Garland

The history of Garland is inextricably linked to the era of American railroad construction and is a classic example of how transport routes shaped new settlements. The city emerged as a compromise resulting from a fierce rivalry between two neighboring communities in the late 19th century.

Founding and Early Years

In the second half of the 1880s, two railroad lines—the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe and the Dallas and Greenville—laid tracks that bypassed the old settlement of Duck Creek. As a result, two new competing towns sprang up near the railroads: Embree and a new Duck Creek. The rivalry intensified after a fire in the old Duck Creek and disputes over the location of the post office.

The conflict was resolved in 1887 thanks to the intervention of Congressman Joseph Abbott. He proposed founding a new town between the two feuding settlements. This city, officially incorporated in 1891, was named Garland in honor of Augustus Hill Garland, the serving U.S. Attorney General at the time.

Key Factors of Development

The primary factor in Garland's establishment was its strategic location at the intersection of two major railroad lines, which provided it with commercial and logistical advantages. The city is located in a region of fertile blackland prairies, which fostered the development of agriculture as the foundation of its early economy. Its proximity to the growing city of Dallas also played a significant role in its subsequent growth.

Economy and Society

By 1890, Garland's population was 478. The city already featured four churches, several mills, three cotton gins, and hotels. The economy was predominantly agrarian, with an emphasis on growing and processing cotton. In 1899, a major fire destroyed much of the business district, after which the city was rebuilt around a central square, which still defines the layout of its historical section today.

Key Dates in Garland's History

From a railroad hub to a thriving industrial and cultural center—the history of Garland reflects the key stages of development in the American Southwest. Below is a chronology of the most important events that shaped the modern city.

• 1887 — As a compromise between two competing settlements, Duck Creek and Embree, a post office is created and named Garland in honor of U.S. Attorney General Augustus Hill Garland.
• 1891 — The city of Garland is officially incorporated with a population of approximately 500 people.
• 1899 — A devastating fire destroys much of the city's business district, leading to its subsequent reconstruction around the central square.
• 1923 — The municipal utility company Garland Power & Light is founded, beginning to provide electricity to the city's residents.
• 1927 — A powerful F4 category tornado strikes the city, claiming 15 lives and causing significant destruction.
• 1938 — The Byer-Rolnick hat factory, manufacturer of the famous Resistol hats, moves to Garland, marking a major step in the city's industrialization.
• 1940s — During the 1940s, aircraft manufacturing plants open in and around the city, accelerating the transition from an agrarian to an industrial economy.
• After 1945 — Kraft Foods acquires one of the former aircraft plants, strengthening the city's industrial sector following the post-war period.
• 1950 — The city's population exceeds 10,000 amidst the post-war suburban construction boom in the U.S.
• 1982 — The Garland Performing Arts Center (now the Granville Arts Center) opens, becoming home to the symphony orchestra and theater troupes.
• 2002 — The first DART light rail station opens in the city center, significantly improving transportation links to Dallas and other parts of the metroplex.
• 2005 — The major open-air shopping complex Firewheel Town Center opens, becoming a popular destination for shopping and leisure.
• 2013 — The Texas Legislature officially designates Garland as the "Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas" in recognition of its long history of hat manufacturing.

Major Development Milestones

The history of Garland is a journey from a small railroad settlement to one of the largest industrial and cultural hubs in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The key stages of this transformation reflect the dynamic development of the entire region.

• Founding of the City (1891) — Emerging as a compromise between two competing settlements near the railroad, Garland gained a strategic advantage as a transportation hub from the very beginning. This laid the foundation for its future economic growth.
• Establishing an Independent Power System (1923) — The founding of the municipal utility company Garland Power & Light was a decisive step toward industrialization. By providing the city with a reliable source of electricity, it attracted new industries and contributed to population growth.
• Transition to an Industrial Economy (1930s – 1940s) — The arrival of major manufacturers, such as the Byer-Rolnick hat factory (Resistol brand), and the opening of aircraft plants during the 1940s, permanently shifted the focus from agriculture to industry. The city became an important manufacturing center.
• Post-War Boom (1950s) — The city's population grew sharply, exceeding 10,000 people. This period was marked by active suburban development, transforming Garland from a small town into a large and populous suburb of Dallas.
• Establishing a Cultural Center (1982) — The opening of the Performing Arts Center (now the Granville Arts Center) was a major cultural milestone. Garland became the first Dallas suburb with its own multi-purpose arts center, housing a symphony orchestra and theater troupes.
• Integration into the Metro Transportation Network (2002) — The arrival of the DART light rail station in the city center significantly improved transportation accessibility and strengthened ties with Dallas. This contributed to further urbanization and the development of business activity.
• Development of Modern Retail (2005) — The opening of the massive Firewheel Town Center open-air shopping complex created a new destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, changing the economic and social landscape of the city's northern section.

Garland's architectural landscape is a visual history of the American suburb, which over a century has transitioned from utilitarian railroad-side developments to modern multi-functional complexes. Its urban development reflects the key economic and cultural eras of Texas.

The Railroad Era (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

Garland's early architecture was pragmatic and typical of railroad towns of that time. After the fire of 1899, the business center was rebuilt around a classic town square, which remains the heart of the historic district today. Buildings from this period were designed in the style of simplified Victorian commercial architecture—typically two-story brick structures with decorative cornices and large storefronts on the ground floors.

• Heritage Crossing Historic District: This complex is the city's center for historical heritage. A key landmark here is the 1901 Santa Fe Depot, which now houses the Landmark Museum. This building is a classic example of utilitarian yet recognizable railroad architecture from the early 20th century.

The Era of Art Deco and Industrialization (1930s – 1940s)

With industrial growth in the pre-war years, buildings in more modern styles began to appear in Garland. The most striking example of this period is Streamline Moderne, a later and more understated form of Art Deco characterized by smooth lines, horizontal orientation, and a lack of excessive ornamentation.

• Plaza Theatre: Built in 1941, this cinema is a jewel of the historic downtown. Its facade, with its streamlined forms and characteristic marquee, is a beautiful example of Streamline Moderne, reflecting the era's optimism and faith in technological progress.

Post-War Boom and Mid-Century Modernism (1950s – 1970s)

This period marked a time of rapid growth for Garland as a suburb of Dallas. The architecture of this era completely transformed the city. The dominant style in residential construction was Mid-Century Modern, specifically its American interpretation—the ranch-style house. Thousands of these single-story, elongated homes with low roofs and attached garages shaped the look of much of the city.

Modern and Postmodern Architecture (From the 1980s)

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Garland's architecture followed national trends, focusing on the creation of large public and commercial spaces. Styles became more eclectic and functional.

• Granville Arts Center (1982): This performing arts center is an example of late modernism. The functional building with simple geometric shapes was designed to meet the cultural needs of a growing city.
• Firewheel Town Center (2005): This large open-air shopping complex is an example of modern postmodern commercial architecture, known as a "lifestyle center." It mimics a small town's main street, creating a pedestrian environment for shopping and leisure that contrasts with the classic enclosed malls of the 20th century.

Notable Figures Associated with Garland

Throughout its history, Garland has been home to or a significant milestone for many talented individuals who have left their mark on culture, sports, and history. From politicians to stars of the stage and screen, here are some of the most famous figures whose names are linked to this Texas city.

Historical Figures and Politicians

• Augustus Hill Garland — a lawyer and politician. Although he never lived in the city, his historical significance is immense. In 1887, while serving as the U.S. Attorney General, a new post office was named in his honor, followed by the city itself, founded in 1891.

Arts and Culture

• LeAnn Rimes — singer, songwriter, and actress. Moving to Garland at age six, she began her musical career here, performing at local venues including the Garland Opry. At 14, she became the youngest Grammy Award winner, which brought her worldwide fame.
• Jennifer Love Hewitt — actress, producer, and singer. Her family moved to Garland when she was a child, and she spent her early years here before heading to Hollywood to become the star of films like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and popular television series.
• Caleb Landry Jones — actor and musician. A Garland native, he became famous for his vivid and diverse roles in independent and Hollywood films, including "Get Out" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." In 2021, he won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Mitchel Musso — actor and singer. Born in Garland, Musso rose to fame through roles in popular Disney Channel projects, such as the series "Hannah Montana" (as Oliver Oken) and the animated series "Phineas and Ferb," where he voiced Jeremy.
• Armen Dzhigarkhanyan — an outstanding Soviet, Armenian, and Russian stage and film actor. One of the most-filmed actors in history and a People's Artist of the USSR. A lesser-known fact of his biography is that for many years, until 2015, he spent several months each year at his home in Garland.

Sports Stars

• Bobby Boyd — American football player. Raised in Garland and a graduate of a local high school, Boyd became an NFL star, playing as a cornerback for the Baltimore Colts in the 1960s. He was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and remains one of the league's all-time leaders in interceptions.
• Mookie Blaylock — professional basketball player. A Garland native and graduate of Garland High School, Blaylock played 13 seasons in the NBA. As a point guard, he was known for his exceptional defensive play, twice leading the league in steals, and was an NBA All-Star in 1994.