Arlington History

Fairfax County ceded the land of current day Arlington County to the Federal Government in 1789 as part of the District of Columbia, and was returned to Virginia in 1846. Arlington County was originally named Alexandria County, up until 1920. It's located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC and no incorporated towns or cities lie within Arlington's boundaries. Arlington County got its name from the Arlington House which was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family for thirty years. Lee's father-in-law, built the house between 1802 and 1818 to be his home as well as a memorial to George Washington, his step-grandfather. Arlington House, with its associated slave quarters and gardens, are now preserved as a memorial to Robert E. Lee.

Sources:

http://www.civfed.org/historys.htm

http://www.arlingtonvarealestate.net/history.asp

http://genealogenie.net/arlington/reservations.shtml