Old Town Historic District

Old Town Historic District is a residential neighborhood of roughly seven blocks on the northern edge of Arlington's original 1876 town plat and several early additions. Its frame and brick houses, most built between about 1890 and about 1950, sit on generous lots shaded by large oak trees. Building types range from L-plan and hall-parlor cottages to Craftsman and Prairie-influenced bungalows, Tudor Revival cottages and modest postwar houses. Garage apartments and outbuildings add to the setting, and the 1938 Kooken School anchors Center Street. The neighborhood grew after rail service arrived in 1876 and interurban service to Dallas and Fort Worth began in 1902, drawing merchants, professionals, farmers, salesmen and wage earners. Subdivisions such as the Fitzhugh and Collins Addition were platted to meet demand. Because suburban development after 1950 reshaped much of the city, this enclave is a rare surviving example of Arlington's early residential character, and it was recognized for its community development and architecture.