A historic landmark will return to Arlington

Built in 1893, Arlington’s Mineral Well once served as a gathering spot for the town’s rallies, parades and cotton sales.

Mineral water, thought to have medicinal powers, flowed from lion head sculptures perched on the sides of a fountain.

But in 1951, Arlington demolished the fountain and capped the well at Main and Center streets to accommodate booming vehicle traffic.

Now, a new landmark will commemorate the historic well — albeit without the mineral water.

Tucked between the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library and City Hall, Mineral Well Plaza will feature a 40-foot-tall clock tower and fountain with sculptures of lion heads, seating areas and landscaping.

Construction is set to begin this fall on the plaza.

The new plaza “will be central to Arlington’s redevelopment and collective history, benefiting both Arlington residents and our tourism efforts,” according to a city press release.

The nonprofit Arlington Tomorrow Foundation gave a $1 million grant, and the city is providing roughly $1.3 million to complete the project.