A large crowd of visitors had a great time at the Magical Candlelight Christmas-town event Friday, Dec. 2. Christmas decorations and lights adorned the homes as choirs and bands from area churches and Garland ISD schools entertained the attendees. There was a live nativity scene as well as a craft booth for the kids.
Homes at 411 South 11th Street (1913), 313 South 11th Street (1913), 311 South 11th Street (mid-century), 317 South 11th Street (turn of the last century) and 901 West Avenue E in the Embree neighborhood (built in 2012 and designed to fit in the historic area) were open for tours. The vintage homes had spokespersons stationed out front to talk about the structures’ history.
Magic 11th Street is in the Travis College Hill Addition. The Embree neighborhood was established in 1886 near the Santa Fe Railroad. It was later part of the area that incorporated as Garland in 1891.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were also on-hand to take photos and hear wish lists from children and adults alike!
In addition to the Christmas fun, Garland Plan Commissioner Christopher Ott, designed a monument to the hundreds of Garland residents who lost their lives to COVID. It also commemorates two pandemics, two world wars, the Great Depression and the 1927 Garland tornado. The monument is located at the corner of 11th Street and Avenue B. The sculpture is made of powder-coated aluminum and features a flower, a butterfly and an inscription. The work on the monument was done by small businesses in Garland. The monument was sponsored by the Friends of Magic 11th Street nonprofit.
About Friends of Garland’s Historic Magic 11th Street: This 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization works for the betterment of Garland through historic preservation, community development and improvement of Garland’s 11th Street as well as the wider downtown area.