In 1832, the farming community of "Grapevine Springs" was organized in the vicinity of the present-day Grapevine Springs Park. The springs area was utilized as campgrounds and was reportedly the location where Sam Houston signed a treaty with the local Indians. Settlers began moving to the area in the 1840's. Most of north central Texas settlers were of German or French descent. By 1846, Dallas County was organized and by 1856, the city of Dallas was founded.

By 1873, the community became known as "Gibbs," in honor of former Texas Senator and Lieutenant Governor Barnett Gibbs. The community changed its name again in 1890 - this time to "Coppell", in honor of George Coppell, the engineer credited with bringing the railroad to the community.

Transportation has played a key role in the history of the City. The Cotton Belt Railroad (part of the St. Louis and Southwestern Texas Railroad) established the "Gibbs Station" in the community in 1889, providing needed transportation for the area's many farms. The railroad was the major form of transportation into the community until the 1920's, when paved roads and automobiles became more prevalent in the area. It was not until the 1960's that the then-new Interstate Highway system extended regional access near, but not through Coppell.