East Arlington in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack

Photographed by Gary Estep, February 20, 2026

1. Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Marker

Inscription. Wealthy rancher and oilman W.T. Waggoner (1852-1934) developed a stable of fine Thoroughbreds and quarter horses at his ranch here in the 1920s. At this site he built Arlington Downs, a one-and-one quarter mile race track with a 6,000-seat grandstand. Racing days drew thousands of spectators including numerous celebrities. Waggoner and his sons Guy (1883-1950) and Paul (1889-1967) campaigned for parimutuel betting, which was legalized in Texas from 1934 to 1937. The racetrack was used for rodeos and other events before the buildings were razed in 1958.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4724.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports.

Location. 32° 44.884′ N, 97° 4.173′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is in East Arlington. It is at the intersection of East Randol Mill Road and Six Flags Drive, on the right when traveling west on East Randol Mill Road. This marker stands in front of the Arlington Downs Tower office building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2225 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington TX 76011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arlington Downs Racetrack and Fountain (approx. ¼ mile away); Narrow Gauge Railway

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Ruben Sierra, OF (approx. ¾ mile away); Tom Grieve (approx. ¾ mile away); Toby Harrah, SS-3B-2B (approx. ¾ mile away); Kenny Rogers, LHP (approx. ¾ mile away); Rusty Greer, OF (approx. ¾ mile away); Eric Nadel (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Photographed by Gary Estep, February 20, 2026

2. Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Marker

Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Texas Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by QuesterMark, September 11, 2006

3. Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Texas Historical Marker

Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by QuesterMark, September 11, 2006

4. Site of Arlington Downs Racetrack Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2016, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,780 times since then and 170 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2016, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.