I took this photo five years ago, the day before I launched my Local Unknown blog where I explore the past and present of Arlington. It was one of the first images from my exploration that I vividly remember capturing. Seeing it always reminds me of that hot August evening when I didn’t just take a quick snapshot—I parked my car at the 7-Eleven, got out, walked over to the sign, and carefully lined up the shot, knowing people probably stopped and stared. What the heck is that guy taking a photo of? A sign?

The photo is symbolic because, having grown up in Mansfield but now living in Arlington—and getting ready to start exploring where I lived—I was quite literally leaving Mansfield and entering Arlington. It was on that spot that my exploration of this city began.

Leaving Mansfield / Entering Arlington
August 11, 2000

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Blog post and photo by Jason S. Sullivan, 08-11-25