Top o hill terrace photos

Most people would regard these items as the trappings of vice. The battlefield: forty-six oak-shaded acres on a hilltop in west Arlington. Frank Norris. And yet it all began so peacefully, even genteelly.

You may ask, what is Top 'O Hill Terrace? This illegal gambling establishment operated for more than 20 years, from the s, before finally being shut down in the mids. If you blink you might miss the small guard shack door, a reminder that these gates once held back law enforcement while being the only entrance to this property surrounded by a wired alarm system. Guards carefully vetted gamblers, bootleggers, gangsters, and entertainers with secret passwords before allowing them to cross the gates. The views of the surrounding area are amazing as this is one of the highest points in the county.

Top o hill terrace photos

Beulah Adams Marshall bought land here along the Bankhead Highway in the early s and opened a tea room, hosting teas and serving dinners to Dallas and Fort Worth patrons. In the late s, Fred and Mary Browning purchased the property and shortly began converting the facilities into a casino, adding an escape tunnel and secret room for hiding the gambling paraphernalia during raids. Known as Top O' Hill Terrace, the popular spot attracted gamblers as well as visitors who were often unaware of the gaming activities. The restaurant, along with the tea garden that exists today, was a legitimate business, operating alongside a brothel as well as the casino, which benefited from the nearby Arlington Downs Racetrack. Contemporary to the Top O' Hill heyday was the outspoken Dr. The conservative Norris, co-founder of Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, later known as Bible Baptist Seminary and later as the Arlington Baptist College, was an ardent proponent of prohibition and gambling reform. In , Texas Ranger Captain M. In late , under the leadership of Earl K. Oldham, the Bible Baptist Seminary bought the property and relocated here, fulfilling Norris' promise, although neither he nor Browning had lived to see it. Today, the Arlington Baptist University continues to use the site, which retains many of its original structures and features a statue of Norris by noted Sculptor Pompeo Coppini. Top O' Hill Terrace.

Today, the Arlington Baptist University continues to use the site, which retains many of its original structures and features a statue of Norris by noted Sculptor Pompeo Coppini. Skip to content. Some people who top o hill terrace photos the Terrace were not aware that it included an illegal gambling casino and a brothel.

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Beulah Adams Marshall bought land here along the Bankhead Highway in the early s and opened a tea room, hosting teas and serving dinners to Dallas and Fort Worth patrons. In the late s, Fred and Mary Browning purchased the property and shortly began converting the facilities into a casino, adding an escape tunnel and secret room for hiding the gambling paraphernalia during raids. Known as Top O' Hill Terrace, the popular spot attracted gamblers as well as visitors who were often unaware of the gaming activities. The restaurant, along with the tea garden that exists today, was a legitimate business, operating alongside a brothel as well as the casino, which benefited from the nearby Arlington Downs Racetrack. Contemporary to the Top O' Hill heyday was the outspoken Dr. The conservative Norris, co-founder of Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, later known as Bible Baptist Seminary and later as the Arlington Baptist College, was an ardent proponent of prohibition and gambling reform. In , Texas Ranger Captain M. In late , under the leadership of Earl K. Oldham, the Bible Baptist Seminary bought the property and relocated here, fulfilling Norris' promise, although neither he nor Browning had lived to see it.

Top o hill terrace photos

You may ask, what is Top 'O Hill Terrace? This illegal gambling establishment operated for more than 20 years, from the s, before finally being shut down in the mids. If you blink you might miss the small guard shack door, a reminder that these gates once held back law enforcement while being the only entrance to this property surrounded by a wired alarm system. Guards carefully vetted gamblers, bootleggers, gangsters, and entertainers with secret passwords before allowing them to cross the gates. The views of the surrounding area are amazing as this is one of the highest points in the county. Vickie Bryant, wife of the former University president, greeted me at the administration building the former casino and ushered me into a small room filled with books, photos, clothing, and other artifacts. Vickie has spent the last 20 years collecting memorabilia, stories, and photographs, and retelling this amazing story. Featured on television, highlighted by tour guides, and lauded on Trip Advisor, Vickie is my guide. The tour began with a history filled presentation taking me through Top 'O Hill's beginnings as a tearoom, its heyday as a casino, and how the Baptist church came to own the property.

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When raided, patrons could be evacuated through the tunnel to the outside and wait out the raid in the nearby tea garden. Patrons had to show their ID and give the password to be allowed past the guardhouse. The acreage that the Brownings bought was well suited to their plan. March 30, at pm. Floors had trapdoors; walls hid secret rooms and passageways. The grounds were surrounded by an eight-foot chain-link fence wired to a security alarm. Also note Frank Hamer of Bonnie and Clyde fame. Her matter-of-fact delivery, southern flair, strong conviction, and passion for the history of Top 'O Hill made me feel like I was sitting with my favorite aunt, listening to family tall tales. The conservative Norris, co-founder of Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, later known as Bible Baptist Seminary and later as the Arlington Baptist College, was an ardent proponent of prohibition and gambling reform. When raiders arrived at the guardhouse, the guards had to let them pass, of course, but only after a guard had stepped on a pin in the ground near the gate. Browning also built a tiled swimming pool. Amid the rich and famous patrons at the Terrace, occasionally there appeared patrons who were not what they seemed to be. Oldham, the Bible Baptist Seminary bought the property and relocated here, fulfilling Norris' promise, although neither he nor Browning had lived to see it. Norris stayed behind as the lawmen went ahead and forced their way into the casino in the basement and confiscated two roulette wheels, two gaming tables, poker chips, and dice.

Fred and Mary Browning purchased the property in the late s and began, immediately, an extensive remodeling of the house. The new owner first had the house moved aside so that the basement could be built; then, the house was replaced on top of the new basement. The main floor was the only visible structure above the ground.

Onto the battlefield in stepped Fred C. Norris stayed behind as the lawmen went ahead and forced their way into the casino in the basement and confiscated two roulette wheels, two gaming tables, poker chips, and dice. Browning intended to give those gamblers an alternative to the track. March 31, at pm. Browning and Kirkwood paid their fines and went about their business. November 15, at pm. It was beyond the city limits—and city law enforcement. Featured on television, highlighted by tour guides, and lauded on Trip Advisor, Vickie is my guide. And yet it all began so peacefully, even genteelly. In came another blow to the Terrace: The state legislature outlawed parimutuel betting. So Browning moved the teahouse off its foundation temporarily so that a two-tiered basement could be dug. This would be extremely helpful,thank you.