Looking back at historic Arlington Cemetery Station photos

Published: Thursday, March 18, 2021

Arlington Cemetery Station opened on July 1, 1977, along with the completion of 11.8 new miles of Metrorail tracks between National Airport and RFK Stadium. Several other stations opened at the same time, including Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Rosslyn, Smithsonian, and Stadium–Armory stations. 

This side-platform station is popular with tourists and locals alike, as it is located near the Arlington National Cemetery, whose grounds honor those who have served our nation and provide a sense of beauty and peace for guests. This station is also a popular spot for those attending or viewing the Independence Day fireworks, since it's just a short walk across the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the National Mall.

The station is currently closed through May 23 while work crews rebuild the existing concrete platforms. When the station reopens, customers will notice safer, more accessible platforms, including slip-resistant tiles and customer experience improvements like larger next train signs and new stainless steel platform shelters with charging ports.

Thanks for reading this week's throwback post and checking out the photo gallery below, which features photos from the station's original construction in the 1970s. Stay tuned for more photos of upcoming stations in 2021!