National Register Listing

South Center Street Historic District

500-600 blks of S. Center St., Arlington, TX
The South Center Street Historic District represents one of Arlington's best extant examples of an early 20thcentury, bungalow-dominated residential neighborhood. By the turn of the century, Arlington had grown from a small rural village with a population of 275 to a town of 1,079 (Texas Almanac: 133). As the population steadily increased, several residential additions or neighborhoods were developed along the northern and southern fringes of the central business district, expanding the community beyond its original townsite boundaries. The vast majority of houses constructed within these early residential additions reflected architectural plans and styles locally and nationally popular amongst the growing middle and upper-middle classes. One such middle-class residential addition was the bungalow-dominated William H. Rose Addition (1916), which lies at the heart of the South Center Street Historic District. The district encompasses the best remaining grouping of early 20th-century bungalows within Arlington. As such, it is significant under NRHP Criterion C, at a local level, in the area of Architecture. The district is significant under Criterion A, in the area of Community Planning and Development, because it represents one of the community's few remaining architecturally intact residential additions of the pre-World War II era. The South Center Street Historic District presents a high degree of coherence and integrity and, in a broad sense, stands as a rare local example of a neighborhood that has managed to maintain its identity, despite intense redevelopment of adjacent neighborhoods.
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Tarrant County, Texas, has a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. The area was initially inhabited by indigenous tribes before European exploration and settlement. In the mid-19th century, the region became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico.

Tarrant County was established in 1849 and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader during the Texas Revolution. The county experienced significant growth and development throughout the 19th century, fueled by factors such as the expansion of railroads, cattle ranching, and the discovery of oil.

During the 20th century, Tarrant County continued to flourish and adapt to changing times. It became an important hub for transportation, commerce, and industry. The county's largest city, Fort Worth, emerged as a major center for cattle trading and eventually diversified into a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

Today, Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, encompassing Fort Worth and several other cities and communities. It boasts a diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Tarrant County is also home to renowned educational institutions, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities, making it a dynamic and thriving region within the state.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Tarrant County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area was inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Wichita and Comanche, before European settlement.

  • 1849: Tarrant County was officially established and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader in the Republic of Texas.

  • 1850s: Fort Worth, the county seat, began as a military outpost on the Trinity River, providing protection for settlers and serving as a stop on the Chisholm Trail cattle drive route.

  • Late 19th Century: The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth in Fort Worth and the county. The city became a center for the cattle industry, agriculture, and trade.

  • 20th Century: Tarrant County experienced significant urbanization and diversification. Fort Worth became a major hub for the oil and gas industry, aviation, and defense with the establishment of military bases.

  • Civil Rights Era: Tarrant County, like many regions in the United States, faced challenges and changes during the civil rights movement, with efforts to achieve racial equality and social progress.

  • Modern Times: Tarrant County continues to thrive as a major economic and cultural center in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, and education.