Top O’ Hill Terrace: The Casino That Disguised Itself As A Chapel
Tucked into the hills of Arlington, Texas, Top O’ Hill Terrace is a place where charm and scandal go hand in hand. Once dubbed “Vegas Before Vegas,” this former casino and tea garden was a secret hotspot for Hollywood stars, gamblers, and gangsters in the 1930s and 40s—all hidden behind wrought iron gates and an unassuming chapel façade.
Today, visitors can explore what’s left of this fascinating property: original sandstone structures, underground escape tunnels, and stories that seem more fiction than fact. Whether you’re into architecture, Texas history, or just a good secret, this hilltop estate has plenty to reveal.
A recreation of the secret casino room brings the hidden history of Top O’ Hill Terrace to life.
✨ Notable Features & Attractions
- 🧱 Restored sandstone guardhouse and original wrought iron gates
- 🚪 Hidden escape tunnel used during police raids
- 🍃 Ruins of the original tea garden
- 🎲 Recreated casino room with period furnishings
- 📜 Compelling prohibition-era stories, from mobsters to movie stars
🕵️ From Tea Garden to Hidden Casino: History in Stone and Strategy
Top O’ Hill Terrace began as a genteel tea room in the 1920s, offering tranquil views from the Arlington hillside. But by the 1930s, it had evolved into one of the most clandestine and glamorous gambling establishments in the region.
Owned by Fred and Mary Browning, the estate operated under a strict security system—complete with gates, guards, and escape routes. The sandstone structures, winding paths, and subtly concealed rooms were no accident; the layout mimicked religious or residential buildings to evade suspicion.
Architecturally, the estate features:
- Locally sourced sandstone walls that blend into the natural terrain
- A modest, almost spiritual façade that disguised its true purpose
- Terraced gardens and stonework—some of which still line the landscape today
- A now-recreated casino space, restored inside the adjacent college’s heritage center
Hidden passageways like this allowed guests to flee during police raids—adding to the legend of Top O’ Hill Terrace.
Rumors swirled that gangsters like Bonnie and Clyde frequented the location, and actors such as Clark Gable may have passed through. After a series of raids, the property was ultimately shut down in the 1950s and sold to the Arlington Baptist College. Thanks to historian Vickie Bryant, much of the site has been preserved for the public.
🏅 Significance and Legacy
What makes Top O’ Hill unique is how effectively it camouflaged vice with virtue. It wasn’t just a casino—it was a masterclass in deception, hidden within plain sight. The juxtaposition between its moral exterior and decadent interior is what continues to fascinate visitors today.
Its story, long buried and nearly forgotten, is now preserved through public tours, historical presentations, and recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as a testament to a stranger-than-fiction chapter of Texas history.
🎉 Special and Private Events
While full-scale events are rare due to its location on a college campus, the site does host:
- 🗣️ Historical lectures and presentations
- 🎥 Filming location for documentaries and travel shows
- 🕰️ Private group tours by appointment
📅 Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are the most pleasant for walking the grounds and seeing remnants of the original gardens. Summer visits can be hot but manageable, especially indoors. All tours are appointment only, so plan ahead.
♿ Accessibility
Accessibility information—including mobility access, guided tour options, and sensory accommodations—is now included in the Visit & Tour Guide for Top O’ Hill Terrace.
💬 What People Are Saying
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A Texas treasure! You’d never guess what happened behind these walls.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The escape tunnel blew my mind. It’s like stepping into a noir film.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Fascinating history—wish the tour was longer, I could’ve listened all day.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Limited mobility access to some parts, but still worth visiting.”
🧳 Final Thoughts
Top O’ Hill Terrace is the kind of place that makes you lean in. From the outside, it looks like a sleepy campus relic—but peel back the curtain, and you’ll uncover a world of glamor, danger, and resilience. Its layered past makes it one of North Texas’s most compelling hidden gems for architecture buffs, history lovers, and curious travelers alike.