Arlington Center Historic District facts for kids
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Arlington Center Historic District
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Arlington Town Hall
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Arlington, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Gothic Revival, Federal |
| MPS | Arlington MRA (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000361 (original) 85002691 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1974 |
| Boundary increase | September 27, 1985 |
The Arlington Center Historic District is a special area in Arlington, Massachusetts. It's like the main downtown part of the town, where important government buildings and shops are. This district stretches along Massachusetts Avenue, which is the town's main street. It also includes older neighborhoods nearby, built in the 1800s and early 1900s.
This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
Contents
A Glimpse into Arlington's Past
Arlington Center has a long and interesting history. One of the oldest buildings here is the Jason Russell House, built around 1740. It's a reminder of what the town looked like centuries ago.
The Old Burying Ground
You can also find the Old Burying Ground on Pleasant Street. This cemetery has graves dating back to 1735. It's a quiet place that tells stories of the town's early residents.
The American Revolution
Arlington played a big role in the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, some of the fiercest fighting during the Battles of Lexington and Concord happened right here. Many people who died in that battle, from both sides, are buried in the Old Burying Ground.
How Arlington Grew
For a long time, Arlington was a small farming town. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that it started to grow much bigger.
Early Industry
Before it became a busy center, Arlington had a few mills. These mills were powered by Mill Brook, a small stream north of Massachusetts Avenue. While the original mills are gone, you can still see some of the houses where the mill workers lived on Central Street. One beautiful home from this time is the Chase Wellington House, built in 1842. It has a special style called Gothic Revival.
Modern Buildings Emerge
Most of the important buildings you see in Arlington Center today were built later. They appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Robbins Memorial Town Hall: This impressive building, designed by R. Clipston Sturgis, was finished in 1912. It's built in a style called Classical Revival.
- Robbins Memorial Library: Next to the Town Hall is the library, built in 1892. It was designed by the firm Cabot, Everett & Mead.
- Gardens: Between the Town Hall and Library are beautiful gardens. They were first designed by Sturgis and later updated in 1939 by the famous Olmsted Brothers firm.
- Central Fire Station: At the east end of the district, you'll find the unique octagonal Central Fire Station. It was built in 1926 and designed by George Ernest Robinson.
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Arlington Friends of the Drama on Academy St.
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Masonic temple on Academy St.
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Old Burying Ground on Pleasant St.
Images for kids
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Arlington Co-Operative Bank Building, entry detail
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Cyrus Dallin Art Museum in the Jefferson Cutter House
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Robbins Library - Arlington, MA
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Robbins Memorial Flagstaff by Cyrus Dallin- Base with Sculptures
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Menotomy Hunter
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