As May unfolds, Arlington is paying tribute to its heritage during National Historic Preservation Month. The Landmark Preservation Commission spotlights the city's historical structures, particularly the enduring sandstone houses that pepper Central Arlington. Residents are encouraged to share their favorite historic spots by contacting the commission via social media or email to showcase their community's architectural history.
Over 15 examples of sandstone residences, some approaching their centennial, stand as monuments of a bygone era. These homes are not only legacies of craftsmanship but also pillars of functionality in the modern age. This was highlighted in a survey by the Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission, identifying a variety of such dwellings in size and purpose, a tiny cottage near the UTA campus, a grand structure on West Abram Street now serving commercial ambitions and residences in between, all contenders for historic designation.
According to an article by OK Carter, as reported by the City of Arlington, a former Landmark Preservation Commissioner, "An old stone home is a reflection of its builder’s heritage and masonry skills as well as the region in which it was built," thus emphasizing the cultural and historic significance behind these structures. Among the highlighted examples in Arlington is the iconic Top O’ Hill Casino, now part of Arlington Baptist University, where the operator Fred Browning had made notable use of sandstone for fencing and buildings, some of which serve the university today.
