History of Weatherford, Oklahoma in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 13, 2025

Weatherford, Oklahoma, located in Custer County, experienced an 11.5% population increase between 2010 and 2020, reaching 12,076 residents. The historic Route 66 runs through the city's Main Street. Weatherford is home to the Stafford Air & Space Museum, which commemorates astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, adding to the city's attractions.

1900: 1900 Town Population

By 1900, Weatherford's population reached 1,017 residents.

1901: Southwestern Oklahoma State College Founded

In 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State College was founded and was originally known as Southwestern State Teachers College.

1926: U.S. Route 66 Designation

In 1926, State Highway 3 was redesignated as U.S. Route 66, which passed through Weatherford along Main Street.

1931: Museum Exhibit: 1931 Model A Ford

The Oklahoma Heartland of America Museum contains a 1931 Model A Ford sports coupe as part of its exhibits.

1932: Route 66 Paved Across Western Oklahoma

By 1932, U.S. Route 66 was completely paved across Western Oklahoma.

1960: I-40 Completed East and West of Weatherford

In 1960, Interstate 40 (I-40) was completed east and west of Weatherford, generally paralleling the old U.S. Route 66 alignment.

1970: I-40 Bypass Completion

In July 1970, the I-40 bypass skirting Weatherford to the south was completed.

2007: Oklahoma Heartland of America Museum Opens

In 2007, the Oklahoma Heartland of America Museum, a 12,000 square foot building containing many artifacts from the late 1800s through the 1950s, opened.

2010: 2010 Census

The 2010 census recorded Weatherford's population at 10,833.

2015: 2015 Census Data

According to the 2015 census, Weatherford had a population of 12,126 people residing in 3,991 households, with a population density of 1,699.3 inhabitants per square mile.

2015: SWOSU Student Population in 2015

By 2015, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) had grown to have more than 4,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

2016: SWOSU Tier Ranking in 2016

In 2016, U.S. News & World Report Education Rankings placed Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Tier 2 of the "Regional Universities (West)" category.