The area now known as Arlington, Tennessee, was originally inhabited by the Chickasaw Nation. Following the Treaty of Tuscaloosa, this territory, along with other parts of West Tennessee, was ceded to the United States. On November 24, 1819, Shelby County was established, named in honor of Isaac Shelby, a commissioner involved in the treaty negotiations, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, and the first governor of Kentucky. By the 1830s, the nascent community comprised fewer than 20 settlers.
By 1856, the population had increased to approximately 200 residents. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, was the dominant economic activity, necessitating reliable transportation for shipping goods. In response, Withe Depot was constructed on land donated by General Samuel J. Hays, a nephew of President Andrew Jackson, strategically served by the Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad. The depot became a critical shipping point, primarily for cotton, to support the agricultural economy of the region. In recognition of General Hays's substantial land donation, the community was subsequently named Haysville.
The railroad infrastructure significantly shaped Haysville's development and connectivity. A local train, colloquially referred to as "The Accommodation," became a vital link for residents commuting to Memphis for work and school. Anecdotes from the period suggest that the train's crew, including the engineer, flagman, and conductor, were familiar with the daily passengers, occasionally slowing the train to accommodate late arrivals running from their homes to board.
The onset of the American Civil War brought considerable disruption to Haysville. Many local men enlisted to fight in the conflict, and a significant number did not return, affecting the town's population and growth trajectory. In 1872, following the war, land owned by the estate of General Hays was subdivided and sold at public auction. Streets in the new layout were named to honor notable figures such as Bishop Charles Quintard, President Andrew Jackson, Colonel Robert I. Chester, and General Nathan Bedford Forrest. The first residential structure was constructed by Captain Henry Munger Pitman, who served as the depot agent.