Picture the year 1903. Two surveyors J O Schulze and Otis Brown arrived in what is now Irving. They envisioned a town. They named it Irving. It’s a tribute to Netta Barcus Brown’s favorite author Washington Irving. Schulze a member of the Washington Irving Literary Society also liked the name.
Irving’s story began much earlier though. Settlements like Sowers Kit Shady Grove and Bear Creek existed long before. By the late 1800s churches cotton gins blacksmith shops and general stores dotted the landscape. Life was simple yet vibrant.
The town officially incorporated on April 14 1914. Otis Brown became its first mayor. Early growth was slow only 357 people lived here in 1925. The Irving district’s public school system started in 1909 with the Kit and Lively schools.
Things changed dramatically in the 1930s. Population exploded. Manufacturing plants appeared alongside transportation retail and financial businesses. The University of Dallas opened its doors in 1956. Texas Stadium home of the Dallas Cowboys was completed in 1971. The Chateau Theater another Irving landmark opened in 1964.
Tragedy struck in 1985. Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crashed in Irving. This event remains a somber part of the city’s history. The city’s population continued to grow. In 1990 it was 155037. By 2016 an estimated 236607 people called Irving home.
Irving’s story isn’t just about numbers and dates. It’s about people. The “Texas Seven” robbed an Oshman’s Sporting Goods store in 2000. Four years later a high school student Ahmed Mohamed was involved in a hoax bomb incident. This incident sparked debate about racial profiling and Islamophobia.
The city continues to evolve. In 2019 the Las Colinas entertainment district opened. It boasts the Westin Irving Convention Center Hotel. The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas and the Toyota Music Factory are also part of this exciting development.
The story of Irving is a tapestry woven from triumphs and setbacks. It’s a testament to resilience growth and community. It’s a story that continues to unfold. As you explore Irving you’ll discover more of its fascinating narrative.