1900s
1901
Mansfield Academy is opened.
President McKinley is assassinated. Theodore Roosevelt becomes President of the United States of America.
1905
Joseph Edwards installs the first telephone lines in town. The switchboard was located in the McKnight buildling.
1910
On October 11, the city passes an ordinance to prevent autos from exceeding 10 miles per hour and also prevent persons from riding their bicycles on the sidewalks.
1914
Mansfield is a bustling small town, with buildings designed in the current most popular architectural style. Many small towns in Texas, with surviving historical downtowns, look very similar in style.
1917
The United States of America enters into World War I in April.
Mr. Milton Farr builds the first electric light plant and installs the first electric lights on Water Street (future Main Street). He rents a building in downtown and opens the Farr Best Theater. The theater features Saturday afternoon kiddy matinees, a movie on Friday night and a matinee and night movie on Saturdays.
1922
A terrible flood hits Mansfield and surrounding cities, leaves 13 dead and 35 missing in the area. In Mansfield, flood waters pushes Walnut Creek totally out of its banks. It destroys bridges, tracks and many rail cars, but the railroad bridge by North Street is left intact. (Image from Museum collection.)
1924
The cornerstone is laid for the new Mansfield Independent School District (MISD) school in September. When completed, the school houses white students grades 1-11 until 1953, when a new elementary school is built. The building was then occupied by grades 9 through 11. (Image from Museum collection.)
Famous singer Ella Mae Morse born on September 12.
Texas elected its first woman governor, Miriam "Ma" Ferguson.
1926
Mr. Farr installs Mansfield's first sewer system, and natural gas was supplied to business and residential area of town.
1940
In May, construction begins on The Rock Gym, as W.P.A. project Number 40541. It is budgeted for $18,238, including a gym and two class rooms for Mansfield High School. (Image from Museum collection.)
State Highway 34 was changed to Highway 287.
December 7, 1941
Japan attacks the American naval and air bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The next day, America declares war on Japan and so enters World War II.
1949
Dial telephones are introduced. (Stock image.)
1953
Railroad depot closes. Mr. W. E. Marshall, the second and last depot agent, locks the doors for the last time. (Image from Museum collection.)
1956
The city purchases its first police vehicle, a 1956 Chevrolet 4-door sedan, for $1,542. A few months later, the police radio is installed. Dispatching was done out of the Chief's home, by his wife.
The Mansfield Desegregation Incident leads to the passage of Texas desegregation laws in 1957.
A page from a local news broadcast carries the story of the new Mansfield City Hall and fire station. This City Hall is built on the site of the original Man and Feild feed mill (corner of Broad Street and Main Street, now a restaurant).
1958
Kow Bell arena is established. (Aerial view, circa 1958, from Museum archives.)
On September 8, the City Council votes to change the name of Water Street to Main Street. (Stock image.)
1968
Two Mansfield firefighters lose their lives fighting the fire at the Red Ball gas station in Kennedale. Photo shows the remains of the 10,000 gallon gas storage tank that exploded.