Arlington Historical Society

WELCOME TO ARLINGTON

Birthplace of the DFW Metroplex

Following the Battle of Village Creek in the spring of 1841, General Edward H. Tarrant assigned Major Jonathan Bird to build and garrison what became, in effect, the "fort before Fort Worth". Built on the north shore of a small, curvaceous oxbow lake the new settlers christened Lake Sophia, Fort Bird (Bird's Fort) became the first Anglo settlement on the North Texas frontier.

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A GATHERING PLACE

Big Dreams in a Small Town

In 1876, the Texas and Pacific Railway established a stop midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, luring residents from the nearby village of Johnson Station. As the city grew, a mineral well drilled in the exact center of downtown became part of the city's brand, serving as a meeting point for everything from prohibition to the right of women to vote.

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CONNECTING TEXAS

Becoming a Vital Geographical Hub

During his 26 years as Arlington Mayor (1951-1977), Tom Vandergriff ushered in the General Motors assembly plant and Texas Rangers baseball, saw Arlington State College become The University of Texas at Arlington, helped create the D/FW International Airport and the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike, and watched Arlington's growth explode from 7,500 people to over 120,000.

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AMERICA'S PLAYSCAPE

The Entertainment Capital of Texas

From the inauspicious beginnings of the Top O' Hill Terrace gambling casino and Arlington Downs racetrack... through failed ventures such as Seven Seas Marine Life Park... to becoming home to the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and a blockbuster selection of world-class stadiums and amusement parks... Arlington has truly earned the title of Entertainment Capital of Texas.

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POPULATION 400,000+

The Largest "Mid-City" in America

Arlington has managed to grow into a major metropolis while retaining not only touches of its former small-town charm, but even patches of that untamed wilderness General Edward H. Tarrant and Major Jonathan Bird discovered here almost two centuries ago. Our history is rich and alluring. The past is present... if you know where to look. Can we tell you a story?

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Arlington Historical Society: Connecting Past, Present, & Future

The Arlington Historical Society, originally called the Cemetery Society, was founded August 27, 1887, to promote, develop, and support the process of collecting and preserving documents, pictures, and historical information pertaining to the founding and growth of Arlington, Texas.

Today the Society remains dedicated to the preservation of local history while serving as caretaker of the historic Fielder House where we are headquartered, the Fielder Museum, the city's historic cemeteries, and the Knapp Heritage Park.

The Fielder Museum is located at 1616 W. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76013, and is open 11AM to 3PM Tuesday through Saturday and other times by appointment. Admission is $5.00 for ages 12 and over, free for children under 12... LEARN MORE

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AHS Bulletins

Celebrate Arlington's 150th Anniversary with us!

Help preserve our rich history by joining the Arlington Historical Society!

We have officially launched our 2026 Membership Drive. Celebrate Arlington’s 150th anniversary by helping us preserve the Fielder Museum, Knapp Heritage Park, and the Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds. Your support helps keep Arlington’s history alive.

BECOME A MEMBER!

As a member, you’ll receive:

—Free entry to the Fielder Museum and Knapp Heritage Park
—Invitations to special events and programs
—Our monthly newsletter and an invite to quarterly meetings
—Plus: An exclusive 2026 membership gift!

AHS Events

Date(s)	Event	Time(s)	Location
Apr 11, 2026	PIONEER DAY AT KNAPP HERITAGE PARK UTA history students host Pioneer Day at Knapp Heritage Park's historic cabins with cabin tours, butter making, cornhusk doll workshops, corn shelling, and more. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas will provide handouts, and soda, water, and snacks will be available for purchase. Admission is free.	10am - 2pm	Knapp Heritage Park 201 W. Front St. Arlington, TX 76011
Apr 18, 2026	BARACHAH CEMETERY TOUR This tour will meet at the Fielder Museum at 11am, then take a short trip to the grounds of the historic Barachah Industrial Home where Fielder Museum curator Lydia Johnson will host a tour of the cemetery. Located on UTA property, the burial ground contains approximately eighty graves of women and babies who died during the home's existence. This event is free to attend.	11am - 1pm	Fielder Museum (1616 W. Abram St.) and Berachah Cemetery (801 W. Mitchell St.)
Apr 25, 2026	ARLINGTON GARDEN CLUB 100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION The Arlington Garden Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary with exhibits, tours, a plant sale, gardening tips, and refreshments. Admission is free.	9am - Noon	Fielder Museum 1616 W. Abram St. Arlington, TX 76013
May 10, 2026	WALT WILKINS IN CONCERT: SAVE THE CABINS FUNDRAISER Texas singer-songwriter Walt Wilkins kicks off our "Save the Cabins" fundraiser, along with opening act Young Stars and Guitars. Tickets will go on sale soon—$20 each for General Admission and $30 each for VIP (closer to stage and chair provided). General Admission guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Personal coolers are welcome; alcoholic beverages permitted - BYOB. Soda, water, and snacks available for purchase.	3:30pm - 5:30pm	Knapp Heritage Park 201 W. Front St. Arlington, TX 76011
May 16, 2026	ARLINGTON HERITAGE MEMORIAL GROUNDS GUIDED TOURS The Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds will host guided tours of this unique historical cemetery. The event is free to attend.	11am - 3pm	Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds 601 W. Arkansas Ln. Arlington, TX 76010
June 14, 2026	ECHOES FROM THE HILL: A SPECIAL SHOWING Join us for a special showing of the film Echoes From the Hill, a history of our early black community, narrated by Myles Garrett. Admission is free.	2pm - 4pm	Fielder Museum 1616 W. Abram St. Arlington, TX 76013

AHS Venues

Fielder Museum

The historic Fielder Museum is home to the Arlington Historical Society and features themed exhibits and collections relating to the history and heritage of Arlington.

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Knapp Heritage Park

Knapp Heritage Park is home to three of Arlington's oldest structures and serves as a public cultural and heritage facility. The Park is available for school tours, rentals, and more.

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Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds

The Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds consists of three independently established cemeteries which serve as a monument to the history of Arlington and Tarrant County.

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Recent AHS History Articles

The Lives of Lake Sophia

If she is labeled at all on today’s maps, she is labeled Calloway Lake. Many thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, she was a mighty bend in a broader and wilder Trinity River, orphaned when...

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In Memoriam: Beloved UTA Professor, Philanthropist Allan Saxe (1939 - 2024)

Allan Saxe, a beloved University of Texas at Arlington professor and prolific philanthropist, died at age 85...

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Texas & Pacific Engine 642: Next Stop, Oblivion

The late-winter rains of 1885 had been heavy, and on March 15 rain continued to fall, putting Village Creek between Fort Worth and Arlington in a mood...

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