Arlington , Memphis Suburb Guide

A quiet rural town rich in history, Arlington, Tennessee has been called Shelby County’s best-kept secret. Just 25 miles from downtown Memphis, this town has doubled in size in the last ten years. And between the 2000 and 2010 census, the population increased almost 350 percent. According to the 2010 census, Arlington was the second fastest growing community in Tennessee. As of 2013, the population was 12,090 in Arlington.

The median household income in Arlington is $93,644, well below Tennessee’s median of $44,297, and around 44 percent of the population have a Bachelor’s degree, which is much higher than the average in Tennessee. 87.3 percent of the households in Arlington are family households, and the median age 30.9 years compared to Tennessee’s median age of 38.5 years. This hidden gem is a small town with a lot to offer residents who want to be able to see the stars and hear the birds but still have easy access to the largest city in Tennessee. 

History of Arlington

Source:upload.wikimedia.org

Settlers first came to the area in the 1830s, and many of their descendants still live in town. This area was originally known as Haysville, after Arlington’s original landowner Samuel Jackson Hays. Hays was one of President Andrew Jackson’s nephews. The Memphis and Ohio railroad spurred growth in the area, with the creation of the Withe Depot. The post office was unable to use the name Haysville, so the town became Arlington in 1883. The name is believed to have come from Captain Henry Pitman, who visited Washington, D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery and thought it was the most beautiful place on the planet. With a population of just over 600 at the end of 1900, the town of Arlington received its charter from the State of Tennessee.

What now makes up the town's Historic Depot Square was full of shops and amenities by the end of the 19th Century, including a post office, physician, general stores, a blacksmith, cotton gin, lumber store, a meat market, a druggist, and an undertaker. Many of these buildings still stand today, along with many other historical landmarks.

• Rachel H.K. Burrow Museum - This one-room building was originally built as a bank in 1905. It was also used as Arlington’s library. Today, it houses a collection of local memorabilia and historical items, and is listed on the National Register for Historical Places.
• S.Y. Wilson & Company - This antique shop just closed their doors last year, but the building still stands. Founded in 1893, “Wilson’s Store” was once the center of Arlington’s commercial district. 
• Blacksmith Shop - If you’re looking for a great dose of history, head here. This shop in the heart of Depot Square is an actual working blacksmith shop, with a brick forge and a bellows from the 1800s. It’s one of the few working blacksmith shops in the U.S.
• Historic Post Office - The post office was built in 1900 and now operates as a museum of postal items and a display honoring Veterans. This building is also listed on the National Register for Historical Places.
• Senior Citizens Center - This building is a replica of the original Withe Depot station from the late 1800s. It opened in 2003.

The post office, museum, blacksmith shop, plus a log cabin, and the Holy Innocence Cemetery are all protected by The Preservation of the Tennessee Antiquities.

Shopping and Restaurants

Source:upload.wikimedia.org

Depot Square offers interesting and beautiful historic landmarks, but there’s also plenty of shopping, especially for a small town like this one. Residents love Vinegar Jim’s, the oldest restaurant in Arlington. “VJ’s,” as it’s known was built from Poplar trees milled from the property as well as salvaged wood from 19th Century homes and warehouses from the Pinch district in Memphis. Off the Hoof Burgers is great for the carnivores, and The Grapevine is a nice tea and sandwiches spot. 

Classic Trends, Ce’leste, and Sassafras Designs are great gift and accessories shops that locals love, and A Touch of Nostalgia, an antique shop, is another favorite. The Paisley Rooster is a women’s clothing boutique with locations in Arlington and in Collierville. There is also a dance studio, an animal clinic, barbershop, and salon in the area.

For kids, there’s The Happy Heart, a children’s clothing store and LEGO toy store Bricks & Minifigs just down Highway 64.

Every April, the town gathers for Arlington in April in Depot Square, with food, live music, blacksmith demonstrations, and children’s activities. Other community events include the annual Christmas parade, Veteran’s and Memorial Day celebrations, and the Harvest Gathering.

And if you’re looking for a bit more action, Memphis is a short drive away, with plenty of arts, entertainment, and food to keep things interesting.

Jobs 

Source:flickr.com

The most common industries in Arlington are manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, public administration, and retail. Only 14 percent of the population both live and work in this suburb. Many work in Memphis or Collierville. It’s an easy commute to the cities of Bartlett and Lakeland, as well.

Arlington’s geographic location makes it a great place for people who might have to travel to Nashville, as well. The town is closer to Music City than any other place in Shelby County, just 186.7 miles east on Interstate 40.

Business is growing in Arlington itself, with the historic Depot Square area and the developing corridors of Highway 64, Paul Barrett Parkway, Highway 64, and Airline Road. As the town grows, it is important to town officials to maintain the small town charm of Arlington, and they look for public input on new commercial, industrial, and residential developments. 

Arlington: A Small Town Close to the Action

Arlington is in a convenient location, close to all Memphis and Shelby County have to offer. But you don't have to leave town to go shopping or have a nice night out unless you want to. If you're looking for a peaceful place with small town charm and big town proximity, Arlington might be the place for you.