Arlington Texas History and People

Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson is a former National Football League running back. He attended  Lamar High School in Arlington.

Lacey Sturm

Lacey Sturm is a singer and song writer. Strum is a co-founder of the band Flyleaf and was the lead vocalist. She was raised in Arlington Texas.

Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay is a professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz. He attended attended Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington.

Taylor Cole

Taylor Cole is an American actress and former fashion model. She was born in Arlington in 1984. Cole attended Lamar High School.

Scott Hoying

Scott Hoying is a singer, songwriter, arranger, and musician best known for being a founder and singer for 2 groups. Pentatonix and Superfruit. Hoying was born in Arlington back in 1991.

19th Century

1838

Robert Sloan and Nathaniel T. Journey led an expedition into what is now Arlington and Euless. Following the expedition other groups of European decent began to settle in the area.

1841

On May 24 a Republic of Texas militia led by General Edward H. Tarrant attacked the Village Creek Tribes. After the battle of Village Creek a Fort was constructed by volunteers who belonged to the Fourth Brigade of Texas Militia.

1843

The Republic of Texas signed a peace treaty at Bird’s Fort with nine tribes Indian Tribes therefore dividing the area into Indian and Texas settler areas

1853

A group of settlers led by Patrick A. Watson settled in the area.

1869

Reverend Andrew Shannon Hayter became a part of the community and later started a church called Good Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

 1876

Texas and Pacific Railway Company purchased land for the original site and wanted to name the station Hayterville after Reverend Hayter. Hayter declined but instead named the site Arlington, after Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s home in Virginia.

1877

The town is officially recognized by the United States Postal Service.

1880

In the 1880 census Arlington’s population was 275 people.

1884

April 21 Arlington is incorporated.

1892

Arlington drilled it’s first well at the intersection of Main and Center streets. As a result political rallies, parades and many other events were held at the well. In addition mineral water was also sold at the well.

20th Century

1900

In 1900 Arlington’s population reached 1,072 people.

1924

Arlington’s first park opened in 1924 and was named Meadowbrook Park. Meadowbrook opened with picnic grounds and a nine-hole golf course. Making it the oldest course in Arlington.

1951

Tom Vandergriff the longest serving mayor of Arlington was elected. He was influential in bringing General Motors assembly plant and Six Flags Over Texas.

1957

Lake Arlington came to be after a Dam was made on Village Creek.

Dallas Fort Worth Turnpike now known as Interstate 30 was opened. The highway was renamed in 1977 and toll gates were removed.

1961

Six Flags amusement park was opened. On opening day it had 6 themed sections on it’s opening day. Each flag represented countries that were a part of Texas history. One of them was called The Confederacy even though no foreign government ever recognized the Confederate States of America as an independent country. In 2017 Six Flags brought down Confederate Flags.

1972

Washington Senators moved to Arlington Texas. After that they were renamed the Texas Rangers.

1977

After 13 terms Mayor Tom Vandergriff announces his resignation during a council meeting.

1988

Parks at Arlington Mall is opened therefore becoming one of the top shopping destinations in the Metroplex.

1997

Elzie Odom becomes first African American Mayor of Arlington.