History of Garland

The area that eventually became the city of Garland was originally just one portion of the larger Peters Colony. Peters Colony was established to create a residential area for families around the big city of Dallas. In 1887, Garland was established with the local post office to end the town rivalry between the communities of Embree and Duck Creek; the city was named for President Grover Cleveland’s attorney general, Augustus H. Garland. The plan was successful. The communities of Embree and Duck Creek combined to become one city. The new city, Garland, was incorporated in 1891.

A fire destroyed 28 of the 30 businesses consituting Garland’s commercial properties in 1899. Garland decided to rebuild its new business district surrounding the town square and the first volunteer fire department was formed. In 1915, four brand new electric lights were erected around the town square. At that time, it became of only a handful of towns that utilized this new form of energy.

After a fire decimated Garland´s business district for the third time in 16 years, the need for a municipal water and sewer system was evident. In 1920, Garland´s first water and sewer systems were funded with a bond issuance of $100,000. Due to high power rates being charged to the city, Garland leaders began to consider starting their own electric system. A group of local businessmen put money together to fund a new generator for the town. A majority of the city’s townsfolk agreed to allow the installation of electricity in their homes. On April Fool’s Day in 1923, the city officially entered into the utility business of water and electricity. The system was an instant success. During the early 1950s, the area suffered a devastating drought. The best possible solutions to the city’s need for water appeared to create a dam on nearby Lake Lavon and set up a water district. A dozen cities in the area, including Garland, banded together to create the North Texas Municipal Water District.

In the late 1930s, industry began moving into the Garland area and, during WW II, the Garland area played host to many aircraft plants. Following World War II, the suburban population boom that the nation experienced also reached Garland. By 1960, the population had more than tripled from 1950, by 1970 it had more than doubled again and, by 1980, the population exceeded the 100,000 mark. During the next two decades, the city would nearly double again.

Several episodes of the television series Walker Texas Ranger and the current series Prison Break have been filmed in Garland. It is also the inspiration for the series King of the Hill.

Education in Garland

The public education of Garland is provided by four school districts. Garland Independent School District is the second largest district in Dallas County and one of the largest districts in Texas. Garland ISD does not have school zoning, so Garland residents may apply to any school within the district. Garland´s  educators are fortunate to have excellent parental involvement in the schools and students that are involved with the community. Garland students raised over $84,000.00 for the March of Dimes campaign and were ranked #10 nationwide for the donation. Each year, the Garland Independent School District supports the March of Dimes with fundraisers that are student generated. Some outlying portions of the city extend into other districts, including Dallas Independent School District, Richardson Independent School District and the Mesquite Independent School District.

Fun Things to See and Do in Addison

The City of Garland is very proud of its award-winning Parks Department, which provides a wide variety of programs and facilities. The park system comprises over 2,500 acres total of parks and features such amenities as recreation centers, senior citizen centers, swimming pools, a tennis center, playgrounds, athletic fields, a marina, picnic pavilions, miles of hiking and biking trails and guided tours of the nature available at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve.

Bordering Lake Ray Hubbard, Garland real estate is able to offer all of the amenities of lakeside living to its residents. Harbor Point, the gateway to the Garland portion of the lake, is located on Interstate 30. Garland and the nearby communities of Rowlett and Sachse offer several golfing options, from municipal owned to private clubs.

Garland offers excellent shopping opportunities. Two of these noteworthy shopping places are Historic Downtown Garland and Firewheel Town Center. Firewheel is a unique shopping experience with stores that were patterned after Main Street of yesteryear, including a park, a koi pond and a creek. Instead of the modern day mall madness, you will enjoy an atmosphere of “old-fashion hometown”.  The Patty Granville Arts Center is central in the artistic community of Garland real estate.

Most artistic and cultural events are held at the Patty Granville Arts Center. The Arts Complex provides two elegant proscenium theatres and the Plaza Theatre. The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center is a 6,500 square foot ballroom. The ballroom is encased in glass on two sides and opens onto a beautiful outdoor courtyard.

Due to Garland’s proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, Garland residents have easy access to all that the big city has to offer in entertainment on every level.

Garland Demographics
Population: 222,013
Median Household Income: $51,255
Median Home Value: $117,700

Garland Utilities Information

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