2026 is a special year for Arlington, as it marks the 150th anniversary of the town’s founding.As we look ahead to Arlington150, let’s first enjoy a quick recap of how we got here.
Millions of years after dinosaurs roamed this land, the Caddo and other Indigenous peoples cultivated deep roots in this region. The Battle of Village Creek and the Bird’s Fort Treaty opened the area to pioneer settlement, with Johnson Station serving as one of the earliest outposts. When the railroad arrived in 1876, Andrew Hayter helped plot a townsite, and a tiny settlement sprung up that became Arlington—recognized by the U.S. Postal Service in 1877 and officially incorporated in 1884.
Early draws to the town included its bustling cotton gins and the landmark mineral well, though by 1900, the population was still only 1,000 people. As the decades passed, travelers flowed through Arlington along the Bankhead Highway (now Division Street). The highway brought with it a different kind of excitement: the horse racing of Arlington Downs and the nightlife of Top O’ Hill Terrace, which featured a legendary underground casino.
Arlington began to shed its small-town image after World War II, though the population remained under 8,000 by 1950. The trajectory of the city changed forever when Tom Vandergriff was elected mayor in 1951. Under his leadership, the city secured General Motors (1954), the Great Southwest Industrial District (1956), Lake Arlington (1957), Six Flags Over Texas (1961), and the Texas Rangers (1972).
The Entertainment District has only continued to evolve since then, highlighted by the Dallas Cowboys moving to the city in 2009 and the opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in 2025. Throughout this growth, though, Arlington has remained a quintessential college town. UTA continues to be a major research institution, with roots stretching back to its founding in 1895.
Today, Arlington’s economy is a powerhouse of tourism, sports, manufacturing, education, and research. With a diverse population over 400,000—20% of whom were born in other countries—the city continues to grow. As we celebrate Arlington’s 150th anniversary, we honor a rich history, a legacy of ambition and can-do spirit, and the unique identity the city has carved for itself in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 01-15-25
Jason S. Sullivan 