THANKS TO
S c h n e i d e r E l e c t r i c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 5
T i m e s Te n C e l l a r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 6
J. Baxter Brinkmann
G i t t i n g s ® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 7
M a r y A n n S h e r m a n P h o t o g r a p h y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 8
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
8 5
The City of Coppell is a vibrant com-
CITY OF
munity located in the heart of the Dallas/
Fort Worth Metroplex. Regularly recognized as
COPPELL
one of the best places to live in the region,
state, and country, Coppell is home to
almost 40,000 people as of 2012. The city is
recognized for its intentional small town
atmosphere and family-oriented community
structure. Coppell’s neighborhoods—many of
them boasting curving, tree-lined streets,
pocket parks, and small lakes—
offer an architectural variety not
commonly found in Dallas suburbs.
Coppell is also known for its superb
The Coppell Independent School
location. Surrounded by State Highways 114
District, a consistently high-per-
and 121 and Interstates 635 and 35, Coppell’s
forming public school system in
geographic location affords quick trips to the
north Texas, is considered a transfor-
airport, sports and entertainment venues,
mational leader and public educa-
downtown Dallas, and numerous neighboring
tion visionary across the state. Its
cities and suburbs. The second-to-none loca-
long-standing reputation for excel-
tion within the Metroplex, outstanding public
lence in academics, the arts, and
school systems, and the high quality services
athletics, is directly attributed to the
provided by the city create a quality of life
conscientious and caring communi-
resulting in family after family adopting
ty in which it has successfully
Coppell as their community of choice.
resided for over fifty years. With a
The community of Coppell has roots in
staff that is invested in helping every
the north Texas region tracing back to the late
learner achieve success, parents who
nineteenth century. By 1873 the community
are actively involved in their child’s
was known as “Gibbs” in honor of former
education, and a supportive com-
Texas Senator and Lieutenant Governor
munity, the Coppell ISD remains one
Barnett Gibbs. The first post office was
of the top rated and most highly
opened in 1887 inside of W. O. Harrison’s
sought after public school systems
drug store. During this time railroad trans-
in the DFW Metroplex and Texas.
portation played an important role for farmers
taking their produce to available markets
and so the Cotton Belt Railroad, which served
as a line on the St. Louis and Southwestern
Texas Railroad, established the depot “Gibbs
Station” in the community in 1889.
In 1892 the community changed its name
to Coppell, most likely after George Coppell,
a prominent New York businessman closely
associated with the railroad. Up until the
1920s the railroad was the major form of
transportation into the community. After
that paved roads and automobiles became
more prevalent in the area and in the 1960s
the newly constructed interstate highway
system extended regional access into Coppell.
Many changes occurred over the next
decades leading into the twenty-first century
spurring growth and settlement in the com-
munity. In 1974, DFW International Airport
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 86
opened, which was at the time the largest air-
Numerous amenities within the city make
port in the world. Highway systems were
Coppell a comfortable and exciting place
expanded as living in suburbs became popu-
to live. One such convenience is the Coppell
lar. Since Coppell is conveniently located
Farmers’ Market. Established in 2003 by
between Dallas and the DFW Airport, many
Coppell citizens who had a vision for a
people decided to take up residence in the
farmers market in Old Town Coppell, it has
community. Since 1970, Coppell has averaged
been very successful and serves as one of only
an increase of 1,000 new residences per year.
900 markets in the United States open during
The small town feel of Coppell combined
the winter (USDA figures). The market has
with the central location in the Metroplex
a wide selection of seasonal fruits
provide residents and businesses alike the
and vegetables, natural meats,
best of both worlds. Worldclass entertain-
cheeses, artisan breads, and other
ment including major sports and cultural
products. Over 1,000 customers
events are easily accessible by those living
come to the Coppell Farmers’
and working in Coppell. Music, sports, fine
Market on a given Saturday to be
dining, along with the culture and night life
a part of the local food movement.
of both Dallas and Fort Worth are a few of
Another amenity that has grown
examples of the vast entertainment possibili-
in popularity is the Coppell
ties all within a short drive from Coppell.
Community Garden project. The
In addition to the quality residential
gardens cultivate a healthy commu-
growth, Coppell is also home to a modern
nity with two public plots where
commercial/industrial community. This inno-
gardeners can actively participate
vative business district is home to businesses
in the joys of gardening, learn
such as The Container Store, Staples, Samsung
about organic gardening, and share
Telecommunications, Amazon.com, AAA, IBM,
fresh produce with each other
Haverty’s, and others providing jobs and
and local organizations collecting
municipal revenues that enable the city to
nutritious food for underprivileged
continue the delivery of high quality services.
families. On an annual basis the
Another unique aspect of Coppell’s posi-
community garden harvests in excess
tion in the Metroplex is the proximity of
of 10,000 pounds of fresh picked
higher education opportunities located with-
produce donated to Metrocrest Social
in commuting distance such as the University
Services food pantry for families in
of North Texas, the University of Texas at
need. The community garden also
Dallas, Southern Methodist University, Texas
offers classes, seminars, talks, tours,
Christian University, and the University of
and booths on many sustainable
Texas at Arlington. In addition, the Dallas
living topics that include organic
County Community College District’s North
vegetable gardening, drought tolerant
Lake College has opened a satellite campus
landscaping, rainwater harvesting,
in the City of Coppell.
and composting.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
8 7
The City of Coppell has a sizable parks
neighborhoods, supporting the business
system with a state-of-the-art aquatic and
community and promoting all of the other
recreation center, seventeen parks, and a
elements that make up a desirable community.
well-integrated trail system winding through-
One such initiative is the Coppell 2030
out the city. The trail system currently has
Plan developed and approved by the citizens
approximately seven miles of concrete multi-
of Coppell. This strategic plan serves as a
use trails with additional sections planned for
road map for the community, providing
the future. This is Coppell’s contribution to a
strategies to manage future opportunities and
larger regional trail system linking communi-
challenges presented to the city over the next
ties throughout north Texas.
twenty years. This plan will ensure that the
Furthermore, what you will also find in the
high standard of living present in the city
Coppell parks and recreation system is the
today will be maintained tomorrow as
sixty-six acre Coppell Nature Park located
Coppell plans to grow with the rest of the
within Wagon Wheel Park on the west side of
DFW Metroplex.
town. The park serves as a natural habitat
Another initiative is Main Street Coppell,
for hawks, coyotes, bobcats, and over 130
located within the Old Town Historic
different species of migratory birds. The park
District. This community-centric downtown
also promotes the preservation of the natural
destination offers restaurants, professional
environment through conservation and edu-
services, and niche retail shops that are
cation developed by the nonprofit organiza-
easily accessible and pedestrian friendly. At
tion, Friends of Coppell Nature Park (FCNP).
the center of the downtown area is a two
To enhance the overall sustainability of
acre park anchored by restaurants where
these amenities, the City of Coppell
neighbors can relax and enjoy a meal in a
implemented the EcoCoppell program in
comfortable and safe environment. The city is
order to improve environmental standards,
contributing a play area for children; a pavil-
minimize impacts on the environment, pro-
ion for the Farmers’ Market and community
tect natural resources, educate others on
events; public restrooms; an interactive water
sustainability, and ensure a safe and desirable
feature and a future community facility at the
community for all its residents. The
south end of the park. The heart and soul of
EcoCoppell program champions environ-
Main Street, however, are the residents who
mental projects such as the city’s construction
live in the forty-four homes adjacent to the
of a new senior and community center, which
park and Farmers’ Market. These residents
are LEED certified at the silver level. In 2012
cultivate a sense of community by living next
the Texas Commission on Environmental
to and participating in the special events and
Quality (TCEQ) recognized Coppell with
cultural activities that are put on annually
the Texas Environmental Excellence Award
and that further foster citizen participation.
for Innovative Operations/
There was a school (likely a log cabin) in
Management, which further
the Coppell area as early as the 1870s, and by
solidifies the city’s commit-
the 1890s, school was being held in local
ment to sustainability and
church buildings. Coppell had its own school
environmental awareness.
building by at least 1897, and a newer two-
The City of Coppell is
story building served students at the turn of
forward-focused and is
the century. In 1927 the Dallas County School
currently in the process of
System acquired six acres of land in Coppell
numerous initiatives to
along present Southwestern Boulevard for
prepare for the future. The
$900, upon which a new brick building was
city is dedicated to quality
built. Two rural schools, Gentry School and
future programs and servic-
Bethel School, consolidated with Coppell
es, ensuring financial stabil-
School and moved into the new building, part
ity, sustaining the city’s
of which is, today, Pinkerton Elementary.
infrastructure, maintaining
In 1928, Coppell School had 175 students
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 88
in grades one through eight.
Upon finishing the eighth grade,
students attended Carrollton
High School to graduate from the
twelfth grade.
Coppell School ceased to be a
county school in 1959 when the
Coppell Independent School
District was created. In the early
1960s, a decision was made to
expand Coppell School into a
full twelve grade school, and a
grade was added per year until
1965, when the first high school
class graduated from Coppell
High School. Two years later, a
second school building was built to house
grades seven through twelve; that building
today is Coppell Middle School West.
Until 1963, Coppell athletic teams were
known as the Coppell Tigers. Then, partly
because of the new professional football team
in Dallas, and partly because Coppell was
home to a junior rodeo, the mascot changed
to the Coppell Cowboys.
As rapid city growth continued after 1967,
Coppell Middle School was located on the
same site as Coppell High School. Coppell
Middle School East was added in 1986.
Coppell High School moved to its present
location in 1989, allowing Coppell Middle
School West to take over its present location.
Starting in 1983, Coppell added elementary
schools until there were ten (the Lee
Elementary site was repurposed in 2008),
and Coppell Middle School North, built in
1998, brought the number of middle schools
students in grades K-12, including 9 at the
to three.
elementary level, 3 middle schools, 2 high
In 2008, Coppell opened its second high
schools, and an alternative campus. The
school, New Tech High @ Coppell, with two
City of Coppell provides its residents and
grade levels, ninth and tenth, with 275 stu-
businesses with a family-oriented communi-
dents. This twenty-first century choice high
ty, truly making it “A Family Community For
school was founded on the concept of collab-
A Lifetime.” It is because of the small town
orative and project-based learning and was
feel, inviting gathering places, the opportuni-
the forty-second New Tech High academic
ty for an active and healthy lifestyle, top
community of its kind in the entire nation.
quality schools, great livable neighborhoods,
Student growth in the district averaged
and prosperous business centers current
over sixteen percent from the mid-1980s.
residents enjoy and future residents are
Today, as the largest employer in Coppell,
attracted to, that make Coppell a wonderful
with over 1,200 employees, Coppell ISD
place to live. So what are you waiting for?
has fifteen campuses serving nearly 11,000
Come try it for yourself!
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
8 9
GARLAND
Texas Made Here is more than a branding
list of Top 100 Places to Live based on
slogan for Garland, Texas. It is a state of mind
housing advantages, strong job opportuni-
that immigrant settlers brought with them
ties, excellent schools, low crime, quality
in the 1800s when they began chiseling the
healthcare and plenty of fun and cultural
pioneer town of Garland incorporated in 1891.
things to do.
By the early 1920s, the Bankhead Highway,
Garland is a major manufacturing hub
one of the nation’s first transcontinental arteries,
with Texas Made Here at the core of its
put Garland on the map by routing motorists
economy. Aside from Texas cowboy hats
between Washington, D.C. and San Diego
that are still made here by Resistol’s Hatco
down Main Street. In 1927, however, a raging
brand, more than 375 manufacturers make
F4 tornado almost destroyed the city. Once
electronics, steel fabrication, oilfield equip-
again citizens engaged their Texas spirit and
ment, aluminum die-casting as well as dairy
built a bigger and better Garland. Within a
and food products in Garland.
Top, left: Plaza Theatre a local landmark in
decade, the nucleus of Garland’s future was
The local workforce includes over
historic downtown that hosts movies, as well
in place.
106,000 skilled employees. While manufac-
as musical and theatrical performances.
During the late 1930s, Craddock Food
turing and fabrication are the foundation;
Company and Byer-Rolnick hat factory,
jobs in healthcare, renewable technology
Top, right: Firewheel Town Center,
which is now Resistol, set up stakes in
and wireless communications round out the
an open-air complex that offers an
Garland. In the midst of World War II,
city’s economic diversity. Top employers
assortment of shops, restaurants and a
a number of defense contractors opened
include Raytheon, General Dynamics, Baylor
movie theatre with 3D and IMAX screen.
aircraft plants. After the war, Kraft Foods
Hospital, Atlas Copco, Sherwin Williams,
purchased the Continental Motors Plant.
Kraft Foods and US Foodservice.
Below: Baylor Medical Center Garland,
Generations of Garland leaders have since
Garland is not only a great place to work;
a fully accredited, 240-bed medical center
adopted the Texas Made Here maxim by
it is a great place to live. Between a vast range
serving the community.
progressively molding Garland into a large
of housing options, hometown culture, natu-
culturally diverse city with Texas-sized oppor-
ral resources and recreational opportunities;
tunities. Twenty-first cen-
Garland puts the life in lifestyles.
tury Garland is the twelfth
Families and households of all sizes call
most populated city in
Garland home. With housing ranging from
Texas and the eighty-sev-
traditional homes in historic neighborhoods
enth most populated city
to executive estates and urban multifamily
in the U.S. More than a
communities, Garland’s home choices are as
quarter-million residents
distinct as the city itself.
call Garland home.
An abundant healthcare network—
Located in northeast
anchored by Baylor Garland Hospital—and
Dallas County, Garland
education excellence complement Garland’s
ranked on the CNNMoney
lifestyle amenities.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 90
Garland Independent School District (GISD)
even meandering through the mammoth
is the second largest public school system in
120,000 square foot store is an adventure all
Dallas County, the twelfth largest in Texas
its own.
and among the 100 largest in the United
The city is known for its arts community,
States. With a student population of 58,000,
which includes Garland Summer Musicals,
Above: Firewheel Golf Park offers three
seventy-seven percent of its campuses have
Garland Symphony Orchestra, Garland Civic
courses with a challenge for every skill level.
received Exemplary or Recognized ratings.
Theatre and the Garland Opry. Live produc-
Along with Garland’s live and learn advan-
tions and concerts are typically staged at the
Below: Hawaiian Falls Waterpark with
tages, the city is a great place to play. With
Arts Center or the Plaza Theatre located in
water rides, slides, interactive spray pool
2,800 acres of parks and open spaces, two
historic downtown.
and a lazy river.
water parks, athletic fields, playgrounds,
Garland, an integral part of Dallas County,
walking trails and mountain bike trails the
is accessible via a transportation network
Learn more by visiting
entire family will enjoy being outdoors.
that includes Interstate 30, Interstate 635
www.TexasMadeHere.com.
Spring Creek Nature Preserve and Rowlett
and President George Bush Turnpike. Dallas
Creek Preserve offer mountain bikers, cross-
Area Rapid Transit serves Garland with bus
country runners and hikers a scenic physical
transportation and light rail.
challenge while providing birders and nature
Today, Texas Made Here tells the Garland
lovers with breathtaking views of Texas bird