Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week, compiled from archives of Independent Newsmedia, Newspapers.com and the city of Surprise historical records:

1940

Larry Dysart is master of ceremonies at the Dysart School Halloween Festival. Carnival games and a refreshment stand are part of the event.

1962

The town buys four acres on Santa Fe Drive for a new municipal building for $5,000.

1990

Mayor Roy Villanueva and a councilman kept their seats, but three others were ousted in a recall election. Additionally, Joan Shafer became the first woman on the council in the city’s history. Almost 900 of the city’s 2,400 registered voters cast a vote.

1998

Construction begins on a new recreation center in the Original Town Site. The Roy Villanueva Recreation Center is named after the longtime city councilman, who has served more than 20 years. It’s expected to be ready by February 1999.

2000

Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers sign letters of intent to leave their spring training homes in Florida and move into the new Surprise Stadium, which is expected to be completed by January 2002.

2005

Surprise hosts regional transportation forum to discuss the widening and extension of Loop 303, a new Park and Ride facility, a possible local bus line, a regional connector to Wickenburg and Dial-a-Ride service.