The Center of it All: A Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Arlington

By Jason S. Sullivan, Arlington Historical Society

As part of our Arlington 150th blog series in partnership with the Arlington Historical Society, we’re highlighting the places, people, and stories that have shaped our city over the past 150 years. This month, we’re taking a walk through Downtown Arlington and exploring some of the city's early history.

History comes alive in Downtown Arlington! There's no better way to explore an area than on foot, and this one-mile walking tour follows Center Street through the heart of the city’s past. Discover the people and places that helped shape our journey from a tiny railroad stop to a thriving city. Along the way, take a moment to read the historical markers and plaques for additional insight and watch for public art, as there is much to see.

The tour begins at the First Baptist Church of Arlington. At Center and South Streets, near the church, look for the "South Edge Original Town" sidewalk plaque. Indeed, you are standing at what was Arlington's southern edge in 1876. How amazing is that! Snap a photo and start walking north toward Levitt Pavilion.

Located at the Levitt Pavilion near Center and Abram Streets is Founders Plaza. Here, say hello to Andrew Hayter (1818–1900), the "Father of Arlington," who helped plot the original town. Arlington honors Hayter with a Texas Historical Marker and bronze bust. Nearby plaques also honor the Rose, Rankin, Cooper, Collins, Ditto, and Rogers families, who laid the foundation of modern Arlington.

Next, cross Abram Street toward the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. Pause at City Center Plaza to visit Arlington's World War II Memorial, a poignant area honoring the sacrifice of hometown heroes, including Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Neel E. Kearby. Near City Hall, a Texas Historical Marker provides an overview of our city’s history. A worthy detour is the 3rd-floor Genealogy and Local History room for a treasure trove of books, maps, and other resources.

Follow the path past the City Council Chambers to the Mineral Well Public Plaza. The fountain honors Arlington's Mineral Well, which served as a central landmark, gathering place, and early tourist attraction.  A little further is Arlington’s first stand-alone Post Office, built in 1939 and now home to the Worthington Bank, where you can admire its classic revival architecture, common for post offices of that era.

Head back toward Center Street, passing Gene Allen Park and its tribute to our Sister City, Bad Königshofen. Follow the path as it curves around the library and cross the railroad tracks. Look for the wooden train platform on the left, near the parking lot. This is my favorite part of the tour because of the sense of history it evokes.

Gazing down the railroad tracks offers a unique perspective on the city’s origins. Arlington has evolved all around us, but these iron rails remain exactly where they were placed in 1876, serving as a tangible link to our past. Nothing else in the city has remained so constant—and the tracks have been here from the very beginning. So cool when you think about it that way! You’ll find a historical marker and informative plaques nearby to learn more.

Take a short detour over to Knapp Heritage Park, a throwback to our pioneer roots and home to some of Arlington's oldest structures, including cabins from 1855 and 1863. (For more about Knapp, revisit last month's article!)

Return to Center Street and turn left toward Arlington Music Hall, a 1950 movie theater repurposed as a live music venue. I love the marquee sign's green neon at night! At the corner of Center and Division, look for the historical marker for the "Bankhead Highway". Known today as Division Street, the Bankhead Highway was once part of one of the nation's first transcontinental highways and played a large role in our growth.

Step across Center Street to Vandergriff Town Center, site of the upcoming Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show on June 6th. Admire the 'Historic Arlington' mural on the Vandergriff Building, which is one of the city's oldest commercial structures and was the home of Vandergriff Chevrolet from 1937–1966. The small fountain here is a replica of the Mineral Well.

Go north at Division Street and head to the First United Methodist Church, home to one of Arlington’s oldest congregations, established soon after the town was founded. They have a self-guided tour of their Historic Walkway if you're interested. Scan the QR Code near the church or visit this link to learn more.

Trek back to the left side of Center Street for the final stop. (Bonus: Division Street has had many names, look for the sidewalk plaques near the pawn shop to learn what they were.) Head a little further to North Street, where you'll find the sidewalk plaque for North Edge Original Town, along with the plaque for the Old Town Historic District. While our tour ends here, you might want to stroll further and explore the historic neighborhood district north of downtown, admiring the architectural styles and houses of yesteryear.

During our walking tour, we drifted back to the town's founding, even earlier at Knapp Heritage Park, walked the original town boundaries, and learned a great deal about Arlington's early days. There isn't another area of Arlington that has such a high concentration of history in such a short distance. This walk down Center Street really is the "center" of it all!

Tour Checklist:

• South Edge Original Town: Center and South Streets

• Founders Plaza: Center and Abram Streets

• World War II Memorial: City Center Plaza (between City Hall and Library)

• Mineral Well Public Plaza: W. Main Street and S. Pecan Street

• Worthington Bank (former Post Office): 200 W. Main Street

• Freight Depot Platform: Railroad tracks just north of Downtown Library

• Knapp Heritage Park: 201 W. Front Street

• Arlington Music Hall: 224 N. Center Street

• Vandergriff Building: 255 N. Center Street

• Bankhead Highway: Division Street

• First United Methodist Church: 313 N. Center Street

• North Edge Original Town & Old Town Historic District: Center and North Streets

About the Author

Jason S. Sullivan is a blogger exploring the past and present of Arlington. He has contributed several local history articles to the City of Arlington's website. As a board member, newsletter editor, and social media manager for the Arlington Historical Society, he is instrumental in sharing local history and preserving stories for future generations. In 2023, he received the Debbie Reynolds-Hazen Award, recognizing a younger individual for leadership in collecting and preserving Tarrant County's history. Visit his blog at JasonSSullivan.com.