Andrew Hayter was asked in 1876 to locate the railroad through eastern Tarrant County and lay out a tiny, half-mile-square settlement between Dallas and Fort Worth. The railroad designers needed in-depth knowledge of the area and its terrain, as well as a plentiful source of timber to construct the road bed. Hayter could supply the necessary surveying knowledge, and also owned property filled with large timbers that could be furnished to the railroad.
Settlement is established along the Texas and Pacific Railway, beginning its journey as a vibrant community. That first T&P locomotive, Engine No. 20, met by a cheering crowd, rolled into the town on July 19, 1876, there to find mostly unplowed buffalo prairie marked with dirt streets and survey stakes.
Carver Dixon "Uncle Dutch" King becomes the first mayor of Arlington. Learn more about Arlington's first mayor.
Johnson Station Baptist Church moves with the community three miles north, eventually becoming known as First Baptist Church of Arlington
Arlington's first three stores, 1876-1897; James Ditto, first post office, and R.W. Collins (partner); Hutchinson store; Amos Bledsoe store; J.S. McKiney in suit; George Lampe, blacksmith
Settlement renamed "Arlington" (previously known as "Johnson" or "Hayter") at Rev. Hayter's request. The birth of Arlington caused the demise of tiny Hayterville. The post office was soon moved. Arlington, Texas is officially recognized by the United States Postal Service. Hayterville was abandoned.
A group of Methodists meet in Schults' lumberyard at Mesquite and Front Streets and organize the first church congregation in Arlington's original township.
Arlington landowner James Daniel Cooper builds a majestic colonial house on the corner of what is now Cooper St. and Abram St.
U.S. Census shows a population of 275 people with eight general merchants, three drug stores, a lumber dealer, two physicians, a hotel keeper, a saloon operator and various other occupations including farming.
William Timmerman and Colonel Thomas Spruance establish the city's first newspaper called "The World."
Arlington officially incorporates, setting the stage for civic growth and community spirit.
For 140 years Arlington firefighters have been serving the citizens and visitors of Arlington, Texas. Hundreds of men and women have served in the department since 1884. The first few used buckets and wooden ladders to serve a small city on the railroad.
Cemetery Society (later Arlington Historical Society) founded.
Rice Wood Collins, a successful merchant, starts public well campaign for access to water.
“Christmas Eve Massacre” gunfight leaves four men and a horse dead on Main Street near the rail station.
The original mineral well is drilled by a wood-powered steam engine.
The Arlington Police Department's roots go back to 1894 with the appointment of the first city marshal, W.M. Douglass, but it evolved significantly over time, with a major pivotal moment in 1934 when Chief A.C. (Ott) Cribbs began leading a more formalized force, growing from early roles where fire chiefs also served as police and developing into the modern department it is today.
Arlington College is established (now UTA). UT Arlington is the third-largest producer of college graduates in Texas and offers over 180 baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree programs.
William W. McNatt, a merchant and farmer, sells a portion of his farm to sell lots for burial. Many Arlington pioneers are buried thereafter. In 1896, William W. McNatt, a merchant and farmer, sold a portion of his farm to sell lots for burial. Located at Mary and Mitchell Streets, graves of many city pioneers can be found here.
