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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). 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 . 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. Research Tips
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