Uncategorized Archives - Arlington Historical Society

On this day in Arlington history: Nov 14, 1917, protesters for a woman’s right to vote including future Arlingtonians, Gertrude Crocker & her sister Ruth, underwent a horrifying night of torture that would become known as the “Night of Terror.”

Sara Collins

November 13, 2024

On this day in Arlington history, November 13, 1929, Sara Collins was born in Detroit. She became a librarian, graduating from Catholic University with a Masters of Library Science in 1966. She enjoyed a long and illustrious career at the Arlington County Public Library where she established the Arlington Community Archives in what was then the Virginia Room—now called the Charlie Clark Center for Local history.

Central Station House

November 10, 2024

On this day in Arlington history: Nov 10, 1919: The cornerstone for the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department's "Central Station House" was laid with elaborate ceremony. The 2most important speakers that day were State Senator Ralph Walton Moore, and Commonwealth Attorney Crandall Mackey who has been called the "Father of the County Fire Department."

Unknown Soldier

November 9, 2024

On this day in Arlington history, November 9, 1921 An unknown American soldier killed in Europe in World War I is returned to the United States on the USS Olympia. He will become the first Unknown Soldier to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Milton Isiah Rowe, Sr.

November 7, 2024

On this day in Arlington history, November 7, 1925, Milton Isiah Rowe, Sr. was born in Washington, DC. Raised in Arlington, he served in the US Coast Guard on the USS Pocatello during World War II and returned to work for the US Army at the Pentagon for 37 years. After retiring from that career, he became a butler for some of the DC area’s more renowned residents.

Robert “RD” Davis Ruffin

November 4, 2024

On this day in Arlington history: Nov 4, 1873, Robert “RD” Davis Ruffin was elected to be the Alexandria (now Arlington) County sheriff. He became the 1st African-American to take the oath as sheriff in Virginia. Ruffin also was a lawyer and member of the House of Delegates (1875–1876) & achieved financial success in real estate.

Share Your Underground Stories

November 2, 2024

Eddie Butler

October 31, 2024

On this day in Arlington history, October 31, 1934, the Washington Evening Star reported that a Witch would be riding through the sky with a broomstick and would land at Washington Airport in Arlington.

The “War of the Worlds”

October 30, 2024

On this day in Arlington history, October 30, 1938, Arlington and the DC region and indeed much of the east coast were still reacting to Orson Wells’ “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast from the previous evening. Most people who were within radio range of the New York City Broadcast were still not sure if aliens had invaded a small town in New Jersey.

Holiday Wreath Sale

Gertrude & Ruth