This weathered plaque, nestled along the Bankhead Highway in Arlington, hints at a past filled with glittering lights and clandestine dealings. This is the Top O’ Hill Terrace Plaque, a silent sentinel to a bygone era of gambling and gin.
In the early 1920s, Beulah Adams Marshall bought this land, a tea room was her dream. She hosted elegant teas and dinners, attracting Dallas and Fort Worth’s elite. But then, Prohibition swept the nation.
In 1926, Fred and Mary Browning purchased the property, transforming it into a haven for gamblers. They cleverly disguised their illicit activities, operating a legitimate restaurant alongside a brothel and a secret casino.
The Browning’s Top O’ Hill Terrace pulsed with excitement, attracting both high-rollers and unsuspecting patrons who thought they were enjoying a casual meal. The bustling casino thrived just beneath the genteel facade. But this era didn’t last forever.
A prominent figure in the fight against this hidden world was Dr. J. Frank Norris. He was a fiery Baptist minister who adamantly opposed gambling. Dr. Norris vowed to one day own the property.
Years later, his dream became reality. The Bible Baptist Seminary purchased the property in 1956, transforming the casino into a place of learning and faith. Today, the Arlington Baptist College still stands atop the hill, a reminder of the complex tapestry of Texas history, from gambling haven to a seminary and today, an educational beacon of hope.