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:

1951

Luke Air Force Base opens on the site of the since closed Luke Field as the Korean War begins.

1954

Waddell Ranch Co. is reporting a good year for cotton with three bales an acre this season. That’s above the national average of a half-bale per acre and the state average of just under two bales per acre.

1970

Surprise’s population estimated at 2,473.

1984

Plans for the Bell Road Improvement District include extending Bell west past Grand Avenue. Surprise has grown to 14 square miles, but most of the 4,000 residents still live in the Original Town Site.

1990

City Manager Nick Bacon hires future Surprise City Clerk Sherry Aguilar as a receptionist.

1999

Surprise is the fastest growing city in Arizona as population estimates show the city gained 4,555 in 1998. It’s 32% increase was better than Goodyear (17%) and Gilbert (15%).

2000

Surprise hires Mark Coronado as new Parks and Recreation director. He helps bring spring training baseball to Surprise.

2001

When it’s completed in 2002, Surprise Stadium is likely to receive a team in the Arizona Fall League, which is made up of each team’s top prospects. The stadium will also host the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers for spring training.
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City Council candidate Bob Vukanovich is arrested and cited for public nuisance, building maintenance for hazardous structures and a zoning violation for residential use in an industrial zone for his Surprise Swap Meet business. Fire officials force the Swap Mart to close because of safety violations despite dozens of protestors who complained to the City Council.

2010

Surprise opens new Park and Ride near Bell Road and Grand Avenue.

2019

David Sanders is selected to replace Skip Hall on the City Council in District 5, which serves the city center portion of Surprise. Hall became mayor after the resignation of Sharon Wolcott.