1608
John Smith
Captain John Smith travels up the Potomac River to Arlington.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/16Thomas, Lord Fairfax
Thomas, the 6th Lord Fairfax inherits the land of the Northern Neck Proprietary which included Arlington. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/lord-fairfax
1719
1750
Ball-Sellers House
Farmer John Ball builds the Ball-Sellers House, which is currently the oldest structure in Arlington.
https://arlhist.org/ball-sellers-house/Residence Act
Congress approves a 100-square-mile area of land, including portions of present-day Arlington, to be used as the capital of the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residence_Act1790
1797
Chain Bridge
The first bridge to cross the Potomac River in this vicinity was built near Little Falls, as part of a road connecting Georgetown and Virginia farms. After being destroyed twice by floods, it was replaced by a higher suspension bridge, popularly known as the “Chain Bridge.”District of Columbia
February 27, 1801: Congress formally placed the District of Columbia under the control of the United States Congress through the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801. This act organized the territory into two counties: Washington County to the north and east of the Potomac River, and Alexandria County to the west and south. The existing charters of Georgetown and Alexandria were left in place.1801
1802
George Washington Parke Custis
George Washington Parke Custis, step-grandson of President George Washington, names his estate “Arlington.” https://www.nps.gov/arho/learn/historyculture/george-custis.htm
Saving the Declaration of Independence
Anticipating a British attack on Washington during the War of 1812, Secretary of State James Monroe orders the evacuation of the Declaration of Independence and other key documents from the capital city. The documents are temporarily hidden in linen bags, in the grist mill at Pimmit Run.1814
1831
Robert E. Lee
Mary Anna Randolph Custis marries Robert E. Lee and they live on the Arlington estate.
https://www.nps.gov/arho/index.htmAlexandria County Retrocession
Alexandria County (Arlington) is retroceded to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
https://www.alexandriava.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/AAHT-3-Retrocession.pdf1847
1861
Virginia Secession Convention
Virginia holds a vote on secession from the Union. Despite this, Arlington remains under Union control for most of the Civil War. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/virginia-convention-of-1861/
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is created on the former location of Lee’s Arlington estate. The cemetery is the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of veterans and fallen military from every war that the United States fought. https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/History-of-Arlington-National-Cemetery
1864
1870
Alexandria Separated
The City of Alexandria is separated from Alexandria County.
Crandall Mackey
Screenshot
Commonwealth’s Attorney Crandall Mackey leads a series of raids to “clean up” Rosslyn and rid the area of its illegal speakeasies, gambling halls, and brothels.
1904
1918
Spanish Flu
The Spanish Flu pandemic hits Arlington. Due to a lack of sanitation, the disease became the worst pandemic in American history. https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/192
Alexandria County Renamed
Alexandria County is officially renamed Arlington County.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Topics/Welcome-Kit/History-of-Arlington1920
1920
Dr. Charles Drew
African-American physician Charles Drew and his family moved to 2505 First St. South in Arlington. His pioneering research in the field of blood transfusions eventually led to the creation of the American Red Cross Blood Bank.Washington-Lee High School
Washington-Lee High School opens with roughly 600 students. Today, it is known as Washington-Liberty, and its student population exceeds 2,200.1925
1933
Arlington Hospital
Five women’s clubs launch the community service project that will grow to become Arlington Hospital (now Virginia Hospital Center). A 100-bed facility is completed 11 years later.Colonial Village
Construction begins on Colonial Village, one of the nation’s first garden-apartment complexes and the first large-scale rental project approved by the Federal Housing Administration for mortgage insurance.1935
1943
The Pentagon
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is completed.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/68Parkington Shopping Center
A woman poses for a photo with a car in front of Hecht’s in Parkington.
Builders break ground on the Parkington Shopping Center (now Ballston Common Mall). Anchored by a Hecht Co., the retail center stands as the first mall in the nation to boast an attached parking garage.
1950
1956
AHS Founded
The Arlington Historical Society is founded. The organization mounted a successful campaign to save the Hume School and use it for a local museum.
Stratford Junior High School De-Segregation
Stratford Junior High becomes the first school in Arlington County to integrate its student body.1959
1960
Drug Store Sit-ins
African-American student Dion Diamond is confronted during a sit-in at the Cherrydale Drug Fair.Judith Brewers
Judith Brewer (nee Livers) becomes the first female battalion chief for Clarendon Station #4.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/152
1974
1975
Little Saigon
Vietnamese immigrants open grocery stores and restaurants in Clarendon, earning it the nickname “Little Saigon.”WMATA Metro
WMATA opens the Metro system with multiple stops in Arlington despite protests from locals over the construction of I-66. https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/238
1976
1981
Marine Marathon
The first Marine Corps Marathon kicks off at the Iwo Jima Memorial.Air Florida Flight 90 Crash
Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into the 14th Street Bridge. Icy conditions and inexperience were among the factors that resulted in the tragic accident. Out of the seventy-four passengers and five crew members on board, only four passengers and one crew member survived.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/1641983
1997
Jay Fisette
Jay Fisette wins a seat on the Arlington County Board becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to office in Virginia. https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/158
9/11 attacks
A plane crashes into the side of the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks on 9/11. https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/108
2001
2002
Shooting Rampage
Snipers John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo terrorize the D.C. area in a shooting rampage that leaves 10 people dead and three critically injured. Arlington resident Linda Franklin, an FBI analyst, is among the victims.Arlington Population Reaches 200,000
Arlington County’s population hits 200,000.2005
2006
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Keller Capitals Iceplex, now MedStar Capitals Iceplex, opens in Ballston. It is the only Washington professional sports team facility in Arlington as well as the highest ice rink above street level in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MedStar_Capitals
First Latina School Board Member
Winning election to the School Board in 2008 made Dr. Violand-Sánchez the first Latina to serve in local elected office in Arlington. https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/207
2008
2010
Snowmageddon
The blizzard known as “Snowmageddon” blankets Arlington County in nearly 18 inches of snow. Virginia Hospital Center sees a 10 percent increase in its birth rate nine months later.Amazon Headquarters
Amazon opens its second headquarters in Crystal City.
2023
