Page 32 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

1958-1985: PLANO WELCOMES GROWTH

This period begins with the explosion of residential and employment growth brought about by the construction of Central
Expressway. Business begins to shift away from agriculture to technology and research companies, offering white collar jobs. Plano’s
arterial roadway pattern begins to take shape, with shopping centers located at key intersections. Downtown’s importance to the
local economy begins to diminish as Collin Creek Mall becomes the new entertainment area. Plano ISD emerges as a leader in
education and sports.
FIRST FOOTBALL

WILLIAMS HIGH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SCHOOL OPENS (1962) The Plano High School football team defeated Edna
High School 20-17 to win its first state championship.
The school was originally named The school would win six additional championships
Plano High School when it opened as a in ‘67, ‘71, ‘77, ‘86, ‘87, and ‘94.
replacement for the Cox School Building
in 1962. The building was renamed
Williams High School in 1975 following The first traffic light
the opening of Plano Senior High. is installed at 15th
Street and K Avenue.

3,695 17,872

POPULATION POPULATION
OF PLANO NEW CITY HALL (1965) OF PLANO

1958 1960 School Integration (1960-1968) 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972

1962

University of GLADYS HARRINGTON
Plano Opens LIBRARY OPENS (1969)
The first public library in Plano

Texas Pool Parks & Recreation
Department is established
PLANO’S FIRST
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (1963)
With an estimated population of 7,900 SCHOOL
people, double that of just three years prior,
Plano recognized that growth was coming INTEGRATION (1964)
rapidly. The 1963 Comprehensive Plan laid
out the land use plan and transportation In 1964, the PISD School Board voted to give
network, including a planned Expressway students at Douglass High School the option to shift
Loop around the city. The expressway was to Plano High School for the 1964-1965 school year.
never constructed, but the arterial network The students chose to move. Douglass continued
we recognize today began to take shape. to house grades 1-8, before closing completely after
the 1967-1968 school year. Newly integrated, the
Plano High School football team went on to win the
state championship in 1965.

Architecture Downtown Growth & Development Business Douglass Community Institutions Transportation and Infrastructure

32 CHapter 3: history of plano November 2018