In 1965, five years after the Cowboys began playing in the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park, team owner Clint Murchison Jr. showed plans of a new home for his sports franchise to civic and business leaders. He envisioned a sports and entertainment complex in downtown Dallas.

"I think everyone realizes we need a new stadium," Murchison said at the time. "I'm sure of it. And it's not just for the Cowboys. It's for the entire city."

But Dallas Mayor Erik Jonsson, city officials and many residents weren't keen on paying for construction with a combination of city bond funds and private money. Plus, State Fair of Texas officials countered with their own plans to renovate the Cotton Bowl.

Then in early 1967 came a revelation that Murchison had started buying up land in Irving. This sent shockwaves through North Texas. Some blamed Dallas and Jonsson for letting the team slip through the city's hands. Others accused Murchison of turning his back on Big D and pricing out the common fan by requiring season ticket holders to buy revenue bonds to help fund construction.

By 1967, a model of the distinctive stadium and its chosen name - Texas Stadium - were announced. On Sept. 17, 1971, the Greater Southwest Billy Graham Crusade became the first public event at the structure. Then, on Oct. 24, 1971, the Cowboys' game against the New England Patriots marked the team's introduction to its new home.

Mrs. Thomas J. Raleigh was quoted at the first game as saying the stadium was "a taste of the year 2000."

Of course, by the year 2000, talk of building a newer, state-of-the-art facility had already begun. Irving seemed more interested in spending tax dollars on transportation than a new stadium. By the time city and team officials started talking about a new home or a renovated stadium in 2003, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was already shopping around.

A 2004 pitch to Dallas Mayor Laura Miller for a return to Fair Park bore no fruit but plenty of controversy. Miller said she didn't like the idea of taxpayers picking up half the stadium's cost. Many later blamed Miller for not doing more to snag the Cowboys.

Within weeks of that meeting, the team and Arlington entered into exclusive talks that eventually led to a voter-approved stadium in the Tarrant County city - and a countdown to Texas Stadium's end.

"We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make Arlington the No.1 tourist destination in Texas," Jones said at the time.