In its earliest years, Arlington was a commercial stop along the Overland Trail.[9] Founded circa 1860,[4] it began with the establishment of a bridge and stage stop at the crossing of Rock Creek, after which it was named until the early twentieth century.[9] In 1983, the community was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district for its nineteenth-century significance.[4]
In 1882, a post office was established at Rock Creek under the name of "Rock Dale."[9] Except for a gap in 1924 and 1925, a post office with the name of Arlington was operated in the community from 1902 to 1943.[10]