National Register Listings in
Arlington County, Virginia

Al's Motors Arlington Forest Historic District Arlington Heights Historic District Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Arlington National Cemetery Historic District Arlington Ridge Park Arlington Village Historic District Ashton Heights Historic District Aurora Highlands Historic District Ball-Sellers House Barcroft Community House Benjamin Banneker: SW 9 Intermediate Boundary Stone Buckingham Historic District Buckingham Historic District (Boundary Increase) Buckingham Historic District Boundary Increase Calvert Manor Carlin Hall Cherrydale Historic District Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House Claremont Historic District Clarendon School Colonial Village Columbia Forest Historic District Crossman, George, House Dominion Hills Historic District Drew, Charles Richard, House Fairlington Historic District Fort C. F. Smith Historic District Fort Myer Historic District Georgetown Pike Glebe Apartments Glebe Center Glebe, The Glebewood Village Historic District Glencarlyn Historic District Gray, Harry W., House Highland Park-Overlee Knolls Hume School Lee Gardens North Historic District Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Lyon Park Historic District Lyon Village Historic District Maywood Historic District Monroe Courts Historic District Northwest No. 1 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Northwest No. 2 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Penrose Historic District Pentagon Office Building Complex Quarters 1, Fort Myer Saegmuller House Southwest No. 4 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Southwest No. 5 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Southwest No. 6 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Southwest No. 7 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Southwest No. 8 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia Stratford Junior High School Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington US Post Office-Arlington Virginia Heights Historic District Walter Reed Gardens Historic District Washington National Airport Terminal and South Hangar Line Waverly Hills Historic District West Cornerstone Westover Historic District Windsor Apartments Winslow, Earle Micajah, House
In 1619, the Virginia House of Burgesses became the first representative assembly in the Americas. It was the beginning of a tradition of representative government that would later influence the creation of the United States government.
Virginia random facts
Arlington County, VA has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Powhatan and the Chesapeake peoples, who lived along the banks of the Potomac River. European exploration of the region began in the early 17th century, with Captain John Smith and others making contact with the local tribes.

In 1801, the federal government acquired land along the Potomac River to establish the District of Columbia, including what is now Arlington County. However, in 1846, the portion of the land on the Virginia side of the river was retroceded back to Virginia due to political tensions between the southern states and the federal government.

During the American Civil War, Arlington County played a significant role. The area was turned into a military encampment and eventually became the site of Arlington National Cemetery, where Union soldiers were buried. After the war, the land was returned to its original owner, George Washington Custis Lee, the grandson of George Washington. In 1871, the government purchased the land from Lee's family, and the cemetery continued to grow.

In the 20th century, Arlington County experienced rapid suburbanization and urban development. The construction of the Pentagon in the 1940s and the expansion of federal agencies led to an influx of residents and increased economic activity. Today, Arlington County is known for its vibrant communities, bustling urban centers, and close proximity to Washington, D.C. It is also home to numerous landmarks, including the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Marine Corps War Memorial.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Arlington County, Virginia.

  • 1600: Native American tribes, including the Doeg and Nacotchtank, live in the area now known as Arlington County.
  • 1634: English settlers establish a trading post near present-day Rosslyn.
  • 1801: The United States purchases the land that will eventually become Arlington County as part of the District of Columbia.
  • 1846: The portion of the District of Columbia west of the Potomac River is returned to Virginia due to legislation passed by Congress.
  • 1861: The American Civil War begins.
  • 1864: Arlington House, belonging to General Robert E. Lee, is seized by the Union Army and becomes the site of Arlington National Cemetery.
  • 1920: The name of the county is changed from Alexandria County to Arlington County.
  • 1954: Integration of public schools in Arlington County takes place following the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.
  • 1970s: Arlington County experiences significant growth in population and urban development.
  • 2001: The Pentagon is damaged during the September 11 terrorist attacks.