One of Arlington’s earliest tourist attractions was the mineral well.

Arlington’s story began with a train, but first, it began with the tracks. In 1876, the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway connected a small North Texas settlement to a growing network of communities, bringing new opportunities for commerce, travel, and growth. The community that formed around those rails would become the Arlington we know today.

Imagine Arlington in 1900. A new century had arrived, and nearly 25 years since its founding, the population was finally poised to cross the threshold of 1,000 people. The railroad brought the world through the center of town, the mineral well became a tourist draw, and cotton was king. A small town was starting to develop and carve its identity. Though traveling by horse and steam railroad was still standard, the future of travel was here: the Interurban.

History comes alive in Downtown Arlington! There’s no better way to explore an area than on foot, and this one-mile walking tour follows Center Street through the heart of the city’s past. Discover the people and places that helped shape our journey from a tiny railroad stop to a thriving city.