Settlers began coming to the area where Plano is now located about 1845, the town was not incorporated until June 2, 1873. In the initial corporation, Plano was a general law city and was not made a home rule city until 1961. In April of 1881, the City Council room, Mayor’s Office and the City Court were located in the back room of C.J.E. Kellner’s saddlery shop on the west side of Main Street. Documents regarding city business prior to 1881 most likely burned in the August 27, 1881 fire which destroyed the entire business district.
The city marshal functioned as chief law enforcement officer until 1957, when the Plano Police Department was organized. The mayor continued to act as city recorder in disposing of citations to traffic violators and misdemeanor cases occurring within the city limits until 1959.
On January 1, 1957 Otho J. Nitcholas, Sr. was appointed Plano’s first Chief of Police. Wallace Williams, the last Town Marshal joined the Police Department as a patrolman, as did the last Night Watchman, J.T. Sheridan.
These are a few of the men who served as 
Town Marshal between 1881 and 1957.
J. W. Roland
J.C. Klepper
Charles M. Hutchinson
Jim Vance
N.P. Lynge
J.H. Standifer
Edison Dudley
Wallace Williams
During these early years, several ordinances were passed. A few of these ordinances are listed below, along with the date they were enacted.
June 15, 1881: An ordinance was passed prohibiting the obstruction of passage on sidewalks or platforms in town by placing boxes or other articles, by hitching horses, or by any other means. ...Those not heeding this ordinance were to be fined up to $2
August 27, 1881: An ordinance was passed making it a misdemeanor for anyone to throw upon a public street paper, sawdust, or any like material unless it be immediately burned under the watchful eye of the person burning it so as to prevent damages.
August 27, 1881: An ordinance was drawn 
up requiring the Town Marshal to inspect all chimneys, fireplaces, stoves, stove pipes, and flues in use within the town borders and to see that any necessary repairs be made.
October 28, 1881: It was unlawful for a person to carry in his saddle bags or valise any pistol, derringer, dagger, slingshot, sword, cane, or brass knuckles. The person was subject to a $25 to $100 fine.
October 28, 1881: An assault and battery ordinance which carried a $25 fine was enacted. Anyone who could not pay the fine was committed to work it off at hard labor and given credit of $1 per day.
October 28, 1881: Horse racing carried a $25 to $100 fine. Anyone who could not pay the fine was committed to work it off at hard labor and given credit of $1 per day.
October 28, 1881: It was expensive to fight in a public place as the fine was not to exceed $100. The same fine was enacted for “any person who shall discharge any gun or pistol across any public street, square, or alley.” Anyone who could not pay a fine was committed to work it off at hard labor and given credit of $1 per day.
November 15, 1881: An ordinance was 
enacted making it unlawful for any person to drive any horse or mule on any sidewalk or into any dwelling or place of business. A $100 fine was assessed.
July 18, 1882: The City purchased a site for the jail at a cost of $50.
July 18, 1883: The Town Marshal’s salary was raised to $20 per month. He was also the tax collector and given the additional duties of taking a census of the town and of assessing taxes.
December 14, 1886: The Town Marshal was having difficulty in collecting the water tax and was told to defer collections until further notice. He was assigned a new job, that of repairing the old sidewalks.
April 8, 1890: The first ordinances were adopted providing for a street commission, and the City Marshal was appointed as the supervisor of all City work.
April 13, 1891: The Town Marshal was paid 25 cents for carrying away a dead dog.
May 10, 1892: The recurring street repair problem was partially resolved by passing an ordinance whereby “miscreants to work their fines out in the streets when they fail or refuse to pay such fines.”
June 11, 1895: Ordinances were passed prohibiting the riding of bicycles or tricycles on public sidewalks. The offense carried a fine up to $100.
September 22, 1899: The first Corporation Court was established with jurisdiction within the City limits to hear criminal cases arising out of ordinance violations. The Court was to be presided over by a person known as the Recorder, who “shall hereafter be elected by the council and hold term of office until the next general election when he is subject to the electorate.” The Recorder of the Court was also the Mayor of Plano.
April 21, 1908: The mayor made his annual report of fines assessed during the past year, totaling $37.35 less 15 percent commission to the mayor.
July 13, 1909: The first ordinance regulating the speed of automobiles was enacted, setting the speed limit at 7 miles per hour.
July 26, 1910: The speed limit was increased to 8 miles per hour as a maximum speed. Also noted was that a person riding or driving a horse had the right of way.
March 11, 1918: An ordinance was passed that made it unlawful for chickens, ducks, and turkeys to run free on City streets.
January 8, 1923: The City Marshal’s job duties were redefined by city council. “It shall be the duty of the City Marshal to act as a peace officer, and, in addition, to assess and collect city taxes.” His salary to be $50 a month and the compensation for taxes as fixed by law.