Did you know, on January 22, 1877, Arlington was officially recognized by the U.S. Postal Service? An 1876 plat for the original town site shows five east-west streets and seven north-south streets within a half-mile square. Center Street, the old military road to Bird's Fort, formed the north-south axis.

This area was well-watered by several tributaries of the Trinity River, including many natural springs, which made the town good for farming. Farmers grew hay, oats, corn, peanuts, potatoes and cotton. Arlington had as many as five cotton gins.

The town was a distribution center for the sales and shipment of produce to other towns. In the late 1800s, location, access to the railroad, and a means for a thriving local economy made Arlington suited for growth and prosperity.”