Old Town Historic District
Why it's listed
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.
Significance in brief: The district is one of the last surviving collections of late 19th to mid-20th century residential properties in Arlington. It reflects community growth driven by rail and interurban service, and it holds good local examples of L-plan houses alongside bungalows, Tudor cottages and postwar housing. It qualifies for community development and architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00000247, listed March 23, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly bounded by Sanford, Elm, North, Prairie and Oak Sts., Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Tarrant County |
| Listed | March 23, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000247 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | c.1890-c.1950 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne; Colonial Revival; Bungalow; Art Moderne; L-plan house; No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current functions remain domestic and educational; the form notes some rehabilitation, some loss of housing near the school and church parking, and nearby automobile dealerships and apartments outside the boundary. |
| Acreage | 38 |
| Coordinates | 32.74105, -97.10162 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 00000247.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999748
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.