The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Prior to 20th century 1707 - Settlement founded by Francisco Munoz. 1709 - "San Francisco de Cuellar" community founded by Antonio de Deza y Ulloa. 1718 - Settlement named "San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua." 1717 - Church of Saint Francis of Assisi construction begins. 1721 - Royal House built. 1731 - Santa Rita Church built. 1763 - Population: nearly 5000. 1789 - Church of San Francisco building completed. 1791 - Population: 4,077. 1811 - Execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla early in the Mexican War of Independence. 1821 - Population: 4,441. 1826 Church of Saint Francis of Assisi construction completed. Guadalupe Church built. 1835 - Literary and Scientific Institute of Chihuahua founded. 1847 February 28: Battle of the Sacramento River occurs near town. March: Town taken by United States forces under command of Alexander William Doniphan and Sterling Price. 1864 - Benito Juárez makes the town temporary capital of Mexico. 1882 - Paso del Norte-Chihuahua City railroad begins operating. 1891 Government Palace of Chihuahua built. Catholic Diocese of Chihuahua established. 1895 - Population: 18,279. 1900 - Population: 30,405. 20th century 1902 - El Correo de Chihuahua newspaper begins publication. 1905 - American Smelting and Refining Company facility built (approximate date). 1907 City Hall of Chihuahua built. Francisco Villa Museum built. 1908 - March 1: Banco Minero robbed. 1910 Museo Casa Chihuahua (known as the Federal Palace) rebuilding completed. Quinta Gameros mansion built. 1913 - Headquarters of Pancho Villa established in city. 1921 - Antonio Guizar y Valencia becomes Catholic bishop of Chihuahua. 1926 - Escuela Benito Juárez (school) active. 1927 - El Heraldo newspaper begins publication. 1947 - El Mexicano newspaper begins publication. 1948 - Chihuahua Institute of Technology established. 1949 - Del Real Hotel built. 1954 - University of Chihuahua established. 1961 - Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (tourist railway) opened 1969 - Adalberto Almeida y Merino becomes Catholic archbishop of Chihuahua. 1972 - Museo Casa Juárez established. 1975 - Legislature building constructed. 1981 - Telmex Tower built. 1986 - July: Local election. 1990 - Catholic Pope John Paul II visits city. 1997 - Archivo Histórico del Instituto Chihuahuense de la Cultura established. 1998 - Gate to Chihuahua sculpture installed. 2000 - Punto Alto built. 21st century 2001 - Tribunales Federales building constructed. 2002 - Alejandro Cano Ricaud becomes municipal president. 2003 - Angel of