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History of Arlington, Texas

Arlington, Texas grew out of the westward expansion following the wars with Native Americans on the new frontier. Trading posts were springing up along the new territories. One such post was established by Colonel Tate Johnson. This post soon became a regular stopping point on the westward trek for national politicians, stagecoaches, the mail and other travelers and ultimately came to be known as Johnson Station.

When the Texas and Pacific Railway decided to build a rail through the area, Johnson Station proved to be ideally located as a stop to serve all the smaller settlements growing around the area now known as Tarrant County named after General E.H. Tarrant who had opened up the territory for settlers. Eventually, the town fathers named the new town Arlington, in honor of the house in Virginia that General Robert E. Lee called home for 30 years. With the coming of the railroad and growth throughout the area, Arlington soon took on all the trappings of a frontier town - false front buildings, saloons and gambling. A well drilled in the center of town yielded mineral water rather than drinking water, and a fountain was erected that led to this area of town being considered the "center of town".

Arlington was incorporated in 1884, one year after its first newspaper was established. In 1895, Arlington College was established, eventually becoming a military academy and ultimately part of the University of Texas system, now the University of Texas at Arlington.

In the 1950s and 1960s the face and fortunes of Arlington would change forever with the vision of a young man who would serve as mayor for twenty-six years, Judge Tom Vandergriff. While attending the University of Southern California, Mr. Vandergriff watched Walt Disney and Disneyland take root. He was fascinated with the opportunities for Arlington and he saw Arlington's geographic location in Texas and the Metroplex as the ideal location for a similar family theme park venture. In 1961, the original Six Flags Over Texas was opened to the public and now draws over three million visitors a year and remains the biggest family theme park in the central states and the southwest.

Wet 'n Wild Water Park followed Six Flags Over Texas and was ultimately purchased by them and today operates as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, also the largest water park in the southwest.

Complimenting these family oriented theme and adventure parks is the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, a stunning tribute to the great ballparks of the past and home to the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team.

Arlington's Entertainment District has grown over the last forty years specializing in good quality, affordable, safe, family fun and great memories for over 6.5 million visitors a year. Arlington is FUN CENTRAL!