History of Arlington

The area now known as Arlington was first settled by the English in 1635. The area was known as Menotomy, which means “swift flowing water.” On April 19th 1775 the British marched up what is now known as Massachusetts Avenue to Lexington and then to Concord in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The British returned to Boston later in the day along the same route and suffered their heaviest causalities, as they were ambushed by Colonial forces along several spots in Arlington, this is known as the Battle of Menotomy.

Uncle Sam was born in Menotomy. Samuel Wilson was almost nine years old when the Battle of Menotomy took place. He started a meat-packing business in Troy, N.Y., where he became known as Uncle Sam. People say that the U.S. stamped on boxes of meat for the U.S. Army during the War of 1812 stood for Uncle Sam.

To learn more, please visit the Arlington Historical Society.