UT Arlington librarians author new book on Arlington's colorful past
ARLINGTON - Imagine a speakeasy, with a brothel and plentiful gambling. And a horse racetrack with world-famous personalities dotting the crowd. And a bustling downtown complete with blacksmith and general store. Arlington was all of those things and more as the North Texas town explores its roots and journey to become a premier tourist destination with the latest addition – Cowboys Stadium.
The historical images provide a unique look at Arlington history and are now the focus of "Arlington." The book is co-authored by Evelyn Barker, UT Arlington information literacy librarian, and Lea Worcester, the Special Collections public services librarian. It includes more than 200 images ranging from 1870 to current day.
"The book starts with the first three businesses in Arlington and brings us forward to Cowboys Stadium," Worcester said. "The first businesses housed a blacksmith, post office and general store. The old Top O' Hill Casino and Arlington Downs racetrack attracted such famous people as billionaire aviator Howard Hughes and big band leader Jimmy Dorsey." The book also shows Arlington within the context of national history, the Great Depression and the development of the highway system.
Gerald Saxon, dean of the UT Arlington Library, said the book "Arlington" shows clearly Arlington's progression from a small town astride an important trainline in the 19th century to its current status as an entertainment, educational, and business center in the 21st century.
"Barker and Worcester have mined the historical resources in the UT Arlington Library's Special Collections to tell this story in words and photographs," Saxon said. "People interested in Arlington history will want to consult this book for a well written, brief account of the city."
“Arlington” will be available March 27 at local booksellers and through Arcadia Publishing.
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Media contact: Bridget Lewis, Blewis@uta.edu, 817-272-3317
The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu
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