Garland, Texas

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Garland is a city in Dallas County, Texas, (USA). It is a northeastern suburb of Dallas and is a major part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 215,768, making it the tenth-most populous city in Texas and the eighty-sixth most populous city in the United States.

Garland is somewhat famous for being one of the inspirations for former Garland resident Mike Judge's television show, King of the Hill, which is set in "Arlen, Texas" (which sounds similar to Garland).


The Historic Downtown Garland Square has plans for renovations.
The Historic Downtown Garland Square has plans for renovations.

Contents

[edit] History

Settlers began arriving in the Peters colony area around 1850 but a community wasn't created until 1874. Two communities actually sprung up in the area, "Embree," named for the physician K. H. Embree, and "Duck Creek," named for the local creek of the same name. A rivalry between the two towns ensued as the area began to grow around the Santa Fe Railroad depot. Eventually, to settle a dispute over which town should have the local post office, Dallas County Judge Thomas A. Nash asked visiting Congressman, Joe Abbott to move the post office between the two towns and in 1887, that's exactly what happened. The new location was named "Garland" after then Attorney General Augustus Hill Garland. Both Embree and Duck Creek were dissolved and they combined to form the city of Garland. In 1891, the new city was incorporated. By 1904, the town had a population of 819 people.

In 1920, local businessmen put money together to fund a new generator for the town sold by Fairbanks-Morse. Out of this was formed Garland Power & Light, the municipal electric provider that still powers the city today. On May 9, 1927, a devastating tornado destroyed much of the town and killed 17 people, including former mayor S. E. Nicholson.

Businesses began to move into the area in the late 1930s. The Craddock food company and later the Byer-Rolnick hat factory (now owned by Resistol) moved into the area. In 1937, KRLD, a major Dallas radio station, built a radio tower in Garland, which is operational to this day. During World War II, several aircraft plants were operated in the area and Kraft Foods purchased one after the war for their own manufacturing usage. By 1950, the population had reached 10,571 people.

From 1950 to 1954, the area suffered from a serious drought. To meet the water needs, which came from wells, the city began using the waters of nearby Lake Lavon as a means to improve the water supply.

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 numbers to 38,501. By 1970, it more than doubled again to 81,437. By 1980, the population crossed the 100,000-person threshold with 138,857 people and nearly doubled again in 20 years to 215,768 in 2000.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Garland was home to one of the two Dallas-area Wet 'n Wild facilities before the company's purchase by Six Flags and eventual closure of the Garland facility in 1993 (the Arlington facility was renamed Six Flags Hurricane Harbor).

In the 2000s, Garland grew by adding developments in North Garland including Hawaiian Falls Adventure Park, a small waterpark featuring slides and other water attractions with a Hawaiian theme, in 2003; the Garland Independent School District Special Events Center, which houses graduations, dog shows, and other events, in 2005; and the Firewheel Town Center, an outdoor mall featuring shops, department stores, resturants, and a movie theater, in 2005.

Garland is also home to 3D Realms, the video game company that created and developed Duke Nukem 3D, developed Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall Of Max Payne. They are currently working on Duke Nukem Forever.

In addition to Mike Judge previously taking residence in Garland, singer LeAnn Rimes also grew up in Garland. Lonestar keyboard player Dean Sams was also born in Garland. David Koresh attended Garland High before his involvement in the infamous Waco incident. Dallas radio personalities Monty Cook (WBAP) and Dave Mitchell (WRR) also grew up in Garland. Award winning radio personality Samantha Adams of Craig & Sam in the Morning of WMEE Fort Wayne, Indiana was born in Garland. Former NBA star point guard Mookie Blaylock is a Garland native.

Several episodes of the Chuck Norris television series Walker Texas Ranger were filmed in Garland. The Fox Network series Prison Break has also filmed in and around Garland.

[edit] Geography

Location of Garland, Texas

Garland is located at 32°54′26″N, 96°38′7″W (32.907325, -96.635197)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 147.9 km² (57.1 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 215,768 people, 73,241 households, and 55,443 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,458.7/km² (3,778.1/mi²). There were 75,300 housing units at an average density of 509.1/km² (1,318.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.27% White, 11.87% African American, 0.60% Native American, 7.33% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 11.99% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.58% of the population.

There were 73,241 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,156, and the median income for a family was $53,545. Males had a median income of $35,859 versus $29,392 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,000. About 6.8% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Population history

1900-202
1910-1,054
1920-4,505
1930-8,958
1940-5,698
1950-10,547
1960-38,501
1970-81,437
1980-138,857
1990-164,748
2000-215,768

[edit] Education

This is the more than 100 year old Garland High School. This lineart graphic displays the historic front of the high school that faces South Garland Ave in the Downtown Garland District.
This is the more than 100 year old Garland High School. This lineart graphic displays the historic front of the high school that faces South Garland Ave in the Downtown Garland District.

Most of Garland is in Garland Independent School District. Parts of Garland extend into other districts, including Dallas Independent School District, Mesquite Independent School District, and Richardson Independent School District.

GISD does not have school zoning, so GISD residents may apply to any GISD school.

The GISD portion of Garland is served by several high schools, including Garland High School, North Garland High School, South Garland High School, Naaman Forest High School, Rowlett High School, and Sachse High School. Lakeview Centennial High School is a GISD magnet school located in Garland. Garland High School is home to the district's International Baccalaureate program. North Garland High School is the math, science and technology magnet.

The MISD portion of Garland is served by Price Elementary School, Vanston Middle School, and North Mesquite High School.

As of November 2006, GISD [www.homes101.net/texas-schools/garland-isd-d15049/] statistics show 52,391 students with 3,236 teachers with an average ratio of 16.2 students per teacher. According to the Dallas Central Appraisal District [www.dallascad.org/forms/2006rate.pdf] the GISD property tax rate is $1.5449 per thousand dollars of 100% of the assessed property value.

[edit] Points of interest

The Patty Granville Arts Center.
The Patty Granville Arts Center.

[edit] Shopping & Dining

[edit] Cultural arts & entertainment

[edit] Parks & recreation

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Trains

[edit] Light rail

[edit] Interesting item for Star Trek fans

-Garland, Texas has a street called Star Trek Lane which is the first and probably the only known official place name of the Star Trek television series created by Gene Roddenberry a Texas native born in El Paso, Texas.

[edit] External links

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