This cache placement is part of the Garland History GeoTour. Should you wish to download the GeoTour passport to earn our beautiful GeoCoin, you can find the GeoTour page here. The log will contain a secret word which you must enter on your passport in the appropriate slot.
Williams Stadium opened for the first game on October 7, 1954, for the Garland Junior High football team against South Oak Cliff, where Garland won 46-0. The stadium was a “first-class” high school field with an estimated seating capacity of 4,500. This stadium more improved over 
the old high school field located behind Garland High School. The new stadium included improved parking lots, restrooms, concession stands, brighter lighting, and a larger press box. The stadium used natural turf for many years and currently has artificial turf. Over the years, the stadium facilities expanded to accommodate 12,000. The school district purchased the land from D. Cecil Williams for $750/acre. Garland Superintendent Couch said trustees decided to name the gridiron “Williams Field” because of concessions given by Williams in selling the tract to the school district.
In 1885, M.D. Williams and his brother Jasper started a general merchandise and grocery business on the banks of Duck Creek. They also furnished coffins and burial supplies. The business was moved to the southwest corner of the square in 1896. Williams Funeral Home is the outgrowth of this original business. Williams was elected mayor in 1891, shortly after Garland wasp
incorporated. He served several times as an alderman in the years to follow and was also on the Garland School Board.
M. D. Williams’s son, Cecil Williams, purchased the business from his father in 1931 and constructed a new facility two blocks away at 716 Main Street. This building, dedicated solely to funeral service, was one of the first (if not the first) of its kind in Texas. Under Cecil's guidance, the business began to diversify. Williams Ambulance Service was formed with the first motorized ambulance in Dallas County. Williams Ambulance continued to provide emergency ambulance service and was the area's only ambulance service until 1975. D. Cecil Williams was influential in Garland's civic affairs. He served as mayor and on the city council and the school board for many years.
Next to the Stadium is the Garland Independent School District's bus barn. We chose to place this 
cache near the entrance to the bus barn since the Stadium is often filled with kids hungry for the Friday Night Lights and even on other nights as a number of high schools and middle schools use the field for games. It's even available for bands and other concerts. Williams Stadium is truly a multi-purpose facility.