Local history
A Brief History of Arlington, Texas
Arlington's property patterns — old rentals near downtown, mid-century industry in the northeast, lakeside homes in the west — make more sense once you know how the city grew.
Updated November 6, 2026 · Prepared by XB Junk Solutions LLC · 2 min read
Johnson Station
Before Arlington existed, the area's main settlement was Johnson Station, a trading post and stagecoach stop established in the 1840s south of today's downtown. Its historic cemetery remains an important local landmark.
The railroad and the 1876 founding
When the Texas & Pacific Railway built west from Dallas, a town site was laid out along the tracks in 1876, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. The new town took the name Arlington.
Incorporation and early downtown
Arlington incorporated in 1884. Downtown grew around the rail line, with businesses along Main and Center streets. A small agricultural college founded in 1895 would, through many name changes, become the University of Texas at Arlington.
Arlington Downs and Top O' Hill
In the 1920s and 1930s, Arlington drew regional attention with Arlington Downs, a horse-racing track, and Top O' Hill Terrace, a resort-era establishment on the city's western edge. Both reflect an early pattern of Arlington as a destination between two larger cities.
Great Southwest and Six Flags
In the late 1950s, the Great Southwest Corporation began developing a large industrial district in northeast Arlington and neighboring Grand Prairie. Six Flags Over Texas opened nearby in 1961, beginning the entertainment identity that would define the area along I-30.
University and sports growth
UTA grew into a major public research university, now enrolling more than 42,000 students. Professional baseball arrived in 1972, and decades later the stadium area grew into today's Entertainment District with AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Texas Live!.
Modern Arlington
Recent decades brought master-planned communities like Viridian in the north, continued redevelopment downtown and along major corridors, and the growth of the International Corridor along East Pioneer Parkway.
What it means for property today
Older housing and rentals cluster near downtown and the university; mid-century industrial buildings line the northeast; established single-family neighborhoods spread west and southwest; and the newest homes are in the north. Each pattern produces different kinds of cleanouts — which is why this site is organized by area.