Marquee sign at the Arlington Music Hall that reads: "The American Dream City Arlington Texas USA".
Marquee sign outside the Arlington Music Hall in downtown Arlington.

Arlington, The American Dream City

Since its founding in 1876, Arlington has grown from a humble farming community into one of America’s most vibrant cities now the 50th largest in the nation and home to nearly 400,000 people in the heart of the Metroplex. This milestone year is all about celebrating our rich heritage, cultural diversity, and bold spirit of innovation.

Today, Arlington is a dynamic city where neighbors, businesses, schools, and civic leaders work together to preserve our hometown feel while driving progress. Spanning 99 square miles of opportunity and excitement, Arlington offers world-class arts and culture, recreation amenities, sports, shopping, dining and entertainment, which makes it a premier destination for visitors and a place our residents proudly call home.

“The thing I prize the most is that I think I helped, at least in part, to develop a confidence. A spirit in Arlington that we could dream The Big Dream and take it to reality ... that we had enough going for us here to do it ourselves.”

Tom Vandergriff, Mayor of Arlington (1951-1977)

Add Your Voice to Arlington’s Legacy

As we celebrate 150 years of history and progress, we want to hear from you! Every memory, photo, and experience helps tell the story of The American Dream City, a story built by its people.


Whether you’ve lived here for generations or just arrived, your perspective matters. Share your favorite Arlington moments, family traditions, or milestones and help us create a community archive that honors our past and inspires our future.

Aerial photo of Arlington from downtown and UTA with Entertainment District seen in the distance.