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.

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.

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. On a hilltop with a grand view to the west she built an elegant building of timber and sandstone and opened a teahouse, hosting teas and dinners for ladies of refinement of Dallas and Fort Worth. Women were beginning to drive more in the early s, and the Bankhead Highway connected the teahouse to both cities. Onto the battlefield in stepped Fred C. Browning knew his way around a casino, had lots of contacts both inside and outside the law. He and Browning would meet again. Also note Frank Hamer of Bonnie and Clyde fame. The acreage that the Brownings bought was well suited to their plan.

The teahouse was moved back over the basement. Her matter-of-fact delivery, southern flair, strong conviction, top o hill terrace photos passion for the history of Top 'O Hill made me feel like I was sitting with my favorite aunt, listening to family tall tales. 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.

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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

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. The inner floor and the basement were much larger than the house and were built expressly for casino operations. Browning had planned his home with much foresight for its use as a gambling casino. Even with the possibility of unannounced raids, there was not much cause for concern since his fortress was considered virtually "raid proof". The building was so ingeniously constructed for its functional purpose, that it remains a wonder that a raid was ever effected. The grounds of the estate were surrounded by a wired alarm system. The only way one could possibly get in was through the front gates. There were usually two guards stationed at the gate.

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Top O' Hill Terrace. Privacy Policy. For starters, two armed men were stationed at a guardhouse see photos in Part 2 at the only entrance on the highway. After Ed was killed, Harry Hines, the state highway commissioner for whom the Dallas boulevard is named , got Doris a job as a secretary for the Texas Highway Patrol headquarters. April 2, at am. 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. There were fountains, stone-lined ponds stocked with fish and swans, stone footbridges, stone walls, canopied breezeways. There had been no buzzer to warn of a raid. October 2, at am. September 7, at am.

You may ask, what is Top 'O Hill Terrace?

Photo from about looks north on Houston Street from just below 10th Street. We are working on a solution and will post when we have more information. During the presentation, Vickie showed me poker chips, a roulette wheel, fur coats and decks of cards. Danny says:. I have been on the tour. Browning also built a tiled swimming pool. James says:. The battlefield: forty-six oak-shaded acres on a hilltop in west Arlington. By April Luter on Mar. The Reason Who? Norris was outraged.