04/03/2026
TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER HONORING THE FLATS EARLY DAYS GARLAND BLACK COMMUNITY TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 3
The public is invited to attend a Sunday, May 3 celebration for a Texas Historical Marker honoring The Flats, the early days Black residential/business community that existed in downtown Garland.
The marker has been awarded to Friends of Garland's historic Magic 11th Street nonprofit, sponsor of the original musical drama "The Flats", which first introduced to the wider community an awareness of this prominent area that existed alongside the Anglo business district during days of racial segregation.
A key scene from "The Flats: Cradle of a Community", with original cast, will be performed during the free, 3 p.m. celebration on May 3 at The Atrium, 300 North Fifth Street in the Granville Arts Center complex.
The Texas Historical Marker has been awarded by the Texas Historical Commission to commemorate The Flats' strategic importance to the State of Texas. It is the third state marker to be awarded Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street, besides one honoring the Travis College Hill National Register Historic District and one for the Manuel and Maria Valle Family.
The marker will be situated along Fifth Street near The Atrium, where the Garland Colored School, site of education for Garland's Black community, occurred during those days. Besides a school, The Flats also had residences, stores, and a church. The core of The Flats existed on the site of the Granville Arts Center and the Garland City Hall complex, as well as some surrounding areas.
The classroom scene (Scene 3) of the original musical will be performed as part of the May 3 celebration, highly significant since it depicts activities that occurred right on the site where it is being performed.
For more information write [email protected]
The event is funded in part by a grant from the Garland Cultural Arts Commission.
