Grand Prairie Svcs history

The Historical Bulletin was first published in 1958 by editor Boyd Johnson, making it one of the first local historical journals in Arkansas.

In 1959, the Florence Hill School District consolidated into the Grand Prairie Independent School District, adding 600 pupils and 25 square miles of land into the GPISD.

Society members were instrumental in the elevation of the original Arkansas Post State Park to national memorial status in 1960, and in the founding of Arkansas Post County Museum (the current Arkansas Post Museum) in the same year.

Annexation resulted in growth, for 1962 marked Grand Prairie’s greatest single year record in construction growth in its history, with almost $12 million in building permits issued.

South Grand Prairie High School was built in 1969 with an enrollment of 448 students versus today’s 3,381.

In 1972, City Hall received its first computer, which was purchased to handle the city’s water bill accounts and cost $2,000 a month.

Traders Village, a 106-acre flea market, was founded in 1973 and is still in existence today.

The Grand Prairie Police Association was founded in 1974 by a group of highly dedicated officers that wanted to create a high level of professionalism and unity among fellow officers.

For additional information: Allen, Garner. “Grand Prairie Historical Society.” Grand Prairie Historical Bulletin 22 (April 1979): 5–7.

In 1983, The News published a story celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Village.

In 1984, Grand Prairie’s own Charley Taylor was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame.

The Westchester neighborhood celebrated its grand opening in 1985, heralded as one of the finest residential developments in southwest Dallas County.

Growth also came with the development of Joe Pool Lake, which was filled and completed in 1989.

In 1992, citizens passed a half cent sales tax to be used to build Lone Star Park, a class one horse racetrack.

The city’s premier golf course Tangle Ridge, opened in 1995, said to “forever change the face of public golf” in DFW by golf writer Matt McKay.

The year 1997 was big for economic development with 23 new companies opening, including the first major retail in 10 years with Towne Crossing Center, featuring Home Depot and Target.

In 2001, voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax for street improvements, and the city opened Fire Station No.

Conine, Bill. “Grand Prairie Historical Society’s Half Century of Service.” Grand Prairie Historical Bulletin 46 (July 2003): 3–60.

In 2004, Lone Star Park hosted the 21st running of the Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championship and the city opened the Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens.

In 2006, the Bowles Life Center and Bear Creek South Park opened; the city purchased the Uptown Theater to renovate the former movie house into a performing arts venue; and landed the Lake Prairie Towne Crossing with Super Target and Home Depot on Camp Wisdom.

The year 2008 also marked the opening of the restored Uptown Theater to rave reviews, and the city was named a “Best Place to Live” by Money Magazine, a Playful City USA by Kaboom, and won the National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award for best parks in the nation.