Historical Milestones

Arlington’s recorded history goes back over four hundred years. Scroll down to learn more about some of the historical milestones that shaped the county.

1608

John Smith

Captain John Smith travels up the Potomac River to Arlington.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/16
1719
Thomas, 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/
1790
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_Act

1790
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
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.htm

1831
1847

Alexandria County Retrocession

Alexandria County (Arlington) is retroceded to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
https://www.alexandriava.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/AAHT-3-Retrocession.pdf
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/

1861
1864

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
1870
Alexandria Separated

The City of Alexandria is separated from Alexandria County.

1870
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
1920
Alexandria County Renamed

Alexandria County is officially renamed Arlington County.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Topics/Welcome-Kit/History-of-Arlington

1920
1943

The Pentagon

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is completed.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/68
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.

1956
1974

Judith Brewers

Judith Brewer (nee Livers) becomes the first female battalion chief for Clarendon Station #4.
https://arlingtonhistorical.com/items/show/152
1976
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
1983

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/164
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

1997
2001

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
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

2006
2008

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
2023
Amazon Headquarters

Amazon opens its second headquarters in Crystal City.

2023