|
Arlington,
Texas claims the name 'Fun City."
Strategically located between the giant
metropolises of Dallas
and Fort
Worth, Arlington is the region's center for
enjoyment and entertainment. Dallas considers
itself a sophisticated city, Fort Worth proudly
flaunts its Western cowpoke charm, and Arlington
is the place where families come to have fun.
Located in Tarrant
County, in north-central Texas,
Arlington began its existence as a trading post
along a stagecoach trail. When the Texas
and Pacific Railway came through, Arlington
grew into a Wild West frontier town. The
Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex
region began to flourish in the mid 1900's and
both Tarrant and Dallas
counties experienced huge population booms. Judge
Tom Vandergriff, who served as the
Arlington's mayor for twenty-six years during
the 50's and 60's, forever changed the town's
fortune with his far-seeing vision. Having
watched the construction of Disneyland
while attending college in California,
he came home to his town of 8,000 people and
recognized its ideal location and the area's
potential future growth.
By 1961, the original Six
Flags over Texas was built in Arlington, and
remains one of the largest theme parks in the
southwest, filled with some of the most
spectacular rides
in America. Today the park draws over three
million tourists per year. The Wet and Wild
Water Park came soon after, also the largest of
its kind. It is now owned and operated by Six
Flags and goes by the name of Hurricane
Harbor. In 1994, Arlington became the home
to the enormous Ameriquest
Field, honoring the all-American tradition
of baseball. This unique 270-acre complex
contains an open-air ball field that can seat
almost 50,000 fans. It also holds a baseball
museum and learning center for children, as well
as a lovely twelve-acre lake and youth playing
fields. Arlington is the home of the Texas
Rangers Baseball Team.
Thanks to the vision of an extraordinary
mayor, Arlington's population has now reached
333,000 (Census 2000 data.) Tourism is not its
only industry. Arlington produces electronic,
medical and oil field equipment, rubber and
plastic products, and has a thriving auto
industry. Located on the banks of the lovely Trinity
River, Arlington is known as the largest of
the mid-cities in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.
The University
of Texas provides students with the finest
in education. Arlington's Economic
Development Plan assures the continued
prosperity and growth of the city, providing
many incentives and tax abatements to draw more
businesses to the area.
Arlington residents enjoy more than just the
wild rides and fun of the theme parks. They have
their own symphony,
ballet, and theater
center, all offering wonderful cultural
entertainment. The Creative
Arts Theater and School is one of the oldest
operating youth theaters in the nation,
providing joy and learning for the children of
the entire Metro Area.
Arlington, Texas, the entertainment center
for the flourishing Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex
region, is a place where dreams do come true. A
prosperous, thriving city, Arlington is more
than just a place to visit. What could be a
better place to raise a happy family than 'Fun
City?'
Back to Top
|
