The Garland Landmark Society, Inc.
Public squares are uncommon in cities not designated as county seats and adorned
by court houses. Indeed, Garland's downtown area was
never laid out with a square in mind. When the city was incorporated in 1891,
the present square consisted of lots and business houses.
But that concept changed after the fire of 1899, which subtracted most of the
wooden structures built in and around that central block.
Only a few buildings, including those standing today on the outside northwest
and southeast corners of the square, survived the flames. |
DEED TO CITY SQUARE
OF GARLAND, TEXAS
JANUARY 24, 1900
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Mrs. S. J. Murphree et al } The State of Texas To: Deed } County of Dallas J.
A. Martin Mayor
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Whereas a great public necessity exist that a public square be laid out
and maintained in the town of Garland Dallas County Texas embracing lots no.
four (4) no five (5) and no six (6) in block no two (2) as shown on the map of
the place of the town of Embree made by Thos King Engineer and on record in
the records of deeds of Dallas County Texas in records of deeds etc of
Dallas County Texas and whereas the citizens of said town of Garland in
consideration of the premises have donated the means to pay the purchase price
for said property. Now therefore
known all men by these presents that we S. J. Murphree and M. D. Williams in
consideration of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars paid to said S. J.
Murphree and one dollar paid to said M.D. Williams to us paid by the citizens
of the town of Garland Texas the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have
granted sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and
release unto J. A. Martin Mayor of the said town of Garland and to his
successors all office as from time to time may be elected according to law all
the right title interest and estate we have in and to the property above
mentioned together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments to
the same belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to have and to hold
all and singular the said premises above mentioned unto said J. A. Martin
Mayor aforesaid trustee of the citizens aforesaid his successors in
office. In trust that said
premises shall be used, kept and maintained as a public square for the
convenience of the public granting to the citizens aforesaid and to their
successors and to the town council of said town and their successors all the
rights, uses and privileges thereto granted by law to the citizens of a
commonweal over public highways under and pursuant to the laws of the state of
Texas and we do hereby bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators
to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said
J.A. Martin trustee aforesaid and his successors against every person
whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof through
by or any under us. Witness my hand this 24th day of January 1900 M. D. Williams S. J. Murphree J. P. Murphree The State of Texas County of Dallas } Before me T. J. Swim a Notary Public in aforesaid county and state on this day personally appeared M. D. Williams known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he had executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office this 24 day of January A.D.1900. T. J. Swim, Notary Public Dallas County Texas The State of Texas County of Dallas
}
Before me T. J. Swim a Notary Public in and of
the county of Dallas and in the state of Texas on this day personally
appeared S. J. Murphree wife of
J. P. Murphree known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing instrument and having been examined by me privily and apart from her
husband and having the said instrument fully explained to her she the said S.
J. Murphree acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she
had willingly signed the same for the purposes and consideration therein
expressed and that she did not wish to retract. Given under my hand and official seal this 25 day of January A.D.1900 LS. T. J. Swim Notary Public Dallas County Texas The State of Texas County of Hamilton } Before me E. Brooks a Notary Public in aforesaid county and state on this day personally appeared J. P. Murphree known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office this 9th day of Feby 1900. L.S. E. Brooks Notary Public Hamilton County Texas Filed for record this 13th day of March 1900 at 5:30 oclock PM A S Jackson County Clerk By H. M. Skelton Dy Recorded April 3 1900 A S Jackson County Clerk By H. M Elliston Dy
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