Learn about Arlington history

Sites and properties

The Arlington Historical Society owns two properties: the Arlington Historical Museum and the Ball-Sellers House.

This site also has a list of the historic markers, districts, and properties in the county.

Walking tour

Kevin Vincent has prepared a walking tour of George Washington’s holdings in Arlington. (You can also ride your bike.)

Snapshots of history

Here you'll find several articles that can help you get started in learning about Arlington history.

The “Arlington connection”: how did Arlington get its name?

 

A military history of Army-Navy Drive
 

Civil War events in Arlington

 

The Library of Congress' American Memory project has several maps of Arlington:
 

Plan of the city of Washington and territory of Columbia
Includes illustrations of the Capitols at Richmond and Washington.

District of Columbia
Shows major streets and buildings. Indexed for points of interest.

Detailed map of part of Virginia from Alexandria to the Potomac River above Washington, D.C. 186-
Shows parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties, part of the defenses of Washington, roads, railroads, towns, vegetation, houses, fences, names of residents, and drainage.

The USS Arlington was named in honor of our county. Visit her site to read all about it.

Historic Arlington

Originally published as a booklet by the Arlington County Bicentennial Task Force in recognition of 200 years of community.

Foreword

CHAPTERS

1. Native Americans of the area
2. Early settlement
3. Alexandria County, District of Columbia
4. The Arlington estate
5. The Arlington line
6. Suburban Alexandria County
7. Arlington County in transition
8. Urban Arlington County
9. Preserving Arlington’s heritage

Arlington Historical Society Magazine

List of AHS Magazine article authors

Links to local resources

Arlington history • Arlington attractions • What's going on?
• Community resources • Neighborhoods • County government
• In the news • Regional attractions