The availability of abundant irrigation water brought people to Garland from other places in Utah, including Farmington and Cache Valley, as well as outside the territory from as far away as Japan. The settlement in and around Garland was at first called Sunset and the first church was called the Sunset Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mail was delivered by horse and carriage from Hessville to the east. In 1895 citizens met to push for the establishment of a post office in the community, and at this time it was decided to change the name of Sunset to Garland in honor of William Garland.

The first school in Garland was built in 1898 and was located one mile north of the main intersection. Later, in 1921, the Bear River High School was built at the southern edge of Garland and has served students from both Garland and Tremonton since its construction. A Carnegie library, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed in 1914. That year the Garland Tabernacle was built by members of the LDS Church. Today most residents of the community are Mormon and comprise three wards in Garland. Non-Mormons attend church services in Tremonton and other places.