Wichita Falls

In Downtown Wichita Falls, vintage brick buildings lay vacant, while gastropubs have filled others within the last decade. Unlike a booming metropolis, a wide-open feeling and less light pollution make the stars shine clearer at night, and traffic is minimal. The story of Wichita Falls begins here, at a river and a poker table. Back when the land was pure prairie, traveling Comanche sent a woman into a river to test its depth. "Wi Chi Ta," she called out, meaning waist deep in their language. Local lore says the land was later won in a poker game by a man from Mississippi in 1837. The city grew around a major oil boom but lost some of its shimmer after refineries closed in the '60s and a major tornado struck in the '70s, causing over $400 million in damages. The current economy is bolstered by several hospitals, Midwestern State University, and Sheppard Air Force Base — a NATO training facility 5 miles north. Streetscapes are being renewed downtown with added artistic crosswalk installations, bike racks and pole banners. At the same time, downtown celebrates its storied history by carefully preserving its landmarks, including "the world's littlest skyscraper." An average weekend might look like meeting at the farmers market or catching a live show at a community theater. Debbie Dobbins of Love to the Moon LLC, who runs her own YouTube channel devoted to Wichita Falls, says people move here for the friendly people and the low cost of living. Most residential options are between 11th Street and Kell West Boulevard, where a few businesses mix in, leading to a semi-urban feeling. Dobbins says homes are "old," as most trace back to the early 1900s, but not always considered historic. "Although I sold a home in the last six months that was considered number 13 on the historic list of homes in Wichita Falls," she says. Property conditions are mixed, with some residences showing heavy wear and tear. "There was an influx of vacant houses a couple years back, but they are all being bought out by investors," says Realtor Miguel Vasquez, who works for eXp Realty, LLC, and has sold homes in Wichita Falls for 2 years. Though investment is heavy, there is no new construction. Vasquez says houses are being flipped to sell or rent instead. Tiny craftsman-style homes, sometimes engulfed by trees, line the streets. Tudors, Victorians, and American Foursquares also dot the area. Prices range from around $60,000 for fixer-uppers under 1,400 square feet to around $225,000 for a larger, move-in-ready residence. Droughts come and go, according to Dobbins. She adds that Wichita Falls gets microbursts, essentially mini tornados, and plenty of hail. "We get severe weather alerts, and that just means there will be a lot of wind, a lot of rain, and thunderstorms are very common. I love thunderstorms. They are like a lullaby to me." Bellevue Park in downtown Wichita Falls spans nearly 4 grassy acres with nature trails weaving throughout. A hallmark of the park is a time capsule buried in 1976 that won't be unearthed until 2076 and contains mementos of the times. A concrete trail runs adjacent to the Wichita River and connects to Lucy Park's 176 acres, just next door on Sunset Drive. The park has a duck pond, a sound garden filled with instruments, disc golf fields and nature trails lined by cottonwood trees. The suspension bridge at Lucy Park is 60 years old and sways with every step across the Wichita River toward the local artificial waterfall. The waterfall was built in the '80s to replace the city's natural falls which washed away in the 1800s. Kids also enjoy a new playground at the park, installed in 2022. Weeks Park, 7 miles south off the Southwest Parkway, houses the city's municipal golf course and 9 lighted tennis courts. Downtown's 40-foot tall "skyscraper" is in the historic area between 5th and 8th streets. It's now occupied by a furniture and decor store, but was built by a conman to house business offices in the 1800s. The swindler claimed it would be over 400 feet tall before skipping town with today's equivalent of $3 million. Locals can find a range of pubs, comfort eats, and establishments devoted to the arts here. Wichita Falls Brewing Company is a modern, industrial-style brewpub serving local craft beers and wood-fired pizza. The Highlander Public House is a Celtic/Texas fusion restaurant with old-world classics like fish and chips. Locals head to Half Pint Taproom & Restoration Hall to sit at the bar and catch Midwestern State football games. For a Texas steak, McBrides Land & Cattle Co serves thick cuts of meat in a barn-style restaurant. One of the area's community theaters is across the street for a show. The Artistry sells local art and hosts art classes for the community. Locals gather year-round at the farmers' market for fresh produce, live music, and food trucks. The closest grocery store is Market Street, around 6 miles west. The Wichita Falls Independent School District is is currently in flux. The city's oldest high school is closing after celebrating its 100th year, and two new high schools are opening as of August 2024: Wichita Falls Memorial High School and Wichita Falls Legacy High School. Both will support virtual learning and more collaborative in-person learning through breakout rooms and a large auditorium. Hirschi Middle School, rated B plus by Niche, replaced Kirby Middle School — which was also aging out — in 2024. Students still attend Booker T. Washington Elementary School, rated C by Niche. City of Wichita Falls Public Library, on 11th street, is a quiet place to study after school. The library is a community hub, hosting reading challenges for different age groups, adult book clubs and movie nights for teens. For a convenient college track, Midwestern State University is around 4 miles south, with a 92% acceptance rate and a relatively low tuition after aid, at $10,000 a year. The Oklahoma border is just 20 miles north of Wichita Falls, earning it the nickname Texoma. The city is 100 miles from larger cities like Denton and Fort Worth and around 140 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. U.S. Route 277 and Interstate 44 bound downtown to the west. United Regional Health Care System is downtown on 11th street and Kell West Regional Hospital is around 7 miles west. Wichita Falls Regional Airport is around 5 miles north at Sheppard Air Force Base and it's used by civilians and military professionals. The airport is served by United Airlines, which takes people to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport daily. Falls Ride provides local transportation, with bus routes in downtown, including on 8th Street. Regionally, commutes are swift, according to Dobbins: “Tip to tip it would take you 20 minutes to get anywhere. Most everything is 10 minutes to where everything else is.” "One of the things about our town that I like is we have a symphony. The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, which is a professor symphony that’s been in existence for 76 years," says Tim Lockhart of Keller Williams Lonestar DFW, a 6th generation Texan who served at Sheppard Air Force Base before becoming a Realtor. The orchestra plays at Memorial Auditorium, on 7th Street, which was built in the 1920s to duplicate the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas. Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Events Center, on 5th Street, hosts the Wichita Falls PRCA Rodeo in August, drawing in 400 rodeo professionals and a large crowd. Museum of North Texas History, on Indiana Avenue, archives the area's history.

The 57-acre bedroom community of West Floral Heights Historic District was platted in 1909 as the first suburb outside downtown Wichita Falls. Joseph Kemp, who built Wichita Falls alongside his brother-in-law Frank Kell, built his family home here and a separate residence for his daughter, which still stands. A neighborhood grew around these homes, which he named after his wife, Flora. The neighborhood will soon celebrate 20 years as a historic district. In celebration, it's currently installing placards bestowed by the city on the facades of neighborhood homes. Wichita Falls' economic height was during the oil boom in North Texas at the turn of the century when most of the homes in Floral Heights were built. Today, the economy is partially bolstered by Sheppard Air Force Base – less than 7 miles north of the neighborhood. "Floral Heights is centrally located with easy access to downtown, just west of downtown," says local Tim Lockhart of Keller Williams Lonestar DFW, who retired from the Air Force in 2013 and became a Realtor that same year. Locals also live within 3 miles of major shopping chains between Kemp and Kell Boulevards, including Target. Most homes here are over 100 years old, and each Street offers a medley of architectural styles. "It's very diverse. You've got some big mansions next to some 1,000 square foot Craftsman houses," says Lockhart. Stately Neo-Classical homes built at the height of Wichita Falls oil boom echo the grandeur of the roaring 20s. Homebuyers will also find Colonial Revivals, bungalows, Tudor Revivals, Prairie-styles, Craftsman, and American Foursquares with a few '70s to '80s-era ranch styles. Mature trees spring from modest yards capped by sidewalks. Backyards are delineated by alleyways where weeds and ivy grow freely around fences. Homes come with attached, detached and side-entry garages, though some small bungalows don't have car storage. Local Realtor Debbie Dobbins, who runs Love to the Moon Inc and a YouTube channel devoted to Wichita Falls, says home values boil down to age, condition, and square footage. "In the historic district, you're not generally going to find houses over $110 per square foot." Though prices begin around $75,000 for a fixer-upper, they steadily rise to around $350,000 for something over 3,500 square feet. Some homes have been gutted and completely rebuilt or pristinely restored to their original condition, while others have gone into disrepair. Dobbins says residents must seek permission from the historic society in Wichita Falls before making structural changes to the front of their homes. "They are not concerned with what you are doing in the backyard; they just want to make sure the facade doesn't change." There are several parks within a mile or less of homes, but they are either tiny or underdeveloped. Morningside and Indian Heights Parks are grassy fields. Grant Street Park has a small playground and basketball area. Wichita Falls' three largest parks are within 5 miles. At 170 acres, Lucy Park is built at a bend in the Wichita River, encompassing winding nature trails and other recreational opportunities. Athletes head here for the sand volleyball court and 18-hole disc golf course. The swimming pool at the park is open all week with an admission fee of $2 for anyone 17 years or younger and $3 for anyone 18 or older. Lucy Park is also known for its wooden suspension bridge, which is over 60 years old and leads toward artificial falls built in the '80s. Lake Wichita Park's 234 acres connect to Lucy Park via a concrete trail. The park offers lighted baseball, softball and football fields and another 18-hole disc golf course. It also has a model airplane landing strip and an off-leash dog park. At over 250 acres, Weeks Park houses the city's 18-hole golf course site, a paved 3-mile trail, nine lighted tennis courts and a fishing pond. Don Jose Mexican Restaurant on 10th Street is the closest place to grab a bite to eat, and serves tacos, burritos, fajitas and seafood. Farther, Willie's Place has a no-frills country vibe, and the burgers are made by Willie himself – a Wichita Falls local. Kemp Boulevard runs parallel to the neighborhood and leads locals to more area shopping and dining. Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store is directly south for a sweet treat on a waffle cone. The store also sells fresh produce and pantry staples. Walmart Supercenter, Aldi, Sam’s Club and more national chains from Target to At Home are within 3 miles. For a century, a congregation gathered at Floral Heights United Methodist Church, but it’s closing its doors due to declining attendance and donation rates. Locals look forward to The Annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run in November. The admission fee is two cans of food, which are donated to a homeless shelter 2 miles east. During Christmas and Halloween, homes are decorated with string lights, pumpkins and fall garlands and the community votes for their favorite one. “A lot of families go to the Floral Heights district for Halloween, for doing trunk or treating,” says Lockhart. Downtown Wichita Falls has its own events less than 2 miles east, including its annual art walk, the first Thursday of the month from April to October. The event runs until 9 pm and local businesses stay open late as live music, food trucks and local vendors draw in a friendly crowd. Students start at Crockett Elementary, earning a B rating on Niche, and filter into Barwise Middle School from there, ranked B-minus. Both are within the Wichita Falls Independent School District, which recently closed its oldest facility in 2023, the 100-year-old Wichita High School, in favor of opening newer ones. “There are only two high schools now starting this year,” says Dobbins. “This particular neighborhood will go to Wichita Falls Memorial High School.” Memorial High School integrates online learning into its curriculum. It also brings a large auditorium and breakout rooms for more collaborative in-person learning. Midwestern State University is less than 3 miles south with an over 90% acceptance rate. Falls Ride has a bus route on Kemp Boulevard, taking locals to regional spots, including downtown. U.S. Route 277 is less than a mile north and travels northward to intersects with the Texas 11 Loop. U.S. Route 82 is less than a mile south. United Regional Healthcare System is less than 2 miles in the same direction when care is needed. Wichita Falls Regional Airport is at Sheppard Air Force Base and used by military professionals and civilians. It offers flights through American Airlines that travel to Dallas Fort Worth International daily. Thunderstorms bring hail and mini tornadoes. There have only been 3 major tornadoes in this city's history – one in 1958, '64 and '79. Droughts are cyclical, sometimes leading to wildfires and house and business fires. The Wichita Falls Fire Department saw an uptick in calls in 2023 and applied for a federal grant to grow its team.

A bedroom community in Wichita Falls that's close to almost every city highlight.

Midwestern Farm is a bedroom community of Wichita Falls just beside Lake Wichita and its surrounding recreation. "There's only one dog park in all of Wichita Falls, right there in Lake Wichita Park," says Realtor Debbie Dobbins of Love to the Moon Inc, LLC, who runs a YouTube channel devoted to Wichita Falls and has sold homes here for 30 years. "And there's just so many fun trails that go over and beyond the lake there." Locals live just below the Southwest Parkway, which connects them to entertainment, retail and restaurants in the wider Wichita Falls area. They're also nestled along the southern edge of the city, where weather is less severe than in suburbs closer to the Oklahoma border. It's around 2 miles to Midwestern State University from here, 6 miles to the historic downtown area and 11 miles to Sheppard Air Force Base — a significant area employer. Neighborhood streets are winding, etched by wavy patchwork and connected by sidewalks shadowed by trees. Ranch styles with attached garages from the '70s and '80s are common here — a stark juxtaposition from the over-100-year-old homes closer to downtown. A few residences on a quarter to nearly half an acre offer ample backyard space. Pricing is just a touch higher in this suburb than the city's average, according to local Realtor Tim Lockhart of Keller Williams Lonestar DFW, who retired from the Air Force in 2013 and has sold homes ever since. "The average price per square foot is 136 compared to 131 for the overall city." A fixer-upper around 1,600 square feet might begin around $190,000, and prices rise steadily to around $300,000 for a property over 2,400 square feet. "A lot of them have been fixed up, and just as many have not," Dobbins says. "Sometimes they will have pink cloth blinds or popcorn ceilings." There are no lakefront homes despite Midwestern Farms being near a lake spanning over 2,000 acres. Water levels lower significantly during droughts, which are common during the summer, but recover after heavy rain. Dobbins adds that flooding isn't an issue here: "There is a spillover built into the lake, so there is no concern." Residents have become accustomed to storms bringing hail and mini tornadoes, and the area is prone to wildfires. Students start at Ben Milam Elementary before heading to McNiel Junior High School — both earn B ratings on Niche. The next step is Wichita Falls Legacy High School, one of two new high schools that opened in Wichita Falls in 2024. Legacy High integrates online courses into its curriculum to prepare students for a hybrid world. The schools break out rooms and shared auditorium also foster more collaborative in-person learning. Curious Minds is an alternative school just outside the neighborhood on K-Mart Drive. Serving grades 3 through 8, the school fosters independent thinking by allowing students to lead their own educational journey and dive into what generally inspires them. Midwestern State University is just over 2 miles northeast for a convenient college track with a 90% acceptance rating.  Lockhart says everywhere in Wichita is a relatively short drive away. “Everything is between 5 to 20 minutes away from you no matter where you are.” There is an ER Now 24/7 Emergency Room just south, right off the Southwest Parkway. That same route leads locals to Kell West Regional Hospital in less than 4 miles. Wichita Falls Regional Airport is around 11 miles north, following Interstate 44. The airport is located at Sheppard Air Force Base. Serving both military professionals and civilians, it offers flights through American Airlines that travel to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport daily.  Lake Wichita Park spans over 230 acres, offering lighted baseball, softball and football fields and an 18-hole disc golf course. Its dog park offers off-leash play areas for small and large dogs, obstacle courses and toys from balls to ropes. The boardwalk leading out to the water was built in 2020 as a part of an ongoing revitalization project. "Another thing at Lake Wichita Park, and locals are the only ones that know about it, is called the hill. It's not much, but people have little contests where they try to ride their bikes up it and their motorcycles and stuff. It's a fun little spot, and it's been there forever," says Dobbins. Locals get to the park by bike or on foot at a connection point to its trail system on Rhea Road. The trail loops around the lake and travels north to Lucy Park, another recreational hub with sports courts and a public swimming pool. Kiwanis Park is just over a mile north and famous for its prairie dog enclosure, offering an up-close look at the playful creatures. Weeks Park's over 250 acres are around 2 miles east and houses Wichita Falls' 18-hole municipal golf course. Though primarily a bedroom community, the Southwest Parkway connects locals to a slew of national, regional and local chains. Lockhart says there are two commercial areas Wichita Falls' residents flock to: "Downtown, which has antique stores and craft stores. And then there is another zone with big box stores: the Walmart Supercenter, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, all that stuff." These national retailers are within 1 to 2 miles of the neighborhood, between Kemp and Kell Boulevards. Downtown is a bit further, at just over 6 miles northeast. Chain restaurants from Chick-fil-A to McDonald's surround the parkway. Locals get their frappe and specialty latte fixes at Frank & Joe's Coffee House, a Wichita Falls chain on the highway. Parkway Grill is also there for happy hour and various southern and Mexican-inspired dishes. McBride's Steakhouse, a favorite local spot according to Dobbins, serves sirloins in a country atmosphere just over a mile away. On Sundays, a congregation gathers at Faith Baptist Church, located north off the Southwest Parkway. Memorial Stadium is around 3 miles east and has been the home ground for all Wichita Falls Independent School District football games for the past 50 years. Residents also head there to catch Midwestern State football games. Many events happen downtown, including the annual art walk showcasing local vendors while bringing in food trucks and live music on the first Thursday of the month from April to October. Come August, crows cheer on over 13,000 cyclists for Hotter'N Hell Hundred.