In 1966, there were four main reasons to visit Arlington—five, if you count Mid-City Chrysler and Plymouth, as this ad wanted you to. Yes, the dealership probably just wanted you to buy a new set of wheels, but there is a mini-history lesson in this ad as well. And a bit of humor, as they clarify that they had Barracudas instead of Lake Arlington.

By the mid-1960s, Arlington was growing and home to Arlington State College, Six Flags, Turnpike Stadium, and Lake Arlington. (And yes, the fine folks at Mid-City Chrysler and Plymouth.) It was also home to a General Motors Assembly Plant, though it was probably not mentioned in the ad since they were competitors with Chrysler, and not something you could really visit anyway. However, the arrival of General Motors (1954) was very much a reason for the massive population surge in the 1950s and 1960s, acting as the catalyst for the city’s rapid development over the next decade. Consider this: In 1940, Arlington’s population was less than 5,000—by 1970, it was nearly 90,000, with the town growing exponentially after World War II.

Also of note, Arlington’s location mid-way between Fort Worth and Dallas, as shown here, has greatly contributed to its growth, though the city has carved its own identity from its larger neighbors.

Visit Arlington
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – July 1, 1966
Newspapers.com

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 07-17-26