Midwest City was founded by W.P. Atkinson in 1941 when he heard speculation that an air field was going to be built in the area. Atkinson, along with others, initially planned Midwest City as a one-square-mile development. The air field, when built, was called the "Midwest Air Depot" and was later renamed in honor of Major General Clarence L. Tinker of Pawhuska, Okla. General Tinker lost his life while leading a flight of LB-30 "Liberators" on a long-range strike against Japanese forces on Wake Island during the early months of World War II. The economy of Midwest City prospered and continued to surge until the early 1980's when the oil bust of 1983 occurred. The bust was a severe economic blow to not only the greater OKC metro area, but to also the twin cities of Midwest City and Del City. From 1983, Midwest City's nominal price for real estate stagnated for over a decade. In many ways, the city remains relatively unchanged over the last twenty years. Air Depot Blvd spanning from Tinker Air Force Base to Heritage Park Mall still serves as the major commercial district of the city. Of course, many businesses have come and gone, but there are a few that have stood the test of time. Andy's Akropolis, a Greek restaurant started by Larry Hicks, has served many thousands of hungry airmen through the last thirty years. The restaurant, like its city, remains almost the same as it was when it first opened its doors in the 1970's. About.com notes that many state and national organizations find Midwest City to be an ideal site for conferences and special events because of the location and the amenities, although a specific list of those organizations remains lacking. However, Rose State College does have a new performing Arts Theater with an outdoor amphitheater in Rose State College's Communications Center. The area also features the Oklahoma Welcome Center, Senior Center, Water Park, and nature and recreational trails. Midwest City's monolythic economic base of Federal tax dollars via Tinker Air Force Base has helped the city weather the drastic blows to the State's mainstay oil and agricultural economy. Tinker is a major area employer. The General Motors CorporationGeneral Motors Oklahoma City Assembly plant was another major employer from its opening in 1979 until its closure in February 2006. GM closed the plant as part as a cost-savings measure. Over the past few years, there has been a large amount of development in Midwest City along I-40. The Reed Center, a 60,000 square foot convention center, was built in 2003. Because of this, several hotels have been built in the area, including a $15 milllion Sheraton hotel that is attached to the convention center. Also, many big box stores, such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, and Kohl's have been built along I-40. Some of these stores are a part of the new Town Center Plaza development along SE 29th Street facing I-40, which replaced the aging, largely deserted Atkinson Plaza shopping center as well as several other developments, most of which are situated on the city's west edge. Throughout the year, Midwest City is host to many unique special events such as: Star Spangle Salute in July, Global Oklahoma - A Festival of Cultures in October, and Holiday Lights Spectacular in November and December. Midwest City was formerly a Certified City and has successfully transitioned to a Century Community. 'In 2006 Midwest City obtained the prestigous ISO Class 1 from the Insurance Services Office'. http://www.isomitigation.com/ppc/0000/ppc0001.html Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwest_City%2C_Oklahoma