Then & Now: An Arlington Timeline
THEN & NOW: AN ARLINGTON TIMELINE
Created by Nilou Moochhala
Curated by Cecily Miller
Click on a map to view exact locations
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- East Arlington
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- Arlington Center
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- Arlington Heights
Flow 
14K years ago
Formed during the Pleistocene period when the last ice sheet that covered the Northeast melted, the name “Mystic” comes from the term “Missi-Tuk,” which means “great tidal river.” The Mystic connects to Boston Harbor and each spring it fills with herring swimming upstream to spawn; the Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Pawtucket people harvested fish seasonally. As surrounding areas became more populated with European settlement, humans began to change the river–damming it in three locations, filling in wetlands in multiple areas, and polluting its waters through industrial discharge. Over four centuries, this damaged the health, flow, and cleanliness of the river ecology.
1972
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is deeply connected to the 21 communities it serves in the watershed, which includes Arlington. It is focused on protecting our water, restoring important habitat, building climate resilience, and transforming parks and paths. It works to inspire youth and community members to participate in clean-ups and herring monitoring as well as to enjoy the river’s beauty. Each spring, more than 1/2 million river herring migrate from the ocean up to the Mystic Lakes and beyond. The success of MRWA’s restoration and protection efforts is seen in the shift in the herring count from 198,000 (2012) to 640,000 (2024).
Grow 
19th C.
Market gardening – the raising of fresh produce for consumption in the region – operated in numerous farms across Arlington. Fruits and vegetables grown in glass hothouses were typically the first to the Boston market each year. The greenhouses of Warren W. Rawson were the site of development of new and improved varieties of seeds, some of which proudly bore the Arlington name. Celery was arguably the most famous crop in Arlington for many years. Arlington’s farms rapidly gave way to suburban development in the 20th century, with the Crosby Farm on Mystic Street being the last major market garden operation until its closing in 1957.
2017
Home Harvest was founded by Ben Barkan – with just a bicycle and shovel in 2008! Born and raised in Arlington, Ben’s mission is to “transform outdoor spaces into vibrant, regenerative ecosystems that are both beautiful and productive.” Tucked quietly behind the MWRA pumping station on state-owned land, the Arlington Community Orchard was created by Ben in 2017, with numerous donated fruit trees, berries, flowers, herbs, and other plants – all tended by volunteers and available for any resident to enjoy.
Feed 
19th c.
In the 18th century, most people grew their own food; by the 19th century, they increasingly purchased it at thriving local stores. James O. Holt stands in front of his Pleasant Street Market. He had risen from store clerk to become the owner of two contiguous groceries (located where the 1935 wing and later drive-through entrance to the Cambridge Savings Bank stands today). Other well-known stores in the center included Thomas Russell’s, Philip Fessenden’s, and John Pattee’s. When Arlington Heights was developed in the 1870s as a “village” within Arlington, the neighborhood was served by its own stores, such as the the Boston Branch Grocery.
2014
Arlington EATS (“neighbors serving neighbors”) is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity by providing nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a dignified and compassionate manner. Arlington EATS Market – a food pantry open to all Arlington residents – offers staple pantry items as well as fresh produce, dairy and meat. They also provide snacks in the Arlington Public Schools to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to learning. In 2023, Arlington EATS took over management of the Arlington Farmers’ Market.
Gather 
1775
Commemorated by a marker near the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Tufts Street, the Black Horse Tavern was the location where The Committee of Safety, a group of colonials that resisted British rule, met on the night of April 18, 1775. It is reported that on the evening the British troops marched to Concord, several members of the committee who slept in the tavern awoke to British soldiers knocking on the door wanting to search the building. They escaped and eluded their pursuers by hiding in a cornfield behind the tavern.
2023
Since 2023, Arlington Brewing Company’s mission is “to spread joy in our community by serving memorable experiences focused on craft beer – and authentic human connections” – using ingredients from all over the world, including hops grown right here in Arlington. The quick growth of our town’s own brewery reflects Arlington’s support of independent businesses, along with our enjoyment of the tradition – more than 250 years old – of meeting over a beer! The company has created the Menotomator specifically for the commemoration of the 250th. According to the label, it is “a rich, bold, dark lager brewed to celebrate the brave souls who answered the call of liberty on the first day of the American Revolution!” Many places in Arlington serve up Arlington Brewing Company’s local craft beer, including the Heights Pub and Town Tavern, who put a contemporary spin on the historic tavern.
Power 
1858
This 1858 illustration depicts the Addison Gage Company’s ice cutters at work on Spy Pond. A branch of the Fitchburg main line that was known as the “ice railroad”– and later the Arlington and Lexington branch line – carried the harvested ice, packed in sawdust, to the docks at Charlestown for shipment around the world. Gage initially worked for other firms, but eventually went into business with his son, Charles. Together they shipped ice near and far – to the vendors at Boston’s Faneuil Market, as well as a multitude of destinations in the southern hemisphere and beyond. Arlington’s Spy Pond was reputed to yield of up to 60,000 tons in a good season, and the icehouses stored a year’s supply in advance!
2007
Rowing is an extremely demanding sport. “I feel incredibly honored to be coaching a team full of loving and tenacious girls – I see this team going wherever they want to go! One of my favorite parts of coaching is helping them learn to feel STRONG in their bodies. The goal is to be physically and mentally healthy, solid, and gritty. Take up your space!” says A/B Crew Varsity Girls Coach Lars Babbott. Crew requires more than strength. Rowers have to be expertly agile to get the near-perfect stroke. Just like the workers who once sawed through ice bricks a century or more ago, the young women in this team can harness the power of the water (and themselves) to win!
Create 
1913
The Arlington Pageant was by created Vittoria Dallin to commemorate the dedication of the Robbins Memorial Town Hall (June 1913). Attended by thousands, this large-scale celebration of 600 Arlingtonians (representing 45 clubs) took place in the Upper Mystic Lake. Elaborately costumed, the pageant members enacted apocryphal and true stories from town history through the centuries. Vittoria (wife of famed sculptor Cyrus Dallin) was an influential cultural force in her own right. She and Cyrus lived in Arlington Heights, a neighborhood which had attracted many other new residents of artistic and literary accomplishment. Vittoria published books and poems, raised three sons, and vigorously participated in civic life, spearheading construction of the Heights branch library (that today is home to ACMi).
2015
Cecily Miller started her engagement as Public Art Curator in Arlington with Storefront Stories, which enlisted artists in creating portraits of Capitol Square’s local business owners in large-scale wheatpaste murals. Some favorite initiatives include: a vibrant knitted installation on the Bikeway, transformed bus shelters, community-sourced haiku installations, the Fox Festival, a participatory sculpture project calling out single-use plastic, an intergenerational mosaic at Drake Village, and Climate Futures – which gave 12 high school interns a way to fight the climate crisis. “All of these projects involved collaboration with wonderful partners and were led by amazing artists,” she explains. “Over the past decade, it’s been privilege to draw on the power of art to connect people, build community, engage participation, and encourage self-expression.” Cecily is inspired by the issues that matter to Arlington, especially the environment and social justice. “I want to celebrate the best of Arlington and make it visible through these projects.” Aside from six permanent wall murals, most projects have been temporary – allowing for nimbleness and artistic freedom.
Ride 
1859
For more than 200 years, there has been an evolution in the way locals traveled to and from Arlington to Cambridge/Boston and beyond. In the mid 1830s, stagecoaches would pass through town bringing mail and passengers. In 1846, the first steam railroad train launched into service (where the Minuteman Bikeway now traverses the town). This steam train was complemented by the West Cambridge Horse Railroad Company in 1859. Initially horse drawn, it was electrified in 1889. It ran all the way to Bowdoin Street in Boston from 6am–11pm; around the turn of the century there were 19 daily roundtrips through Arlington. The last ride was in 1955, but most of this public transportation route survives as the MBTA Bus #77 today.
1992
The pioneering Minuteman Bikeway is one of the most popular and successful rail trails in the US. It has become a new type of “Main Street” where neighbors and strangers alike come together while riding, walking, or skating on the path. In the 1970s, Arlington, Lexington and Bedford began working together to explore the unique opportunity to transform the abandoned tracks of the Bedford Branch corridor into a commuting bikeway. The first step was a feasibility study, but it took years of dogged work to turn their innovative vision into reality. “One word to describe the bikeway? Connection!” says Alan McClennen, Jr, the Director of Planning and Community Development at the time. “And it has provided a healthy lifestyle to many users….We had no way of knowing the future level of use but one day after it opened [in 1992] we knew we had a winner. I think that the Minuteman has put Arlington on the map. It has made a great difference in the character of the town.”
Build 
1874
This 1874 building was the first brick commercial block in Arlington. In some ways, it symbolized the towns’ emergence from rural community to Victorian suburb. It housed the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank at the ground level. This image shows it draped in patriotic bunting for the 1907 centennial celebration of the town’s incorporation as the independent municipality of West Cambridge. (It was renamed Arlington in 1867 in honor of Civil War heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery.) The historic building was demolished in 1955 to make way for the present structure, home to Cambridge Savings Bank since 1991.
1916
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors and 290+ dues paying members. The diverse membership includes a variety of brick-and-mortar businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, community organizations, and gig economy professionals. It aims to create a collaborative environment among businesses, community, and government within the Town of Arlington. The Chamber is dedicated to fostering a strong economic climate and advancing the desirability of Arlington as a place to shop, work, live, and visit.
Serve 
1775
On April 19, 1775, Samuel Whittemore, an 80-year old farmer and decorated veteran of the French & Indian War, armed himself with a musket, two pistols, and a sword when he heard that the British troops were approaching Menotomy on their retreat from Concord. Despite his daughter’s plea that he retreat to a safe place, he fought bravely. He shot and killed a number of royal soldiers. Their comrades retaliated. Despite being bayoneted 13 times, shot in the face, and beaten with muskets, he survived and lived another 18 years till the ripe age of 98, and to see his country free!
1965
Arlington resident Mike Alogna recalls of his time in the U.S. Navy: “In 1965, I was leader of the Advance Landing (special operations) party to prepare the landing zone beaches for the first U.S. Marine arrivals in Vietnam. I subsequently volunteered to return to Vietnam in 1966 as skipper of Swift Boat Patrol Craft Fast (PCF51), and was Team Leader of an 8 Swift Boats Patrol Team, as well as Battle Readiness Team (for all Swifts in-country). When my first tour was up, I volunteered for a second time and returned home in late 1967.” Swift boats patrolled the muddy inland jungle waterways of the Mekong Delta, and the seas off the coast of South Vietnam. The boats were 50ft all-aluminum, heavily armed – but with no real armor themselves – which made them vulnerable to ambushes. While they able to successfully navigate the offshore seas, they were not designed for weathering severe challenges such as monsoons and tropical storms. On his return to the US, Mike eventually settled in Arlington and worked in the Cambridge/Boston area. He continues his service today as the commander of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) POST 1775 in Arlington, where those who have served in foreign wars can connect with each other.
Home 
1885
This utilitarian wood frame block of row houses was built c.1885 by Warren Rawson, the leading market gardener and seedsman in Arlington, to house his workers. It is one of the few surviving multi-unit buildings of its kind. The structure consists of seven virtually identical units, each with simply decorated doors and windows and a dormer with a gable. Rawson employed up to 65 farm workers, and his land extended from Warren Street to the Mystic River, with other acreage behind his home on Medford Street.
1948
The Arlington Housing Authority operates several housing assistance programs which provide direct rental apartments in government-owned developments or subsidized rentals in privately-owned buildings. Their programs provide stable shelter for low- and very low-income people, including those with disabilities. AHA’s mission is to provide clean, safe and affordable housing to people in need through collaborative partnerships with community agencies – while managing AHA finances in a responsible manner. Their portfolio includes senior housing units located at Drake Village, Winslow Towers and other developments; family units at Menotomy Manor; and the use of Housing Choice Vouchers for other available rentals.
Equal 
1775
David Lamson was an early Arlington hero of color during the Revolutionary War. On April 19, 1775, British military supply wagons fell behind the troops rapidly marching through Menotomy. The “Old Men of Menotomy” – many of them veterans now exempt from militia service – saw an opportunity to support the rebel cause. According to nineteenth-century chronicler Samuel Abbot Smith, they “met at once in Cooper’s tavern…to form some plan of capturing” the wagons. They chose Lamson, known for his skills and courage, to lead them. Their successful ambush was one of the first victories by the colonists on that day, and Lamson went on to serve in other battles.
1989
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee was established in 1989 by the Arlington Interfaith Association and representatives from four local civic groups. The committee is dedicated to upholding the values and legacy of the civil rights leader through its annual MLK celebration in January. Pearl Morrison – educator, community advocate, and deaconess of her church – is one of the Arlington residents who was involved in this endeavor; she is the only remaining founding member (on the committee) and served several times as its Chair. Still an active leader in her 80s, Pearl states: “…it was my destiny to take care of things.” She has also served as Chair for the African American Society of Arlington, and the Arlington Civil Rights Committee; among her many other commitments and contributions in Arlington and beyond.
Read 
1835
Robbins Library has its roots in the old West Cambridge Juvenile Library, founded through a bequest of $100 from Dr. Ebenezer Learned, of Hopkinton, N.H. According to legend, a collection of books was transported in a wheelbarrow by the newly hired librarian, Mr. Jonathan Dexter – and the first continuously operating children’s library in the United States was born! An indoor library space followed, but during the next twenty years its popularity and rapid growth saw the the library move to six different locations in Arlington Center.
1892
In 1892, a gift of $150,000 from Maria C. Robbins (in honor of her husband, Eli) enabled construction of an elegant new public library. Today, the Robbins Memorial Library is a treasured multi-faceted space that offers residents of all ages a place to read, research, and attend events ranging from toddler sing-a-longs to teen pride prom to family game nights to digital book and movie downloads. The Library is a trusted resource that empowers community members of all ages to learn, thrive, and create a vibrant Arlington.
Invent 
1797
Amos Whittemore held an important patent on a machine to mass-produce the cards used for straightening the fibers of cotton and wool before they could be spun into yarn. His invention spurred widespread development of carding mills, one of the first steps in the region’s industrial revolution of textile production. This new technology made both the Whittemore family and West Cambridge (as Arlington was called then) prosperous. By 1801, the factory provided jobs for “forty persons, male and female,” to work 23 machines. When the company relocated to New York, a huge boost to the economy was lost, causing a local depression.
2015
“Project Sunroof maps the planet’s solar energy potential, one rooftop at a time.” Initiated by Arlington’s Carl E. as a 20% Google project, it uses a unique set of Google Maps and Google Earth data to assess how much sunlight every roof receives, analyzing the orientation, shade from trees and nearby buildings, and local weather patterns. Essentially it creates a solar score for every rooftop, calculating the cost/benefits of potential solar electricity. It can provide policy makers, communities and individuals with information to help make smarter decisions in the transition to cleaner power sources. It has mapped half a billion buildings so far, with another billion expected, across the globe!
Rights 
1639
Sq***Sachem (translated into Lady Chief) of the Massachusett Tribe stewarded a large portion of land, including present-day Arlington. Her territory extended from Charlestown west to Concord and north to Marblehead. She ruled over the Massachusett Federation of Tribes, and rose to prominence as the most important Massachusett leader of her era. In 1639, she signed an agreement selling most of that land “…unto the inhabitants of the Towne of Charlestown” but reserving land near Mystic Lakes for farming and fishing during her lifetime. It is thought that she marked this transfer with the symbol of a bow and arrow.
“Today, we acknowledge that the Town of Arlington is located on the ancestral lands of the Massachusett Tribe, the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth have taken their names. We pay our respects to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historic Massachusett territories today.”
(*We recognize that the use of the word “squaw” is outdated and offensive to many indigenous people in North America)
1993
Three central themes of the AHRC’s mission are: to work collaboratively with other Arlington community groups to celebrate the ever-changing makeup of our Town; to emphasize through educational outreach the dangers of intolerance; and to encourage and bring about mutual understanding and respect among all people within the Town. AHRC focuses on eliminating prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, unlawful discrimination, threats, coercion, and intimidation on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religious views, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, citizenship, age, ancestry, family/marital status, sexual orientation, disability, source of income, and military status.
Hear 
1923
The highlight of Arlington Public School’s music program in 1923 was the “Music Memory Contest.” This program booklet contained poems, prose, compositions, and illustrations composed by public school students in Grades 4 through Grades 9. Their work was inspired by 30 pieces of classical music that the students had been studying – in historical context – throughout the school year. They ranged from Scheherazade to Finlandia to Beethoven!
2016
“Every Porchfest has its own kind of magic” according to Bruce Hoppe, the co-founder of the Arlington version of this national event. For the last decade, Arlington Center for the Arts (ACA) has presented Arlington Porchfest, which connects the community with music in a day-long celebration. It’s a grassroots effort; bands volunteer to play on Arlington residents’ front porches across town. Attendees walk, bike or drive around to enjoy the free outdoor music and dancing, with over 2oo+ performances on 100+ porches!
Enrich 
1896
“The time had come when Arlington women should take their rightful place in this municipal idea.” The Arlington Women’s Club was organized on May 30,1896, and had a membership of 249 women in its first year! It focused on civic affairs, art, music, theater, and more. It met monthly to hear lectures by such luminaries as Julia Ward Howe and Booker T. Washington; sold bond stamps to support WWI; originated the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus; formed the Girls Scouts Council; and made many other contributions to the community. From 1900-1940, the Arlington Women’s Club remained a potent cultural force in Arlington.
2023
The 3 founders of Mystic Open Studios (MOS) came together in 2023 just by chance, but with a shared vision to create an inclusive multi-use flexible studio space in Arlington. Their welcoming and cooperative space offers everything from painting, drawing, clay, and printmaking to yoga, dance, and drumming. Activities reflect community interests, and fiber arts – weaving, sewing, and natural dyeing –have emerged as popular workshops, along with alternative photography. The studio offers a gathering place for community members to connect, share their skills, access arts materials, and get creative support. Core member artists can use the space at their convenience; others can drop-in for the numerous workshops and events that MOS hosts weekly.
Preserve 
c. 1740
The historic Jason Russell House was a witness to the fiercest fighting among the the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy – the conflict that marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Approximately 13 Provincials and British Regulars were killed inside the Jason Russell House and several others on the property. Operated by the Arlington Historical Society, the c.1740 house still bears several scars from the battle of Menotomy, and is at the heart of the Society’s local history museum – offering guided tours and engaging exhibits that highlight the lasting impacts of the American Revolution and Arlington’s broader history.
1897
Since 1897, the AHS has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the community’s history. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Battle, this milestone presents the Society with a unique opportunity for growth. Looking ahead, the Society is eager to share more of Arlington’s rich history, honor those who lost their lives, and highlight the historical significance of the site to a broader national audience.
Learn 
1693
In 1688, Menotomy’s 24 taxpayers petitioned for the right to build a school – an unusual request because they did not as yet have a meetinghouse. The school (located at what is now the cemetery on Pleasant Street) was completed in 1693 and stood there for more than 100 years. (The above rendering was done in 1907 by George S. Frost.)
Renovation Done Date 2025
In 1867, Arlington’s first class graduated from the newly founded 1864 high school. Public school officials then could not have predicted the rise in enrollment we face today – over 1,500 students! To match this, the AHS rebuild project has allowed us to build a spacious, sustainable, well-designed high school that will provide state-of-the-art technology, open spaces, and flexible learning environments for the next generation of young learners. “It’s not about what choices you make. It’s about making thoughtful choices.” says Principal Matthew Janger.
Vote 
1896
Prior to the Nineteenth Amendment (1920), women in Massachusetts had a limited right to vote in elections for local school committees starting in 1879. The first woman to hold elected office in Arlington was Georgianna Peatfield, who won a seat on the Arlington School Committee in 1896. The annual Town Meeting of 1921 was historic – not just because women could attend and vote – but also because Arlington’s legislative body changed from ‘open’ town meeting to ‘representative’ town meeting. When that 1921 Town Meeting opened, 39 of the 46 women who ran as representatives were sworn-in as elected members.
1949
The LWVA (in Arlington) respects and values the richness of our community. The League of Women Voters (national, founded in 1920) is a non-partisan organization of people of all genders that study and support issues, not political parties or candidates. The League encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. The collective sum of individual differences and life experiences represents not only LVMA’s culture, but the organization’s mission and achievements in an ever-evolving and changing Arlington.
Care 
1912
Symmes Hospital admitted its first patient in 1912. It was created from a bequest made by Charles Symmes in 1901 to “establish and forever maintain a hospital in Arlington.” Built on a special location high on a hill, Symmes featured porches open to the air and sweeping views, with rocking chairs and daybeds for convalescing patients. Many residents in Arlington and neighboring towns depended on it for convenient, affordable medical care as well as employment. At its peak, it was the largest employer in Arlington with over 550 employees. “For many long-term employees, Symmes Hospital was a second home with a sense of family,” remembers James Fitzgerald, who was born in the hospital along with his brother and sister. The siblings all worked there as a high school students, and learned so much “because of its very nature as a place of pain and suffering” as well as healing. (Quotes from the Arlington Advocate, 2014).
2025
The mission of the town’s Department of Health and Human Services is to protect the health of the public and assist residents with accessing basic human needs. The Department was on the frontline in Arlington during the COVID epidemic, following the latest science to advise the town, local businesses, and residents about steps for prevention, protection and treatment. It also has divisions that focus on specific constituencies or issues, such as Veterans Services, the Council on Aging, Prevention Services (concerned with substance use disorders and mental health), the Arlington Youth Counseling Center, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division. Health and Human &Services also works with multiple boards and commissions across the Town to ensure the health, safety, and wellness of each resident – as well as the community as a whole.
Heal 
1898
The hilltop views of Arlington Heights, along with salubrious air and ready railroad access, were well suited to summer resort hotels. At least three operated south of Massachusetts Avenue during the last quarter of the 19th century. The Robbins Spring Hotel (1898), at 90 Robbins Road, was described as “a mountain hotel seven miles from Boston.” It boasted 45 guest rooms, a golf course, tennis courts, croquet lawns, pool tables, and bowling alleys. The Outlook, at the corner of Eastern Ave and Park Circle, was “Noted for Ozone” – Bostonians would flock there in the summer months to get away from the dense city heat.
2025
Our town is filled with a variety of green spaces that range from ponds to open playground parks to wooded retreats. Whether it is walking the woods at Menotomy Rocks, viewing July 4th fireworks from Robbins Farm, watching a kids’ soccer game at McLennan, ice skating on Spy Pond, or swimming at the Arlington Reservoir Beach in the summer – we are fortunate to have these open spaces to visit with our families and friends – and to gather as a community. Most parks have a group of loyal resident neighbors who augment town resources by volunteering time for clean ups, plantings, and activities to keep these green spaces well maintained and beautiful.
Engage 
1775
Menotomy’s Minute Men reported for duty early on the morning of April 19, 1775. Their names are on Captain Benjamin Locke’s Muster List for that day, including two patriots of color. The military governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, General Thomas Gage, had imposed drastic controls on town meetings throughout the Colony – limiting the process towns used to self-govern. The members of the muster were willing to risk death to defend the representative government guaranteed to the Colony in its 1630 royal charter.
1921
Arlington’s town government is a representative Town Meeting made up of 252 members, elected from their home precincts (12 members from each of the 21 precincts in Arlington). Town Meeting generally gathers once a year in late April for several weeks to approve local laws and zoning, pass budgets, and authorize town spending and borrowing. Although in existence before, the Annual Town Meeting of 1921 was historic – not just because women could attend and vote – but also because Arlington’s legislative body changed from “open town meeting” (anyone) to “representative town meeting” (elected) as it exists today.
Energy 
1637
Captain George Cooke lived in what is now Arlington from 1635 to 1645. He took advantage of the swift running water in Mill Brook by building the first grist mill in this area. After procuring a land grant, he built a dam and erected the mill on the lowest level of the waterway close to Mystic Street, in the “Cooke’s Hollow” park area. For several years it was the only grist mill in the area, and farmers from Cambridge, Watertown, Medford, and beyond would bring their grain to be ground into meal.
1864
Founded by German immigrant brothers Charles and Frederick Schwamb, the Old Schwamb Mill complex harnessed water and steam power more than 100 years ago to manufacture oval frames during America’s “Gilded Age.” After 105 years operating as a family-owned business, a remarkable transition from working factory to a living history museum was made. The Mill’s unique 19th-century elliptical lathes, its original belt-driven shaft-and-pulley machinery, and the original hand-turning process are used to this day to create frames for customers around the world. It is known as the oldest continuously operating mill site in the country.
Inform 
1871
On December 16, 1871, volume 1, number 1, of the Arlington Advocate was published. It did not get underway as a regular weekly until January 13, 1872, when it was four pages in length, sold for three cents a copy, and an annual subscription cost but a dollar! The editor then stated: “Every considerable village feels the need for a medium for the expression of ideas, the discussion of topics of public interest, and a critical observer of general affairs. The weekly newspaper furnished the desired means, and wherever one is published the social and moral health of the community is greatly improved.” The newspaper ceased publication in 2022.
2006
Arlington Community Media Inc. (ACMi) provides a forum for the free exchange of information and ideas which reflect the talents, skills, interests, concerns, and diversity of the Arlington community. Three channels distribute content with a focus: general public, education, and government. A regular newscast keeps residents in the know, and Talk of the Town takes a deeper look at issues of interest through interviews with a variety of guests. ACMi prides itself on having a robust youth program in partnership with AHS. “It serves Arlington in every way it can” by welcoming diverse voices and perspectives as well as providing up-to-date local coverage in a digital easy-to-access format.
Meet 
1773
Thomas Russell’s general store was a primary gathering place in Menotomy’s village center. It survived being pillaged on April 19, 1775 during the retreat of the British soldiers. Most of Menotomy’s families operated small farms, but they relied on the store to provide imported items such as coffee, tea, rum, molasses, and spices. With limited access to hard currency, the colonists often used a bushel of corn grain as the standard of trade. In addition to its mercantile function, the store’s upper floor, light and airy due to its arched ceiling, was used as a social hall for dancing and community events – and also as the meeting place of the town selectmen, treasurer and clerk in the decades before the first town hall was built.
2025
Arlington today is fortunate to be home to a multitude of diverse eateries and cafes which offer places for the community to gather as well as shop. Cafes the like Roasted Granola (which sells its own granola along with local crafts) and Kickstand Café are places where one can go to host a meeting, work remotely, or catch up with friends. Niche culinary options include: Boon Noon, a restaurant that also sells Thai provisions; Pasha’s Little Grand Bazaar that likewise offers Turkish groceries; and Maruichi Food & Deli, densely packed with Japanese products and prepared foods. Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s easy to access to global foods and flavors right at your doorstep!
