Garland, Texas, named after Attorney General A. H. Garland, was once part of the W.S. Peters colony. 1850 began the population growth spurt of settlers into the territory. The Garland, Texas black soil was ideal for cotton farming. 

A store and mill was built in 1874. Then in 1867, cotton gins were introduced to the colony. By 1878, their post office was constructed. The settlers’ original fire department began on a voluntary basis with a 2-wheel cart. M. D. Williams was Garland’s first major. Their first marshal was Tobe Ethridge. Jess M. Jones served as the first town marshal, the tax assessor and the city secretary.

It was only in the 1930’s that Garland hired a fireman. In 1955, Harry Grantham was hired as the full-time Fire Chief. Garland, Texas designed its first water and sewer utilities in 1920. The electric system began in 1923. Garland’s Home Rule Charter was passed in 1951.