Top o hill terrace photos

Most people would regard these items as the trappings of vice.

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.

Browning did not live to mourn long. Oh, and a brothel.

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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.

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.

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In addition to the casino, Browning owned a string of Thoroughbred racehorses. Thanks for visiting the site- unfortunately the author, Mike Nichols, passed away. The grounds of the Terrace were worthy of a country estate, landscaped and maintained by a caretaker with a staff of four. Cheryl Hughey says:. In the paneled-and-upholstered basement Browning built a fifty-by-sixty-foot gaming room and a twelve-foot curved bar with a wall of mirrors behind 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. Jack Poe, who worked at the Terrace for five years as a teenager in the s, recalled that a half-million dollars might change hands on a weekend during racing season. 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. In came another blow to the Terrace: The state legislature outlawed parimutuel betting. On one wall of the gaming room was what appeared to be an electrical outlet. October 3, at pm. September 7, at am. If they are still doing it..

Most people would regard these items as the trappings of vice.

Oldham, the Bible Baptist Seminary bought the property and relocated here, fulfilling Norris' promise, although neither he nor Browning had lived to see it. Herein are 1. March 31, at pm. The Reason Who? The property had only one way in. It did. The teahouse could not be seen from the highway. Depressing that pin activated a buzzer in the casino, alerting Browning and employees. The original tea garden had been retained. He and Browning would meet again. Thank you for visiting the site.