local story to its evidence and show what remains uncertain. Note which details were confirmed and which remain open; a catalog description is not the same as the source it describes. Keep both points with the reference you plan to check.

Review collection titles →

Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Wichita Falls Public LIbrary, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships →

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

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Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”

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April 9, 2025

Unveiling the Hidden Mysteries: Exploring Cold Cases and Unconventional Clues

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April 1, 2025

This Week in History: March 31st through April 6th

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March 24, 2025

This Week in History: March 24th through March 30th

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March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.

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