At the beginning of the 1970s, the population of Arlington, Texas, was around 90,643. It was the time when Arlington began to develop as a tourist destination. The Turnpike Stadium, built in 1972, became Texas Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers. Arlington opened its first enclosed shopping mall, Six Flags Mall, in 1970. In the same year, Forum 303 Mall opened farther down the highway. Arlington’s downtown had almost vanished by 1972, but renewal efforts led by the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation have brought it back to life.
Here are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1970s in Arlington, Texas.
#1 Arlington Memorial Hospital, 1973
#2 Arlington Public Library, 1973
#3 Arlington Stadium billboard, 1973
#4 Post Office, Arlington
#5 Aerial view during construction of Seven Seas Marine Life Park in Arlington, Texas, 1972
#6 Burt Grant Beauty Salon, Arlington, Texas, 1979
#7 A Leonard’s Department Store that is part of the Forum 303 Mall in Arlington, 1974
#8 Windows of Arlington First Christian Church, 1973
#9 Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1973
#10 Ted Williams with Texas Rangers team members, 1972
#11 100 block West Main Street, Arlington, Texas, 1978
#12 Arlington Stadium, 1977.
#13 Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff at Turnpike Stadium, Arlington, 1970
#14 Arlington’s Seven Seas amusement park, 1972
#15 Forum 303 Mall in Arlington, 4, 1974
#16 Arlington church, 1973
#17 The scoreboard at Arlington Stadium during WBAP’s Country Gold third anniversary event, 1973
#18 Dolly Parton performing at WBAP’s Country Gold 1974 anniversary event, 1974
Parton stands on stage and sings into a microphone while playing the guitar. She wears a green shirt and pants with sequin and jewel embellishments. Other individuals can be seen playing instruments on stage with her.
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#19 Downtown Arlington, 1973. The First Baptist Church. There are other buildings, cars, and streets.
#20 Downtown Arlington with buildings, cars, streets, and power lines, 1973
#21 Arlington High School Colts mascot, Little Arlie, 1974
#22 UTA’s Handicapped Student Association homecoming parade float. 1974
#23 University of Texas at Arlington’s Handicapped Student Association homecoming parade float. The parade was travelling northbound along Cooper Street in Arlington.
#24 Tom Vandergriff speaking at Texas Turnpike Authority and Texas Highway Commission meeting, 1976
#25 Parking entrance to Arlington Stadium, 1972
#26 Aerial view of Arlington Stadium and parking lots, 1973
#27 University of Texas at Arlington sign, 1973
#28 Arlington School Administration building, 1973
#29 Downtown Arlington.1973. A bank is under construction. The photo appears to have been taken from the roof of the First Baptist Church, facing northeast.
#30 University of Texas at Arlington (U. T. A.) campus and surrounding area, 1970
#31 View of the crowd at Arlington Stadium for the Texas Rangers baseball team’s first home game in Arlington, 1972
#32 Lamar High School football homecoming game, 1971
#33 Four men from United Auto Workers (U. A. W.) Local 276 on strike in front of General Motors Assembly Plant, 1970
#34 Front entrance to the University of Texas at Arlington (U. T. A.) library building, 1972
#35 Coach Peach of Lamar High School football, 1970
#36 The Lamar High School Vikings students on small truck advertising City of Arlington, 1973
#37 The seating at Arlington Stadium during WBAP’s Country Gold third anniversary event, 1973
#38 Downtown Arlington, 1973
#39 UTA Mavs football drills, 1976
#40 The architectural sketch for the J. C. Duncan Community Center in Vendergriff Park from 1972.
#41 Children volunteering for a national children’s poll for the 1972 presidential election, conducted by the “Hoot Owl” children’s newspaper in Arlington, tabulated at Six Flags Over Texas.
#42 Abram and Center streets, Arlington, Texas, 1970
#43 Arlington Stadium Ticket Booths, 1970
#44 Texas Rangers opening night at Arlington Stadium; Rangers vs. California Angels; players lined up for national anthem, 1972
#45 Looking east, Arlington, Texas, 1972
#46 South side of University of Texas at Arlington (U. T. A.) Library building, 1972
#47 Hawaii Kai’s native dancers at Six Flags Over Texas, 1976
#48 New public library, Arlington, Texas, 1970s
#49 Arlington, Texas Municipal Airport, 1978
#50 Three churches, 1973
#51 Downtown Arlington being prepared for a demolition in 1972.
It was taken from across an intersection. Among the buildings sectioned off are a pharmacy, Hutton Pianos and Organs, and Walter's Auto Supply. There is a truck by the buildings, and a car is on the road.