With a start in 1844, Ovilla was a fortified settlement, which grew as the new settlers began to arrive for attendance in brush arbor meetings held by the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church started in 1847 by Reverend Finis E. King.
The town remained a thriving farming area throughout the 1800’s, after which there was a great deal of change and declination of growth, until Dallas began to grow feeding the growth of Ovilla as well.
What brings most attention to the city is the shooting of many “Walker, Texas Ranger” episodes which took place in the city itself.