Commonwealth Communities: Arlington

Form of Government: Selectman, Town Manager, Representative Town Meeting

2000 Population: 42,389

Fun Facts:

1. The town of Arlington has had three names. Originally settled in 1635, was originally named “Menotomy.” In 1807, it became “West Cambridge.” In 1867, it took the name “Arlington” in honor of the heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Virginia.

2. Uncle Sam was born in Arlington. Samuel Wilson started a meat-packing plant in Troy, New York. His picture was stamped on the boxes of meat that were sent to soldiers in the War of 1812. Uncle Sam eventually became the picture for the famous recruiting posters for the Armed Forces.

3. The first free public library in Massachusetts is Arlington and is now the oldest continuously running public library in the United States.

4. The Jason Russell House in Arlington was the site of the bloodiest fight of April 19, 1775. Twelve colonists were killed in a skirmish during the British retreat from Concord.

5. An Arlington dentist, Dr. George F. Grant, was both the first black graduate of Harvard College and the inventor of the golf tee. He patented the tee in 1899 to replace kneeling down to build up a little mound of sand.

Congressman Markey with three 2002 West Point graduates at the Arlington Post Office

Congressman Markey with three 2002 West Point graduates from the local area at the Arlington Post Office. The Post Office presented each of the graduates with a framed presentation piece picturing the newly issued United States Military Academy stamp which was issued to commemorate West Point's 200 year anniversary.