Top O' Hill Terrace Reviews

Amazing history!!!! Great tour. I enjoyed walking the tunnels and learning about the incredible history. Amazing how God works!

We all had a really great time listening to and seeing old photos about speakeasy’s, the roaring 20’s, boot leggers and the history of Arlington. It was so interesting and informative. So many well known “characters” actually visited this place. As they say - “now you know the rest of the story!”

The lecture/tour of the Top of the Hill was GREAT!! Lots of very interesting information was given. The fact that this place was once referred to as Little Las Vegas should give a clue. We enjoyed it so much we will probably go again when it’s cooler since part of the tour is outside.

A fun, quick outing for ourbook club. The talk was informative and the name dropping was fun. Not too strenuous for older individuals.

Who ever would have thought a not-so-innocent little town between Dallas and Fort Worth would be a mecca of for the rich and famous. Vicky's presentation of years of research and collection of original artifacts from the Top O'Hill Hill shows her diligence and passion to pass on history. A must for your bucket list.

What great time we had with our book club group. We had read the book, The King of Diamonds and decided to find out more. Vicky had so much to tell us about the place and the visitors to Top O' Hill terrace. The tour was under 2 hours and so informative. The history behind the property and what it represents today is so good -Tours are private but can easily sign up for a tour.

We enjoyed this tour of Top O' Hill Terrace. The wonderful lady who has compiled all of the historical information and artifacts took her time going through the presentation and the walking tour. We found out so much about the amazing history. I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary! I even purchased a shirt alluding to the pig farm!

So interesting how this Tea Room evolved into illegal gambling, moonshine, brothel and murder. Great history accounts from the late 20’s to the late 40’s. The Elites found themselves rubbing shoulders with celebrities and gangsters! The stories and slides bring that era to life!
Very fun!

Mrs. Bryant has done an amazing job of getting artifacts and interviewing people, making the tour of Top O’ The Hill Terrace absolutely awesome ! She is so knowledgeable and answered questions, shared all that she learned and showed us around the facilities. Such great history, preserved for all to enjoy!

Our Car Club (Granbury Car Club) went and Everyone was impressed with the tour.
Vickie Bryant knows her stuff, and her research is impeccable. We will make this a yearly day trip. It was fascinating, and it was a must to see and hear the history.
5-star event.

This was a fabulous afternoon trip with Tarrant County Historic Society. Vickie was our decent and owner of Top 0’ Hill. Her presentation was one of the best I have had on a tour. It was excellent and had many interesting true stories of this place. We live nearby and had no idea this amazing place was one of the top
tourist attractions in the area. It is a “not to miss” opportunity in Arlington.

Such amazing history! Beautiful area! Gracious host. So glad we were able to tour here. Highly recommend this to visitors who are interested in casino history in the Fort Worth area.

We loved hearing Vickie's most interesting historical story of this "Vegas before Vegas" charming property. Vickie and friend (both married to Baptist pastors) have done an amazing job of research (from books and people who actually played a part, or knew of someone who had) into the colorful past of this old tea room, turned casino hotspot, turned Arlington Baptist College. We will certainly return, when back to the area, to hear more of her story as more secret rooms/tunnels/stories are possibly uncovered over the next few years. Definitely worth a visit for visitors to the area and even for local residents if they haven't heard the story.

Vickie did a wonderful job with the presentation! I learned alot and enjoyed the presentation and tour! I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in history.

Awesome history! Great info and tour including photos and tunnels.
Highly recommend. Local history and national figures.

This was such a great place to visit. It was very interesting hearing all about Top O’Hill Terrace and the past when it was a casino. It’s amazing who visited it long ago.

The tunnels were so cool! They have more to uncover and I will visit again in the future to see if they were able to do that.

Grew up 1.2 miles from this place and had always heard stories about the casinos and gangsters, and it’s all true! Finally toured it and am completely fascinated by all the history that came through this place! The guide(expert) Vickie was not only informative, but passionate about this place. Just a few big names that came through: Benny Binion, Liberace, Jack Ruby, Will Rogers, etc… Wonderful piece of history that needs to be preserved for years to come.

We called ahead to see if we could schedule a tour the next morning and received confirmation before end of day with all the details we needed. Vicki met us outside and greeted us with a welcoming smile. She single handedly has made this what it is today. She had lots of history and people connections which made the tour fun and interesting!! It shows she really enjoys researching and finding out about the history of Top O’ Hill. We really enjoyed this tour and highly recommend it to you!! Excellent job Vicki!

Had a great time. Tour was very good. Tour guide extremely knowledgeable. What a hidden gem they have at ABU. Hoping that more people will attend and allow the finances to grow so the history can continue to be revealed.
Thank you

Touring the Top O'Hill Terrace is a remarkable glimpse of local history that served wealthy and famous patrons looking for entertainment that was just a bit outside the law during its pre-WW2 heyday. Stories of what transpired are detailed by the wife of a Baptist preacher who works hard to preserve the history and vividly recounts the eventual victory of good over evil when the church took ownership and turned the place into a Baptist college.

It was very interesting information… but I cannot refer to it as a “tour”. We sat in a room and listened to the stories and watched the accompanying power point presentation of photographs.
I thought we would get to go down into the tunnels, etc… but the only “tour” we did was to walk outside, peek over and see where one of the tunnels exited, and go into the Bldg that houses the old (empty) swimming pool. Again— interesting information and history, but not a real “tour”.

Fascinating history right here in Arlington! We had a marvelous history lesson full of stories about famous visitors to the casino/night club before it was closed and became a seminary. Mrs. Bryant made it so interesting and interactive. Worth your visit!

Vickie is passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Top ‘O Hill Terrace. It was fun to hear about all of the famous people who went there during prohibition to drink and gamble and how God turned it around to become a Baptist college.

First the presentation of the early history of the place , then the tour to show some of the very secret places that many are still unknow

I had an excellent experience visiting the Top O’Hill Terrace! Mrs. Bryant is a wealth of historical knowledge and she has pulled together many bits and pieces over the years into a truly fascinating presentation and tour. I highly recommend visiting Top O’Hill Terrace and taking the time to get a tour from Mrs. Bryant… it is definitely worth the price of admission.

I was lucky enough that I had Vicki as the guide totally to myself. It felt like sitting down with an old friend who was telling me a story. This visit took just over 2 hours and Vicki has spent the 25 years curating the exhibit and it is a true piece of history. It is my hope that someone takes enough notice or interest and provides funds so that so much can be discovered about this property (mostly underground) and maintenance above ground so that the preservation of the Terrace keeps it for many more years to come. It would be a shame to loose it.

We embarked on an awe-inspiring journey with Vickie Bryant, who guided us through a mesmerizing tapestry of history, weaving together the realms of gambling, sin, and redemption—all converging in a singular location. A visit to Arlington, TX, would be incomplete without experiencing this extraordinary narrative firsthand.

This place is very interesting and the guide is very knowledgeable. Was not aware that this was even in Arlington. We will be visiting again and take more guest with us. Senior citizens from church, family, and friends. If you are interested in history of casinos and all that this place has to offer!

Most informative presentation of this venue. Unlocked history of secrets of the facility, area, and national influence! Well worth your time.

This place is full of amazing history. The tour guide, Vicky Bryant, has collected never before told stories of Texas history, and she shares them with humor. I highly recommend it.

This place is awesome and has a lot of history and beautiful grounds. The tour guide was very detailed and gave a lot of history on everything This place has to offer. I highly suggest you come you will be blown away.

One of Texas' hidden historical gems! I'd heard that there was once gambling there, but I had no idea of the impact it had not only on Arlington and Tarrant County, but also on the nation! The tour that Mrs. Bryant gave us was amazing - engaging and fascinating with such a personal touch! Thank you, Mrs. Bryant for your tireless work on preserving this very important part of history. We'll be back!!

It was a fascinating presentation and tour making the history of that area come alive.
The presentation was very interesting and well researched. It was time well spent.

Great experience on our tour today! Vicki is a wonderful storyteller, and it is truly a great story of the history of this area!

Vicki does an excellent job, and obviously loves what she does. The years and hours of research are presented in a professional manner and she keeps your attention. This is well worth the time and for a donation, it is one of the best values for places to visit. Don't miss this one. From a Casino to a Baptist college, it is quite a story.
Thank you Vicki for this tour.

Fabulous history! The slide show/narration were excellent. I highly recommend this tour for locals and visitors alike.

I went as part of the Travel Counselor Tour. Really enjoyed it and I will be seeking more information. Mrs Bryan is so nice.

Very informative tour! We have lived in the metroplex all of our lives and were unaware of the history of this place. or of the nefarious goings on there back in the roaring twenties and beyond. Arlington could have easily become what we now know of as Las Vegas.

What a wonderful gem of history! It was very informative and thought provoking. Younger children probably won't appreciate it as much.

If you can spare two hours, tour guide Vicki shares her considerable knowledge of this Vegas before Vegas location in west Arlington. Learn which celebrities of the 1930s and 1940s - famous or notorious - patronised Top o’Hill in her heyday. You may well leave surprised by what victories were won by God’s faithful servants. Best attraction in Arlington!

Amazing....Mrs. Vicky Bryant is a very tantalizing tour guide with the history of ' Vegas Before Vegas'. I actually went two times, once in July and because of the interest, a second time in August. I am an organizer of a senior's group. All I heard about this event was how very interesting it was and the artifacts, make sure you check those out too. I will plan another tour next year and it may become a yearly event for us. Yes, it is that terrific. Make sure you check out this historical place of days gone by....beautifully shared with Mrs. Vicky...

Really enjoyed the narrative about the history, but the tunnels brought it all to life! The artifacts slowly coming back to the Terrace are priceless!

It was the most amazing tour. Vick Bryant was an excellent tour guide and she was extremely interesting and knowledgeable of the history . I would highly recommend this tour to anyone coming to Arlington. There were so many things to see . We had a sit down presentation followed by a tour on the outside grounds. I have lived in Arlington since 1954 and never been on the tour; however I had always heard the history of Top O' Hill Terrace. Everyone should do this tour.

Chose this location as an outing for our car club and it was a great choice! Everyone enjoyed the very informative and interesting stories Vickie shared about Top ‘o Hill and it’s famous patrons. We got to go into one of the tunnels and see where it came out on the other side. Sounds like there are more rooms and tunnels yet to be excavated so there could be every reason to see the tour again in the future. Afterward, we had a great lunch at Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch about 15 min away. Altogether, a great way to spend the day with our group. Highly recommend this tour.

An interesting look into Arlington history. The guide, Vickie, was so much fun and passionate. We really enjoyed the items she has curated. The lecture is long, but good. The tour is fascinating.

Mrs.Vickie was OUTSTANDING!! The stories and facts were Amazing 👏. I learned so much. If you love history. This a tour, you need to take.

Great presentation by curator! So much interesting information. Well worth the time spent. Highly recommend going!

Vickie Bryant, author of a paperback history book on the topic, provided us with a comprehensive history lesson on this piece of early Arlington, Texas! While we had heard bits and pieces of the Top 'O Hill stories, her detailed description of the time and many anecdotes of the people really brought it to life! I did not expect to learn so much and now have a great appreciation for the preservation of this landmark!

Wow! I would encourage anyone who hasn't taken this tour. Tons of historical information rolled up into 2 hours. I really enjoyed learning about this lands past.

This was just a great tour! Vicki, that does the tour, is so knowledgeable. I went at least 10 years ago for the tour and when I went recently she had so much more information that she had discovered about Top O’ Hill. I took my 5th grade granddaughter and she loved it as well. She couldn’t stop talking about it. I highly recommend this tour!

Vicki Bryant delivered a very informative and well-done talk about the rich and risque history of Top O' Hill Terrace in the heart of Arlington. had always thought Arlington was some sleepy little town with no real past. Was I wrong!! The stories we heard made you realize Arlington was on the world stage!! Vicki has put together a wonderful slide deck, lots of memorabilia, and stories of the past that are very entertaining. This is well worth the visit and $10 donation.

What a gem!!! Vickie, the docent was so knowledgeable. You can tell she loves what she is doing and loves doing the research on the Top O Hill Terrace. If anyone is visiting Arlington, TX I highly recommend scheduling a tour of this place, you will NOT be disappointed!

As a 40 year resident of Arlington, I have long heard rumors of the city’s sordid history of gambling, prohibition and Hollywood stars that lie hidden at Top O Hill Terrace. And now I can confirm the rumors are true! Bonnie and Clyde, Clark Gable, Hedy Lamar, Bob Hope and others were all visitors of the casino and gambling tables that are hidden beneath the grounds of what is now Arlington Baptist College and are connected by underground tunnels. The 2 hour presentation and tour was fascinating and well documented. I could just imagine the gamblers of old scrambling through the tunnels safely into the surrounding woods when the secret alarm of an impending raid was sounded from the entry gate. And I could imagine the frustration of the police as the gaming tables hurriedly disappeared into secret walls and the casino appeared as nothing more than an elegant dining room. Curator Vicky hosts a wonderful presentation that documents the past and hints at future revelations that may be discovered. I highly recommend it!

This was an amazing trip back into Arlington’s past. It was a two hour presentation that kept us all mesmerized. Seeing parts of the old escape tunnels and newly discovered dig finding parts of the original casino floor. A must see!

The tour is wonderful. Very interesting and enjoyable. Texas history at it's best. The guide was very knowledgeable and interesting.

I recently had the opportunity to tour Top O'Hill Terrace in Arlington, near Dallas, Texas. If you appreciated local history, It is one of the best tours you will take in North Texas. Top O' Hill was featured in the book, King of Diamonds by Rena Pederson. There is a small museum on site and parts of the original casino and escape tunnels are still standing. The woman who gives the presentation, (I think her name is Vicky) has researched this historic site very well and she has many great anecdotes about its heyday. Ironically, it is now the home of a baptist seminary and Vicky is married to the pastor who runs the seminary. If it wasn't for the stellar research and conservation efforts of these two women, this historic site may have fallen into obscurity.
The former gambling den started as a tea room in the early 20th century and later became a casino, restaurant, club during prohibition and operated into the 1950s. some of the more famous band leaders, performers, and criminals frequented this place over the years. Vicky does a fantastic job of connecting all the players in this story and shares some original artifacts and photos with visitors. It is well worth the two-hours, and I think one of the most original things you can do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The tour is on Saturdays by reservation. through their website.

The stories and memorabilia are second to none. The guide was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable. I would like to bring some friends to tour this again with my friends and family again soon.

We did this tour with our homeschool group, it was a very interesting story of what used to be. I think it would be so cool for them to get more foot traffic and funding to help with uncovering more mysteries and more of the tunnels. Some of the artifacts and pieces they have are very cool to see while learning about the gambling and people who visited here. And how this story has come together, wow.

So much intersecting history with some of histories most famous gangsters and celebrities! Amazing how this once booming gambling facility was transferred to a Bible college. What a unique experience!

Vicki has done an excellent job researching and putting this historic story together. It was excellent and very informative.

Extremely informative, thorough tour of the history of a former casino turned Baptist University. The slide show was great and the antiques were extensive. We took a walking tour of the former casino, escape tunnel, and the large swimming pool. I would have liked to have more time to view the antiques.
It seemed like a calm, relaxing place to live and study for the university students.

Fascinating tour! The history that Vickie shared was very interesting. She has done many interviews with people (and their descendents) that worked there almost 100 years ago.

Such a great place to see and Vickie was so informative and friendly!
Really recommend a visit a hidden gem!
Keep the history alive!
Thank you Vickie!

This was a fascinating glimpse of the past! Vickie, the tour guide, has led the tour for many years and knows the history of this place. You won't believe the celebrities that dined or gambled here! And the performers who entertained here! Going through the tunnel was like going back in time. And the grounds remain as beautiful as they were 100 years ago. Check it out!

Views of Arlington from this hill top combine fabulous views of the area & the history of Dallas!!! Vicki takes you through her first person research, shows many genuine articles of historic significance & makes history real. Time & money well spent. Vicki knows how to appeal to audiences of all ages with incredible stories of the movers & shakers of Dallas. With the significant grounds you are walking on the history of this Prohibition hot spot becomes real.

Wow! What a fantastic visit to Top O'Hill Terrace. Explains how Arlington was established back in the day of gangsters, speak easys and Hollywood all coming to Arlington for some illicit fun. The escape tunnels are still there, as are the cliffs.

This is a great place to take out-of-town guests on your areas tours. Sop here on your way to Fort Worth.

I went with some friends (20) who told me it would be fun to go see this place that was once a gambling casino during Prohibition. Imagine my surprise when we entered the front gate of the Arlington Baptist College! The museum and display cases are in the Administration building for the college, and the tour guide was the wife of the President of the College, also a pastor! She had a great slide, audio, and video presentation to explain what used to happen in this location, and wow, what a story, full of sordid tales of gambling, liquor distribution, whorehouse, and escape tunnels used by famous and infamous people to escape raids by the police.

Vickie Bryant did a wonderful job of relaying all the infamous happenings and persons involved in the Arlington gambling and illegal liquor era. Amazing story. Must see!

A movie entitled Robin & the 7 Hoods (1968) is a great reference movie to watch for the the raid scene. Both Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin performed at Top O the Hill Terrace years earlier.

I'm in Texas for a few months, from Missouri, because my husband has a work project in Grand Prairie. I decided to explore the area while he worked today. Anyway, randomly picked Top O'Hill Terrace because it was a beautiful Saturday and I love historical sites. I do not prep or research things; I just go. Thankfully the tour guide was in the Administration building I happened upon. She was very friendly and encouraged me to join the tour that was scheduled to begin in 40 minutes. Until the tour, I wondered around the campus (its a college now). I took photos and read all the plaques. Again, I had no idea what to expect, but I joined the other couple (there were 3 of us total) for the tour. The tour was lengthy, but included a 5 min break and we walked to several memorable spots to finish out the tour.
The tour guide was warm, knowledgeable, composed, and engaging. I have ADHD and she kept my attention for the entire tour. She was darling. I appreciate that she wove in experiences she's had while building up what the tour is today. She had a great pace for delivering information, welcomed photo taking, and allowed us to ask questions and interact with her presentation. I am so impressed by the tour guide and appreciate all the care and effort she's invested to be a one woman sensation. I highly recommend visiting this site and taking the tour.

History facts & amazing stories by tour guide Mrs Bryant! Suggest 2.5 hr for tour & exploring time.

I’ve driven by this location many times but had no idea of the history behind or maybe below this beautiful campus. Well worth the time!

This was a fascinating piece of Arlington history. I've lived in Texas all my life and visited D/FW many times, and I am surprised I hadn't heard of Top 'O Hill. Very much worth adding to your itinerary, whether you're from Texas or not. I want to give a special shout out to Vicki, who was such a pleasure to have as our tour guide. She was a pleasure to spend a few hours with.

Very interesting history of this school (Arlington Baptist University)... the Vegas before Vegas place. Who knew!

As strange as it seems, Vickie Bryant, a Baptist minister's wife, knows a lot about
- the illegal gambling and drinking hidey-hole;
- those who came here 100+/- years ago and
- how this 'Vegas before Vegas industry' managed all the illicit dealings.
It is well worth the visit!

Vickie has obviously put her life into doing this and it makes for a wonderfully informative and interesting lecture. Thankfully, being in Texas in the heat, most of it is inside in the air-conditioning, but the outside part is also very interesting too. I have lived in this area all my life and had no clue that this existed. It is very reasonably priced and I will definitely be going back again and taking friends!

The (indoor) audio-visual presentation, narrated by curator Vickie, was comprehensive, informative and entertaining, interspersed with tidbits of history that she has picked-up over the years. Many related artifacts from the property are present in the presentation, too. This was followed by a short walking tour of the grounds, suitable for all except those who may have difficulty with narrow stairs or claustrophobia. Although largely low-key, a most interesting and very worthwhile short-dive into Arlington history!

The tour was amazing. Top 'O Hill Terrace was an illegal gambling/speakeasy during the prohibition era. The guide gave a very detailed presentation about the history of the place in regards to the owndership of it and all the celebrities who had visited it. She also had authentic historical items to show us as well. A tour of the actual building, the secret passage and the tea garden followed the presentation.

This was an awesome tour! The information presented was extremely detailed, well thought through and interesting. It is quite amazing the history behind this property. And the tour of the grounds afterwards was the icing on the cake. I highly recommend this to anyone traveling in the area!!

It was excellent. So interesting to learn all about this old casino and all the famous people that visited. The tour guide was fantastic in telling the story.

INCREDIBLE!! If you miss the tour of Top O Hill while visiting Arlington, have have done yourself a great disservice. Vickie, the docent/curator was a walking encyclopedia of everything Top O Hill and it’s seldom-heard-of history of Vegas before there was Vegas. You will not want to miss this over the top tour of Top O Hill Terrace.

Vickie Bryant does an excellent job of walking you thru the history of the under ground casino now turned into a Christian University. She has collected so many artifacts over the years and walks you thru the old casino, underground tunnels, original photos, and famous visitors like Bonnie and Clyde, Jack Ruby, Jack Norris, Fred Browning, and Bugsy Siegel.

A must experience glimpse into a forgotten era. Clandestine casino, underground tunnels and debauchery filled brothels turned house of the Lord. Vicki’s depth of knowledge and passion shine through as she takes you on a journey that includes the rich and famous, politicians, tycoons and outlaws. From what we are told, the story is not over. New evidence indicates additional tunnels may be uncovered soon! Book this tour and immerse yourself in the local history and culture here in Arlington Texas. (Tip: take someone you love on a date here! I did and she loved it.)

Wow! What a great and informative experience. I highly suggest a visit. Vickie has so much knowledge to share. I look forward to visiting again in the future, to see the new findings! Everyone, including my teenager, thought it was interesting, and even shared it with his teacher.

Love everything about the history, from the gangsters to the movie stars, was the place to go to let your hair down in the 20’s 30’s an 40’s. Guide was very knowledgeable.

The docent did a fabulous presentation. She explained in a comprehensive engaging fashion the history of prohibition which led to speakeasies, brothels, and casinos. The history is rich with accounts of local personalities, including local businessmen, hollywood stars, and infamous couples as Bonnie and Clyde.

My recommendation is to add this to your calendar. It will not disappoint.

Historic places can be dull and less than interesting. Not the Top O' Hill! Located on the old Bankhead Highway that in the 1930s was the main road that connected Dallas and Ft. Worth, Top O' Hill's address is now Division Street (aka Highway 180) that runs through the heart of Arlington, Texas. Once a popular gambling casino, yet hidden from the authorities with elaborate means of deception, the place was visited by the Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 40s, as well as gamblers and infamous types like Bonnie & Clyde. Vickie Bryant for 25 years has been researching how this den of sin transformed into Arlington Baptist College. A slide presentation, displays of artifacts, and a tour of the grounds works to transport visitors back to the past and all the fascinating things that happened over the years at Top O' Hill. $10 will get you the two-hour slide show and tour of this Vegas lifestyle before there was a Las Vegas. Don't miss it!

Vickie's tales of obtaining the stories and artifacts are fascinating on their own. 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.

We spent a lovely 2 hours learning about the history of a speakeasy and casino on the beautiful campus of a Baptist university.

Welcome to this visit to the past in Arlington, Texas where the ironic twist is that a previous hotbed of gambling, prohibition, brothels, gangsters and such is now the site of a Baptist college. Fascinating talk by an avid researcher reveals its checkered past; VIcky has painstakingly cobbled together bits and pieces of stories proven by eyewitnesses, letters, and news articles along with pieces of historic paraphenalia to provide visitors with a fascinating presentation. Famous visitors to the casino and grounds included celebrities, performers, and shadowy characters from the time period of the 1920's-1930's. The casino included escape tunnels and secret rooms for use during raids by the police. Hopefully funds to excavate and explore the grounds completely will eventually become available to make this a BIG tourist attraction, The story begs to be brought to life in a movie or documentary at some point, too. Meanwhile, the talk and visuals provided are a worthwhile way to spend your time and learn some history of the area. RECOMMENDED!

Vicky was so informational, there is so much history there and she does an amazing job presenting it. We will definitely go back and take friends and family!!👍🇨🇱

The tour was excellent, Vickie did such a wonderful job explaining everything. Seeing all the memorabilia from that age was so interesting.

My fiancé and I were in Arlington for a work convention that he was invited to. Before arriving, I looked up some fun things we could do while there. Let me just say.. I am SO GLAD to have come across Top O’ Hill Terrace. Although history never stuck with me in school, being able to see it, smell it and envision it is a completely different thing. Especially when its story is told with such passion! We took our tour with Vicky yesterday (April 7th, 2024), and we had a BLAST. Our tour time was originally scheduled for 5 pm, but we had other plans get cancelled, making us available earlier in the day. I called Vicky to see if she’s available, but if not then it’s not then we can wait- totally fine! She was so accommodating and didn’t mind coming earlier at all! She is the just the sweetest person with a genuine passion for the land and the history of the property and people involved. She records genuine interviews with individuals who have stories to share and their family members. She collects artifacts and showcases them beautifully! I absolutely love the fact that although she’s married to a pastor and has a religious background, she gave us soooo much unbiased facts and information. We loved getting to see pieces of history, walking through the building, and even touching the walls of the tunnel. She used a scientific instrument to help us visualize her theory of additional underground tunnels. We walked around the property and mentally mapped out a possible room and path that has yet to be uncovered. I absolutely believe that there are more tunnels hidden underground that will one day see the light of day again. I hope Vicky gets everything she wants, needs and more to help her display Top O’ Hill Terrace exactly the way it was in its prime.

Excellent tour! A great source of historical information with many visuals and items on display. We lived in the area over 40 years ago and returned to visit. This was one of the best stops we made while in the area. Very reasonably priced and you won't be disappointed.

Awesome experience! Vickie has done such a great job compiling all of the history. Have already recommended this tour to others.

An incredible story told by a very passionate storyteller, about a remarkable place, surrounded by history and mystique!

Just the surface has been scratched here to learn about the deep rooted history of Top O Hill.

My group of friends was inspired to visit after reading the recent publication of the book "The King of Diamonds"--about the history of the Dallas/Fort Worth elite. Vickie (Curator/Historian) is an excellent guide and storyteller. She showed us one of the tunnels, and walked
the lovely, cozy campus perched on a hill with its fascinating history and turn of events. I recommend taking advantage of listening to her wealth of information and stories!

Wonderful experience. Never knew there was so much history on Top O' Hill Terrace. Vickie has a wealth of knowledge to share. I think everyone that has an interest in history would love this and should go visit.

Wonderful and interesting tour of Top O' Hill Terrace. It is a top destination in Arlington, TX. Vicki did a nice job explaining everything!

Very informative. The lady truly understood the history of TOP O Hill Terrace and made our visit very enjoyable. Thank you so much!!

This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who visits Arlington! Miss Vickie did a fabulous job relaying the fascinating history of Top O Hill Terrace and I can’t wait to go back again and take my friends! What a fantastic story this is!!

I am president of the Kennedale Historical Society and we have had historian Vickie Bryant to speak at our meetings several times, but we have never actually taken the tour. Today our Historical Society group and friends toured Top O Hill Terrace and we were all mesmerized by the stories and artifacts that Vickie showed us. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves history.

This was a power point lecture about famous people that visited the casino in a small room- NOT A TOUR. I was expecting to see escape tunnels and other interesting remnants of the casino that was here before the college. However, that was not what happened.

When she finished her slide show we were led to the parking lot and told that she thinks there is an underground room under the asphalt parking lot (?) and when we asked where the tunnel was she showed us the entrance but informed us we couldn’t go in there because the kitchen is cooking today. :( (We booked this tour in advance! Why weren’t we told we couldn’t actually tour the escape tunnel?)

She showed us an empty swimming pool in a locked room after that. I was extremely disappointed.

Paid a $10 “Donation”.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Top O' Hill Terrace. The background history is amazing and presented in a clear and concise manner with photos, videos and memorabilia. I recommend this tour to everyone visiting the Arlington area.

As a native of Arlington, I had heard of the tales of casinos in town and the celebrities that visited, but the tour was far more than that. For a $10 donation you can’t find a better, more interesting way to spend a couple of hours. Vickie Bryant has done a wonderful job uncovering and documenting this fascinating history of old Arlington.

Fascinating and intriguing. Vickie Bryant was very knowledgeable and informative. Kept me wanting to hear more. I can hardly wait to go tour it again.

As a 50 year resident of North Arlington I found the tour and presentation absolutely fascinating! Even though I knew some of the history Ms Bryant’s presentation was full of interesting facts, artifacts and reminiscences from interviews of people who went there or worked there. A real hidden gem of Arlington history! Well worth the time!

Very interesting history. Never would have suspected all the forbidden illegal activities hidden that happened at this property. Amazing all the famous people that had been involved!

We had THE MOST FUN time visiting this place. The woman who guided our tour was extremely sweet and extremely knowledgeable about the property. Highly recommend it for Arlington locals and visitors alike. I had no idea there was that much history behind, or should I say under, this place and I've lived in Arlington for 41yrs. Our son is 13 and he loved it as well. We will be going back again soon.

So interesting and unexpected! To know all these things happened in Arlington. I hope they are able to fund a full exploration of their grounds someday. The small part we saw was fascinating!

I wanted to share my delightful experience with Vicky during our recent visit. She was absolutely wonderful! Vicky provided a wealth of historical information that was especially meaningful to me, given that I live nearby. It felt very relatable.
My mother, who accompanied me, happens to be from a rival state when it comes to college football. Where Vicky grew up in, which added a special touch to our visit. We had a great time with Vicky, who has a fantastic sense of humor and is extremely knowledgeable. She answered all our questions with ease and made our experience truly memorable.
Thank you for having such a remarkable person on your team.
Best regards,

This was my second visit and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. If you are a history buff, then this is definitely at the TOP. It's hard to explain the feeling you get when you are actually there. It's a fabulous historical retrospective on the struggle between sin and salvation during Prohibition years. The curator is Vickie Bryant who narrated her expert presentation that will leave you amazed. Thank you Vickie.

This is a must see! From a tea garden to hidden tunnels and gangsters/entertainers to religion… this tour has it all. Vicki is a treasure trove of information. My wife and I were amazed with how much she knows - Top O the Hill is such a crazy story and Vicki’s on a mission to have the world know what happened there.

Amazing history how this once thriving gambling place was transformed to a Bible college.

You get to hear the absolutely fascinating story of how the gambling was started, many famous names who went here (you might be surprised by some of them), and how a preacher's mission to run them out of town worked.

Authentic artifacts from that era, and escape tunnels that still exist.

If you are in the DFW area, this is a MUST SEE.

Absolutely love going here! Very interesting and the guide was wonderful and very informative. I highly recommend going here⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow... what a story and Vickie Bryant does a wonderful job telling it. Whether you live in the Metroplex or here visiting...this two hour tour will not disappoint!

Great tour! Host was very knowledgeable and entertaining !
Great history of the area and to think of all the people who gambled there!

Interesting to learn about the history of Arlington texas. So many famous people were there in the days it was in operation

Such an amazing place.. highly recommended. My mother in law & I enjoyed the tour, Vicki our tour guide was so knowledgeable & patient with us. She recommended places to eat aswell. This is a place not to miss while in Arlington, Texas.

Some content, I had to escort my 6 year old into the lobby or out of the room, so I missed part of the tour. The verbal presentation ran a little long. She tried to cram a lot of info into a slide show instead of incorporating it into the walking tour, making the walking tour more interesting. There was a lot of cool info, though.

Amazing experience with such a rich history. Miss Vicky is a beautiful storyteller with a clear passion for Top O Hill’s story. Not an experience that would be great for young children, but great for anyone else!

Top O' Hill Terrace is a fascinating place to visit. Vickie provided us with a wealth of interesting information and tour of the grounds. Definitely recommend!

Excellent two-hour tour experience, with a very knowledgeable presenter. Several genuine period artifacts onsite enhance the visit.

Highly recommend!

Top o Hill tour is a very is special tour. The shared stories of the who's who that visited and that are all part of the history of Top o Hill terrace and how it has evolved to today. I will certainly visit again. A must do when coming to Arlington.

Vickie spoiled us with history and facts about Top O' Hill Terrace. When we walked through the tour I felt like I went back in time and got chills knowing what took place there. Jesus is Lord!

This was an amazing adventure into the history of Arlington that we have not stopped talking about since. Vickie Bryant does a great job of telling the story of the Top O’hill. The tour is full of information, intrigue and fun! I cannot believe this is right here in Arlington! I hope this place is here for years to come.

Most amazing tour I’ve ever attended.
Vickie Bryant, tour guide and curator, passionately presented the history, artifacts, and videos telling this phenomenal historical story. Her 25 year tenure and research are unmatched by any other presenter in any field.
I Highly Recommend this tour to anyone, especially if they are interested in learning about the history of such an incredible place in Texas and worldwide implications. This tour has made a lasting impression with me, spurring a desire to learn more and visit again in the near future.
Thank you Vickie for your tireless efforts to present and preserve this fascinating place and historic impact.

Had always heard about this place being a speakeasy with tunnels to escape police raids. How interesting to learn the story behind it and see one of the tunnels first hand. Vickie tells great stories about the famous people who visited there in its heyday. It really demonstrates the history of illicit activities and fundamentalist religion in Texas.

There is so much Arlington history at Top O’ Hill Terrace that I knew nothing about. It was very interesting. Lots of famous people from the 1930s, 1940’s, 1950s and more were involved,

This attraction really opens your eyes to the glamour and glitz that once took place in the DFW area back in prohibition days. It seems unassuming at first, but once inside the marvels open first with the highly informative presentation. Artifacts collected are jaw dropping and enable you to experience the aura of those days as if present in it yourself. The guest list was very surprising as many well known and famous people visited this location for their gambling activities and the design of the casino and its tunnels underground awaken the mystique of what prohibition was all about. As a native Texan to the area I was surprised of how much history is located right here in DFW and to be able to open my eyes to the reality of it presented to me at my visit to Top O'Hill Terrace. I highly recommend this to both locals and outsiders. You won't be disappointed.

Excellent tour - very informative! I never realized the amount of gangster activity, gambling and sin that took place right under the noses of the police! This was truly “Vegas before there was Vegas”!

We didn't know what to expect but we were so glad we did this tour! Vicki has spent about 23 years developing this tour, and we were so impressed by what she has accomplished. Hope she can do some succession planning! It would be a shame if this tour didn't survive.

So glad we did this tour. Vicki the tour guide who has been gathering history of this place for the past 20 yrs was very engaging.
So many cool and suprising stories about the Terrance and people who visited, and quickly escaped before the got busted. Lol
As she tells the story of the goings on there you realize the people in that era were far from law abiding.
Im sure there is more stories to find and she will be the one to find them.
Thank you Vicki from us Ohioans

I highly recommend this tour! There is no substitute for the personal narrative. Years of research are warmly conveyed as from a new friend. Vickie Bryant is one of a kind! There is so much hidden history that would have been lost if not for her passion for the subject matter.

This was the best historical museum tour we’ve ever been on. The speaker was quite knowledgeable about the place and its surroundings. The time spent went quickly as it was so interesting.

This tour is excellent and has everything you could ask for - intrigue, famous names, regional color, historical significance, political scandal, dangerous outlaws, organized crime, secret passageways, personal stories and more, all in a tapestry that weaves it all together in the unlikeliest of places - a bible college, with a rich and surprising heritage producing very real spiritual significance that has touched countless lives.

Amazing history! Amazing tour! It’s crazy all the stuff that is hidden right below our feet! Thank You so much for the tour!

I love history, and this place is full! It is beautiful, amazing, and has a wonderful story of redemption. I can't say enough about this hidden gem!!! Our tour guide was amazing!!!

This was a wonderful informative tour. The host has done intensive research on the underground casino, and those who frequented it. The tour gives you an opportunity to walk through some of the underground tunnels that casino goers used for their escape during a raid. Fascinating. I highly recommend visiting Top O’ the Hill Terrace.

I’ve heard about this place and passed by hundreds of times over the years, so I finally went for a tour. Vickie knows her stuff and gives historically accurate (and some anecdotal, but reliable) information. You will leave there with a vivid picture of what life was like there back then. It would be amazing for them to continue the excavating and open up the remaining tunnels to the public!

Vicki, the woman that spoke has done alot of research on this place. I was so impressed with all the info. When I was a child we would sneak through the tunnels to get inside. I didn’t know what is was until I was an adult. They are still finding tunnels throughout this place.
Thank you for not erasing the History of this place!

Great presentation of the history of the site, interviews, and documentation of many events that happened at the Top O’Hill Terrace

A super facility and an outstanding presentation about the history of this place. Amazing how many famous movie stars, politicians, and gangsters came to this place back in its early days.

Top o Hill Terrace, an historic landmark on the campus of the Arlington Baptist University, has a tour that takes us back in time, to the age of prohibition, where gambling and prostitution thrived. What began as a tea room that offered teas and dinners to the locals in the 1920’s, it evolved into the gambling den owed by Fred Browning. Escape tunnels and secret room for gambling and stories of the rich and famous who spent time and money at Top O Hill come to life here. Take the tour. It is a fascinating piece of history.

So much history of Arlington and it's checkered past.
Vicki is very well informed and gives a very clear
and easy to understand presentation.

Asked my Aunt to go with me we had a wonderful experience i highly recommend. Vickie the tour guide and historian is extremely knowledgeable and makes it fun the time went by so quickly. I learned things I never knew about the city I call home. Vickie takes you back in time and brings it all back to life. Surprisingly I was the only guy in the tour. Bring your friends family coworkers never too many. Learn who some of the biggest stars were that visited back in that time. If walls could talk!

Our Seniors thoroughly enjoyed the tour! What a great field trip! Vicki was very knowledgeable and interesting! We will definitely be back!

No photos were needed to be taken, it was so interesting I bought the book! I was born and raised in Arlington and had no idea of its early history until it came up in a conversation I was having. Vicky, was so knowledgeable about about the early years at Top of the Hill. I never knew about the boot legging and gambling that went on. So interested and a must see!

We had an amazing experience I recommend the tour to anyone. We went September 13 2025 Billy and Jana on Saturday. Vicky gave a very informative historical tour.

This historical mark in Arlington was very enjoyable, learned a lot about the city I have lived in my whole life that I had no clue about. The story is fascinating and I recommend visiting.

Several of us from a church bible study group went to a Saturday afternoon tour.
It was a beautiful day and, of course, great to gather with the group. A large part of the approximately two-hour tour is the video presentation performed by the curator. She is extremely well versed in the history of Top O'hill Terrace and makes the presentation very personal and interesting. She supported the presentation with anecdotes supplied by previous tour participants and recorded portions of interviews. There is a lot of local history discussed and tie-ins to many celebrities (famous and infamous). The walking portion of the tour is brief but sufficient to make the tour even more of an event.
The Top O’hill Terrace tour was a great value for a $10 fee.

Visited on Friday Mar 20
Vicki was gracious and is a walking history book of Top o Hill
Great experience and more promo should be spent to let people know……a Texas treasure

It was so intriguing how the tunnels and the underground spaces were hidden below the buildings. Such interesting history relatively unknown by the community and surrounding areas in North Texas. It should be developed into a tourist attraction!

This was a GREAT and very interesting tour!! Vicky has done so much research and is full of information. HIGHLY recommend this tour!!

Vickie was such a wonderful host and a wealth of information. Her in depth descriptions and her interviews with people who have lived this era and told their own stories about Top O Hill was extremely intriguing and interesting. This place is a MUST if you’re in Arlington and this tour is going on!

We came out from California and we were not disappointed at all with this tour!! Absolutely would go again.

Thank you Vickie.

Fabulous presentation and tour. I've lived here forever and never knew all these details about Top O'Hill. Extraordinarily fascinating!!

Vicky Bryant has done an amazing job of gathering information, items and interviews with people who were involved in all aspects of this historic landmark. The location is an oasis in the midst of an otherwise flat and dry terrain. No wonder it was chosen for a tearoom, then an exclusive gambling hideout and finally a Bible College. The rich history of the place and the people involved are narrated by a woman who has put an unimaginable amount of effort, time and money into research. As a former Baptist pastor I was most interested in the connection of the place to J. Frank Norris and his Bible Baptist Seminary which is now the college that inhabits the property as Arlington Baptist University. But the history of the place is so fascinating it is a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in the history of the area, the history of celebrities of the 1920s-40’s, Prohibition era illegal activities, etc. Vickie is a gracious and knowledgeable host and her stories come from firsthand accounts in many cases. I highly recommend Top O’ Hill Terrace as a destination!

Great history and interesting stories. Cool to actually go in the escape tunnel. Vickie is super and very knowledgeable, she is a real gem.

We chose this activity because of the high reviews. We were not disappointed! Vicki was an engaging and knowledgeable host! We had a wonderful time!

Let me say at the outset that if you are hoping to tour dark tunnels and casino rooms, you will be disappointed. Most of the tour is a slide show by Vickie, who is very passionate and enthusiastic about the history of Top O’Hill Casino. My husband and I found the tour interesting because we love history, we knew most, if not all, of the actors and others who visited the casino, and we enjoyed all the stories and looking at the artifacts from the casino that Vickie has managed to gather. We did get to go through the remnants of one tunnel, walk up to the tea garden and see the swimming pool in the gym. We spent a lot of time on the tour, but it’s not for everyone, and definitely not for children of any age.

This is the kind of thing I love. Vickie was an amazing tour guide and such a great person. I highly recommend anyone who loves history to visit this place!

We had a group of about 30 to hear about the old historic casino location. Vickie Bryant gave an interesting talk with pictures telling the history of the place and what noted stars and singers visited. I wish we could have seen the tunnels, but I know now that is only available on Saturdays, as this is an operating Baptist school. Well worth your time if in the area or visiting!

I had no idea this place existed. The woman who gave the lecture was extremely knowledgeable and had great pictures, videos and artifacts. We did not get to see the casino/dining room because they were cooking there that day but it is usually in the tour. I knew about Ft Worth's and Dallas' seedy past in the 20's and 30's but had no idea about this gambling mecca in Arlington. Many famous people visited like Sinatra and
Gable and Mae West. It's well worth a visit.

Great place to visit. The history proves without any doubt that this place was indeed. “ Vegas before Vegas “
Having to walk through the tunnel and experience the tea-garden treat wad mind blowing. This for sure a place to visit.

What an unexpected surprise!! Really enjoyed Miss Vickie’s guided tour of the grounds and all of the historical artifacts!

Vickie has done a wonderful job of finding the history of Top O Hill Terrace!! She goes above and beyond! Such a wealth of Texas history

A really good historical review of such a unique history in Arlington. Very interesting. Geared for a few or larger groups. Very accommodating.

We’ve passed by this location for over 30 years and today we had the pleasure of touring it for my dad’s birthday. Vickie Provided so much history and knowledge and it was very fascinating to hear about All that had occurred there. Everyone should come check it out!!

So sorry I forgot her name. But she does the tours there. She knows her stuff. A very good day. Really learned a lot today. Thank her for the tour today 6/11/25

The lawless goings-on come alive on the tour with Vickie Bryant. It really gives the visitor pause to consider the notorious gambling, alcohol consumption during and after prohibition, the stables for prized racehorses, and the boxing matches where the boxers could cool off in a swimming pool specially built when pools were very rare. The entertainers and wealthy customers and mobsters who flocked to this very wild 'Hill' utilized escape routes in the form of tunnels when authorities got too close, while some unfortunate guests on the wrong end of a dispute exited by losing their very lives, ending up being devoured in the nearby pig farm. Reverend J. Frank Norris, who railed against this den of iniquity, did not live long enough to see his college purchase and preserve the 32 acres known as Top O'Hill Terrace and re-purpose it for seminary students as Arlington Bible College. God indeed works in mysterious ways.

A must visit! Who knew such rich history was in Arlington? Vickie is an absolute wealth of knowledge. As she puts it, it’s a story of redemption.

While the narrator was knowledgeable the 2 hour tour was 1.and.45 mi utes of slides and 15 minutes of actually "touring". If you are expecting to see the once famous casi on and it's under ground tunnels you are going to be disappointed. The story is interesting but lacks anything spectacular. Sorry, I can't say that it was much more than average.

What a pleasant surprise! Was invited last minute to take this tour and Vicki is a treasure trove of history and information about the history of this property! Wow!!! Who would have ever known!!! Taking my family when they are in town!

This is a must have experience for anyone who loves history. Vickie Bryant has done an incredible job putting together and preserving the rich and detailed story of Top O' Hill Terrace. I would highly recommend for anyone to schedule a tour as soon as possible. Not for small children.

Sally Rand, Frank Sinatra, Bonnie and Clyde and Bob Hope are just a few of the celebs and stars who once came to drink, gamble and -- if the inclination was there -- to be entertained by a standing roster of ladies of the night. It all happened right there on the west side of Arlington, now the home (the irony of it all) of Arlington Baptist University. Top O' Hill Terrace is a little-known but vital piece of local history involving gangsters, movie stars and Texas bigshots who had a thirst for prohibition booze, the thrill of gambling and loose women. Top O' Hill protected its clientele with elaborate alarms, underground rooms and escape tunnels that allowed customers to disappear when police raids materialized. Today's tours include an information-packed presentation and slide show from Vickie Bryant, whose late husband Dr. David Bryant became president of the Baptist college in 1993. It's a fascinating story with just enough salacious mystery to keep one itching for more.
-- Jim Reeves

Vicky Bryant was the most kind and engaging tour guide. Her passion for the history and story shine through. It was so interesting and engaging. I went with my teacher sorority, but I plan to return with my husband and teen sons. I have no idea such a colorful history exists in Tarrant County. I highly recommend this tour.

I went with Grandbury newcomers club to the The top of the hill terrace. Such an historic, secret, crazy and interesting place ! The woman who took us on our tour was funny and informative. Would definitely recommend checking it out…

Extremely interesting. The presentation was excellent and a great deal of interesting information. I was there for a presentation few years ago and I thought that presentation was very good. The difference this time was the presenter had more great information definitely has everyones attention.

I will definitely go back again. It was terrific!

The details that Vicky shared are amazing. We knew next to nothing about the history of Arlington, and now we can't stop talking about Top O'Hill Terrace. We walked into the escape tunnel, saw furnishings from the illegal gambling hall and heard stories about a lot of the infamous visitors. I can't wait to bring another group of friends to hear about
this landmark.

Curator and historian Vicki Bryant has spent the last 24 years collecting the history of this unique site in the city of Arlington. It can be characterized as moonshine and poker during the 30s. She makes history come alive with memorabilia and stories collected from descendents of those who visited this casino, which can be characterized as Vegas before Vegas. The stories of both legal and illegal activity are very entertaining and curious. Schedule a tour at TopofthehillTerrace.com

Was awesome, Vicki Bryant is an excellent tour guide that knows the site like the back of her own hand, would go again! The site deserves more attention than it gets!

Felt like stepping back in time. Fascinating tour and presentation on local gambling, celebrity, and criminal history. Ties together all the characters to one place. Ms. Bryant, the curator, deserves many thanks for sharing and preserving. She is a treasure too! Can’t wait to see if there’s more hidden secrets to discover. I’ll be back!

I enjoyed listening to the history of Arlington during the prohibition era. It was informative, interactive and fun. Lots of cool artifacts too.

The tour guide was super nice! Her presentation was absolutely fantastic, she teaches you about what the gangsters did. You got to go down where the gamblers would mostly travel, very interesting

My wife and I had a wonderful tour at Top O' Hill Terrace. Vickie Bryant was an amazing tour guide and hostess. She is so knowledgeable about the history, people, and events of that forgotten era. It was an entertaining and engaging presentation. The zenith of the visit was going into the basement of the administration building to peer down into the secret escape tunnel that the notorious casino patrons used to evade the raids by law enforcement! There is also a second partially-uncovered tiled get away tunnel that you can look into. Vickie and her tour of Top O' Hill are true gems of the DFW area. Take advantage of this awesome opportunity! You will not regret it.

Who knew this historical past of North Texas existed? What a fascinating visit TO TOP OF THE HILL! I highly recommend this tour of the forbidden and salacious history of ARLINGTON ,TEXAS.

Just finished an amazing presentation and tour of Top O’ Hill in Arlington Texas. The information shared as an hour long, oral history with a slides, is amazing proof that this was the real “Vegas before Vegas” in the 1920’s & 1930’s right here at the highest point in Tarrant County. The secret rooms, tunnels, and fake displays all to distract law enforcement are fun to see.
The best part is that the location is now Arlington Baptist University. It is also now a Texas Historic Site! Quite a find indeed.

The history itself is unbelievable, but Vickie adds another dimension with her personal relationship to the research and the perspective of the college that now sits on the site! First stop anytime I have guests in town!

I have lived here for decades and never knew the history of this"Vegas before Vegas". It was captivating listening to the stories of the gangsters, movie stars, sports figures , etc. that came here for the secret underground gambling. I will go again.

I have lived in this area for over 25 years. I heard good things about Vickie Bryant's Top O'Hill Terrace tour, and I finally went on the tour with a friend. Vickie's presentation was very educational and interesting. The long history of the Top O'Hill Terrace was supported by news clippings, relatives documentation and testimonies of events, old photo graphs and objects from the past. We toured the grounds and tunnels. It was a delightful couple of hours.

Living in Arlington for 43 years, I have wanted to visit the Top of the Hill Terrace for a long time. It did not disappoint. Vickie gave such an interesting talk about the history and the building itself with the tunnels and the underground casino that has been unearthed was wonderful!

I've been multiple times and enjoy each visit as much as I did the first time. There's always new info added to Vickie's informative and interesting presentation -a tribute to her dedication to expanding knowledge of this historical gem. She is an amazing g lady and has spent 26 yrs sourci g artefacts and stories regarding Vegas before Vegas.

I visited with a small group of friends and very impressed with the background given by Vickie Bryant who has devoted 25 years exploring all of the history of this place. Her narration was wonderful! The tour around the building Fred Browning built and concealed a gambling hall and speakeasy. A great place to go back in time.

I was giving some friends from England a tour of DFW. They were interested in seeing sights related to JFK and I knew this school used to be a casino and that a lot of celebrities and maybe some organized crime were involved. Even though I grew up in Arlington I had never made the time to visit. There's so much history still left underground and unexplored - I hope the city or some benefactor decides to invest because there's so many escape tunnels left hidden and unexplored - this tour will just leave you wanting more! Ask about going to see where Oswald is buried just down the road!

Our tour guide Vickie was absolutely fabulous. She was so informative and just told us story after story. We really appreciated her interest and love for the history of Top O'Hill - which there is plenty. Our group were all local ladies so it was interesting to all of us due to being able to relate to names and areas involved. She spent so much time with us and we really appreciated her time and wisdom !

Was an awesome tour! The tour guide who has been there from the very beginning is amazing. This definitely is something I’d come do again!

This was a wonderful look at Vegas before there was Vegas. If you have any historical interest in Texas history, local history, prohibition, or gambling, this is the place to be. There are oral and video histories to supplement a tour of the grounds.

What an amazing experience! All ages are certain to enjoy this. I will certainly take visitors to this!

This was such a great tour! We only got a small one because we got there at the end of the day, but Vickie was nice enough to share some stories and show us around a bit. I can’t wait to go back for the whole tour.

Be prepared to enter a time machine back to the days of Prohibition when you are entertained by your guide Vicki Bryant. This preacher's wife, a force of nature AND a master story teller, weaves a tale that ends with her own family's connection to bootleggers!! Her tale of redemption is a one-woman mission! She is very appreciative of people who take the tour and then share their own connection to the speakeasy!
The tour is G-rated, but children would probably be bored. Adults on the other hand will be sitting on the edge of their seats when Vicki starts sharing tales of the famous and infamous. Be sure to call ahead to see if you will be allowed to enter one of the underground tunnels--a real experience!

Wow!! What an interesting history of a location that’s right under my nose as I’ve lived in the area for 15 years. Everyone in our group sat in rapt attention for the entire presentation. Vicky is a super sleuth and has dug up so many details, facts and articles to support the historical account. Many witnesses have given testimony and even donated articles, all on display or included in the tour. My mom went with me and we both were fascinated. 5 stars!!!!!

So much history of the 1930s and 1940s in an unexpected place. Vickie gives a wonderful tour and has a real passion for this. Who knew there was a Vegas before Vegas?!?! The collection of memorabilia is amazing. If you want to know how a gambling site ended up at a Baptist Unversity, go. This is a must stop if you’re in the Dallas/Arlington area

We took this tour with family and friends as part of a birthday celebration. The talk and tour by Vickie was a fascinating insight into the storied past of the beautiful Top O' Hill Terrace. Her personal connection to this historical site lends credibility to the entire presentation. The story itself is an amazing look into the colorful and sordid history of this location. The amazing transformation of Top O' Hill Terrace from a prohibition era gambling house/ speakeasy into the modern day Arlington Baptist University defies belief. Vickie's ability to tell this true life story will keep you wanting to know more. We all enjoyed the tour! Thank you Vickie!

It’s a great tour, very informative, and super interesting! 10/10 would recommend to come visit with family and friends!

This place was a suprise . Much work was done to put together tour. Wish the escape tunnels or tunnel 1 of 8 could be seen. Wild times !

Fascinating step back in time to an era of bootleg whiskey and gangsters. Very knowledgeable tour guide. You can read about this time period in US history, but this tour gives you the chance to experience it.

Great presentation and tour. Visit a bit of Texas History. Gambling and nightlife in early ArlingtonTexas. Well worth the time.

This was such an amazing experience! Vickie really knows her stuff and does such an amazing job detailing the shocking history of this place!! You can only tour the tunnels on the weekends so be prepared for that but even without being able to see the tunnels we all still had such an amazing time!

Fascinating insight to the city’s history. You won’t be sorry you went. The guide was so informative and interesting. Would love to go again.

It was such a cool and fun experience!
I loved hearing the history and seeing th cool stuff!
I would totally recommend going!

Very Interesting. Well worth the time to learn about the struggle between good and evil. Tour guide is quite knowledgeable of what went on during Prohibition here in Arlington, TX.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Top O'Hill Terrace. Helped us understand the mysticism and heritage of the property.

Fantastic tour given by Vickie! I have lived in the DFW Metroplex for over 30 years and just found out about this place from the group I attended the tour with. Vickie has spent decades researching and interviewing people who worked at or are related to people who worked at Top of the Hill when it was an illegal casino. The number of famous people who gambled at the place boggled my mind. The stories she tells are riveting. The campus grounds are beautiful. Of course the highlight was being able to walk down one of the tunnels used as an escape during raids. Wear sturdy shoes. Parts of the tunnel were steep. This is truly a hidden historical gem in Arlington, Texas.

It was a very interesting & informative tour. Vicki was an amazing storyteller! The tour was 2 hours and I was fully engaged the entire time.

This tour is fantastic ! Vickie did an amazing job of giving so much history of the origins of this place. The tour was two hours long but I wish it had lasted longer. I’ll probably go again just to hear it all again!live lived in Arlington most of my adult and never knew the “Vegas “ like history of Top O’ Hill Terrace. So entertaining. If you are visiting the Arlington area it’s a must see

Excellent tour!
Very well done!
Vickie Bryant has built and supported the entire historical site and tour single handedly.
Her effort is just as impressive as the historical site itself.
I would recommend the tour highly!!

This experience was one of the most enjoyable I've had touring different locales in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex. The private tour of the property, the slide presentation beforehand, and the history lessons from our tour guide, Vicky Bryant, were so detailed and 'personalized' I felt like I was living in that era. The decades of research that have been done (primarily by Vicky herself) were obvious in the level of detail and explanation shared with us during the presentation.
This is truly a 'hidden gem' that more people need to be made aware of. I wish that the Historical Society, private donors, and anyone else with financial resources would step up and provide more assistance to further the research, restoration, and support the fact-finding efforts to make the Top O'Hill Terrace a fabulous peek back in history.

Top O' Hill Terrace is a fascinating historical experience about the good and the bad side of Tarrant County. It is now the home to the Arlington Baptist University but it used to be an outstanding one-of-a kind gambling place for the rich and the famous. In just a matter of minutes it changed from a roaring casino to a tea room when the police would arrive. The stories told by the very knowledgeable Mrs. Vickie Bryant about the tunnels, secret rooms, and famous visitors from movie stars to gamblers to mobsters are so interesting. For a very modest donation, you get an enthralling tour!

I have lived in Arlington for 50 years and never been here. The campus is beautiful, but what makes it unique is the history behind Top O’Hill. If you’re a history buff or not, you will find this place fascinating! The tour guide will fill you in and show artifacts from the actual 1930’s casino. It’s an amazing history! Wish we could have stayed longer!

I enjoyed this visit much as I did the first two! It is so fascinating! I like bringing friends along who haven’t been before so they can experience the intriguing history of this place too. Vickie does a great job of presenting the information that she has spent years in uncovering and documenting.

This 1920’s era real life speakeasy is a bit of Texas history you will never forget. Major players, including actors, famous outlaws, and big business sorts frequented Top ‘O The Hill. Mrs. Vickie will take you on a tour of gambling, boot-legging, carousing, entertainment, and murder surrounding this history rich, but still being discovered today, landmark along the old Bankhead Highway. Put it on your bucket list, and make it happen. You’ll not regret your decision!

Vickie has wonderful knowledge of what happened here years ago. She has done a lot of research over the years.

I can’t say enough about our experience at Top O Hill! It was absolutely incredible! RV’ing from Canada we just happened upon it and gave the number a call. Vickie answered and in no time we were taking the tour! Vickie took us back in time with her stories, pictures ,videos and artifacts. It was not a story being told by someone who’d rehearsed it a million times but by a woman who has spent time researching the history and talking to people. You can see how passionate she is about it and how she loves to tell the stories that have been told to her! The history is just awesome! Go and see this tour you definitely won’t be disappointed! Thank you Vickie so very much for the wonderful afternoon! Your Canadian friends Dan and Kyla

Very interesting and historical tour! I enjoy history so this was the perfect experience. The tour guide was very passionate and knowledgeable.

Vicki was very knowledgeable. It was a fantastic tour. A lot of history. This is a must stop for anyone that loves history.

It’s always such a treat when a tour guide like Vicky can bring history to life. Top O’ Hill Terrace has such a wild and fascinating backstory—gambling, secret tunnels, speakeasies—it’s like something out of a movie!

So rich & full of history. Loved all the stories of the past. Slide presentation was very good with the old pictures. The wands to find the tunnels was very intriguing.

Top o the hill terrace is located on the arlington baptist college grounds.
Our guide was very dedicated to relating as much detailed facts as possible to what is currently known and hopefully can reveal more in the future if further work can be funded, there truly is more history and facts that are still hidden. Our guide gave us such an extensive view, you can't help but feel you've stepped back in time.
It is a must see hidden gem! The history this place holds, is incredible!

It was an excellent experience. We learned a lot about the history of Arlington. She gave us a wonderful tour through the buildings. We enjoyed seeing the evacuation areas underneath the flooring. Her presentation was great!

HOLY COW! This was AMAZING! Amazing and painstaking research has been done by Vicki. I can't believe all the deep, dark, seedy "things" this place has seen. TRULY worth a tour!!!

Talk about a true hidden gem. This casino from the early 1900s is buried under a baptist college!. During prohibition (long before the college) it was THE place to be seen in the DFW area. Many well known names frequented the club from starlets to gangsters. The tour is extremely informative and reveals secrets NO ONE COULD GUESS. Highly recommend this site.

Wow! So much history in this place! I absolutely enjoyed learning all about it. I'm so glad I found Top 'O Hill Terrace when searching for sites to visit. I need to purchase the book about it and wil definitely visit again.

We had such an interesting visit at Top of the Hill Terrace. So much rich history to learn about. A little jewel in the heart of Arlington. They need our support, as much needs to be done yet to keep this part of the history of a bygone era of gambling, bootlegging, mobsters, movie stars, and redemption alive.

My friends and I went on the tour. If you are interested in gambling and celebrities you will love it. Very interesting what they had to go through to have all that fun. I wish I had been around.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Vickie Bryant was interesting and had a wealth of fascinating information to share. I recommend and encourage you to bring your friends to learn the hidden secrets at Top O’Hill Terrace!

Vickie Bryant is a treasure. She will walk your group through all the starts of the 30s and 40's that came to Top O' Hill and then discuss the illegal drinking and gambling that took place below the facility, the tunnel and the characters those things brought. She then tells how a brave individual brought about the shut down of the facility and how it now advances the Kingdom of God. This was historic and fun , definitely worth the time.

This place is fascinating!! Excellent tour. My family thoroughly enjoyed it. Vicki, the presenter/tour guide is great at telling the many stories that she has collected about this place.

The Tour is fantastic! It was 2 hours of fantastic stories and visuals. We loved seeing the grounds and looking at the memorabilia. The original Roulette wheel was very impressive.

This was a great tour! The docent was extremely knowledgeable and personable. It was a 2 hour tour & very well done. Loved the escape tunnels ❤️

Great tour by founder and curator Vickie Bryant. Slides, video, and talk etc.. She has lots of anecdotes from people who were there and their descendants. She used divining rods to show where underground passages are believed to be. Got to go in an escape tunnel. $10 was a bargain for a two hour "show". Vickie is getting older so get there soon.

What a wonderful history lesson we received from Vickie, so many interesting stories of the transition from the “Top of the Hill Terrace” to the Arlington Baptist University as it sits on the hill today!

The grounds are beautiful and the tea house site is full of Historical events and remembrances of movie stars, famous athletes and other celebrities, all meeting at the Top of the Hill. Bygone times full of gambling, music, dancing and more. Followed by the amazing turnaround to what is there today!

Highly recommend this adventure in the Arlington area, definitely a highlight of our trip to Texas!

Mrs. Bryant gave a spectacular tour worthy of decades of labor of love researching this part of history and collecting artifacts. Many aspects of local, state, and national history of the time were also tied together. The property itself is truly scenic and offers a tremendous view in many directions, especially if you walk to the very top. Please, please put this on your schedule and go.

So much hidden history! It was amazing to hear about all the visitors and performers who frequented this unassuming historic site during its heyday. The curator and tour guide Vicky has accumulated so many firsthand accounts and artifacts that really bring this time period to life. I'm grateful that the college has allowed the public to tour and learn about the evolution of this property. I certainly hope the City of Arlington and UTA will invest in further excavation, restoration and preservation of this local historical treasure.

Your host Vicki, does an amazing job telling the history of Top O’ Hill. She has studied its history for over 25 years and is very knowledgeable. You don’t want her talk to end. But the tour comes next and it was so interesting to see where the casino was and walk through the underground tunnel. You will not be disappointed if you take this tour.

Vicky, the tour guide, was knowledgeable and entertaining. A strong good Christian woman with a wonderful story for the tale of a once underground place of debauchery to now a redeemed Baptist college. May the brave people of this country tell the truth as we still are finding the corruption that went on before World War II. The true heros are those like Dr. J. Frank Norris who care about the souls during the life beyond this world. Amen!

I went to Top O' Hill Terrace with my senior group. It was very interesting & informative. I loved the original artifacts they had. I was amazed at all the famous people who visited the casino. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is a history buff

What an incredible place! This tour revealed such central history to DFW. You’d never know what this simple Bible college had hidden underground

Vicki is absolutely incredible! What a magnificent ministry she has been called to and how she does it with excellence. We loved hearing all of the history and seeing the story of how God redeemed this place for His Kingdom.

We have lived in the DFW area including Arlington for 40+ years and never knew of this place. Several friends suggested we go for the tour and we did yesterday.

It is a fascinating experience hosted by a most interesting and knowledgable host. Actually, that is understated. She has a wealth of historical knowledge and has met more famous people than one can easily summarize.

All of this from a rather non-prominent location and she being the sole promoter, tour guide and caretaker.

If you have the time, take the tour and you will leave with good memories of a unique experience.

Great history lesson. Vicki has a million dollar story to tell. The 2 hours flew by in flash. A story of gambling, music, dancing, boxing and more.

Great history and presentation. So much detail and interesting stories. So many famous people came to Top O Hill Terrace. Gangsters and Hollywood actors would come to gamble and be entertained.

We had a local group and most of the visitors had not been on the tour before. It was great to go into one of the tunnels and see the swimming pool!

Vickie was a wealth of information and had a true passion to share the Top O’ Hill experience. We were greeted by her while big band music from the prohibition era played. She started promptly and finished within two hours.

We watched videos, she shared pictures and artifacts. We even were able to go down in one tunnel. She shared history of all the famous people who visited and only shared those stories of which she had first hand knowledge. She also shared the plans for the renovations for the site. When the money is raised this could bring a lot more visitors in to Arlington.

Please email Vickie and plan a trip. You won’t be disappointed.

Really cool history in my own backyard. I've lived in Arlington for my entire life and had kinda known about the place but had never visited. We finally did and it blew my mind. The lady who gave the tour knew so much it was like she lived it. She had some great pieces from the original home and even had a roulette wheel from the casino! The best part was actually getting to see where they accidentally found a tunnel while working on the college. We will definitely go again to soak in what I'm sure we missed!

Vickie Bryant was captivating in narrating the history of this casino turned Bible Seminary School. Back in the days, the location and its layout made it ideal for casino operations and this under the nose of the local enforcement entities. You have to visit to find out how.

Went to the Top O’ Hill Terrace just before Thanksgiving on a whim, was blown away at the history here. The amount of notable individuals who used to frequent here was outrageous, and the curator had so many personal stories of meeting with many of their descendants. Cannot emphasize how much you should visit here! Don’t forget to check the underground prohibition tunnel and see if you can locate where the undiscovered underground structures remain!

I grew up in the Ft. Worth area and didn't know one thing about this place and its history. Vicky has done an incredible amount of research and is dedicated to this one-woman operation, bringing the unknown-to-many history of this place to life.

Top O’ Hill Terrace is a must-see tour for old-time Arlington history. You would never guess it. “Vegas Before Vegas”, and right here in the Bible Belt, LOL. Ms. Vickie has obviously spent many years accumulating knowledge of the history of the place that is a prohibition-era speakeasy casino - turned Baptist College. Very interesting ! I recommend setting up a tour on a Saturday, when the college is not in session, and the kitchen and dining hall not in use, so you can see one of the escape tunnels. If you like history of the unusual, celebrities and gangsters, the sacred and profane, this is for you.

What a hidden gem! Absolutely riveting presentation of slides and stories of this former speakeasy/gambling den and its famous patrons from a bygone era! This was topped off by a visit through one of the clandestine tunnels used to get folks out quickly during a police raid. Beautiful grounds as well as a lovely "top o' the hill" view.

WOW! What a surprising and fascinating history, right here in Tarrant County! Went with a group of friends, and were BLOW AWAY by the history and the docent, Vickie, who shared the rich history of this place! A treasure that we HIGHLY recommend! You will NOT be disappointed!

Seven of us took the tour, four from out of town and everyone was very impressed not only of the historical events that took place there but also by Vickie Bryant the curator and person giving the history. I went 6 or 7 years ago and there were enough changes to the program to keep in interesting.

There are secret tunnels that are there. Also the tour guide, Vickie, was amazing and she made the tour so good for kids!!

My husband and I visited Top O'Hill Terrace while in Arlington for the weekend and it greatly supassed our expectations! The history, momentos and the tour itself were incredible. Vicki is a walking encyclopedia of the place, its famous visitors, and the hidden tunnels and other fascinating aspects of it.
Don't expect a quick trip--we were there for almost 3 hours and enjoyed every second of it!

We have so much history right here!! Fascinating, some riveting, & all on a now Christian college campus! I definitely recommend this tour.

Very interesting - learning about the bootleggers, gambling and some of the famous people who were there. Vicki is very knowledgeable and has done so much research on Top ‘O Hill. Would recommend this tour.

Really interesting history of this decades old college campus/casino/brothel etc etc. Two hour presentation was very interesting with lots of slides and historical items. Who knew that so many famous people visited this hide-away in ARLINGTON? Very little walking.

If you love local history this place is a must. The guide Vickie has done research and presents her information in an interesting style. I know gambling existed in the area but not who gambled and entertained at Top O"hill.

Rich, fascinating history of gambling, debauchery and murder told by a jewel of a human being with a blushing fascination and passion for what has been discovered, as well as the secrets not yet unearthed. It is difficult to imagine anyone who would not enjoy this story.

Great tour. Very informative. Recommend to anyone that wants to learn past history in Arlington. Great research has been done on this.

Mark this as a "Do Not Miss" visit if you are in the DFW Metroplex. Vickie delivers a passionate and informative presentation that thoroughly explains the rise and fall of the illegal gambling casino and the celebrities who frequented it. The history of Tarrant County, TX just isn't complete until you've visited Top O' Hill Terrace and seen for yourself the place where prohibition gambling, and old time religion were on a collision course. I'm making plans to revisit this site soon!

Shame on me for never have taken this tour, even though I lived in Arlington for couple of decades during the seventies and eighties, and even having worked with many ABC students, hearing their sordid and seamy tales of the campus. I am fairly knowledgeable about drinking and gambling, even though I don't indulge myself, but more from the Jacksboro Hwy and Las Vegas end of things. She was able to make it all come alive for me, even having a taped deposition, of which I had only read the transcript. Highly recommended and very entertaining. Once she finishes the "wrap" around the presentation room, "I'll be back."

Wonderful, wonderful trip. Lived in Fort Worth for over 40 years and had no idea this existed. Vickie Bryant took on this project and she showed a labo of love with her 25 year commitment to this project. Well done....definitely worth seeing.!

I never knew this was in Arlington. A hidden gem for sure. The stories this place has to tell are incredible. All of the work that has gone into this is amazing and I'm so glad I got to see it.

Great informative deep dive into the history of an amazing place that's seen many incarnations through the years from a pleasant getaway, to a notorious den of iniquity, and finally a place of faith, learning, and ministry.

There is a lot of fun memorabilia as well and the grounds, tunnels, and buildings are fun to see and explore.

Visit with my family and was very impressed by all the history in this place. A must see attraction in Arlington with a very interesting story.

It was nice and interesting about the tunnel and popular people. Nice tour around the outside and swimming pool.

This is a hidden gem in the DFW Metroplex. I had sort of heard of it, but then saw a newspaper article. The presentation and tunnel tour was fascinating. I had no idea that Top O' Hill Terrace was THE place for celebrities around the country to visit. Be sure to buy the history picture book (by Vickie, the presenter and tour guide) on your way out.

History in our backyard! What a wonderful tour full of great history and stories! Everyone in DFW should take time to do this!

The tour was great! Vickie gave a great presentation that was very thorough. She was great at engaging the audience and asking/answering questions. Following the presentation she walked us around the grounds and showed us some of the discovered tunnels. I would definitely recommend the tour!

Excellent tour given by Vickie. Interesting historical facts and amazing stories provided. Vickie is such a great storyteller. An Arlington treasure.

Absolutely Fantastic!
This was the most enjoyable tour of a local historical attraction that I've ever taken.
Although I'm a life-long resident of the area, Vickie Bryant imparted information that I never knew existed. Gambling / Gangsters / Murders / Moonshine / Brothel / Vice Raids / Famous Celebrities / Fire & Brimstone Preachers... This tour has it all... If only I could step back in time and experience such a fantastic place! It's definitely a visit to add to your 'bucket-list'!
Note to City Of Arlington: Spend the money & uncover & develop the forgotten tunnels & rooms that still remain buried! .

If you didn't guess Top 'O Hill Terrace you may have guessed incorrectly!

We just visited the location for a second time and learned a bunch more about the scandalous history of this part of North Texas!

Now home to Arlington's Arlington Baptist University is was also the location of a nightclub and gambling establishment from approx 1920 thru the 50's. Many of the day's most famous and infamous personalities visited the site.

Great to see the underground tunnel and other aspects of the, at the time, high tech methods used to avoid detection by the authorities.

Vicki Bryant give a fantastic tour and has many, many interesting anecdotes to convey.

If you don't know about Top 'O Hill you don't really know North Texas History!

A must see when in the area.

This is a fascinating place. I grew up near here and was completely unaware of its sordid history. This is well worth two hours of any ones Saturday.

Interesting presentation and tour of Arlington, Texas Top O’Hill Terrace ‘s connection to the prohibition days of the 1920s and 1930s.

I lived in the area for many years and didn't know this existed. It's an interesting piece of history and the tour guide is very knowledgeable and has done it for 25 years. Go on the weekend when the tunnels used during raids by the authorities are open.

Having heard Vickie Bryant give an abbreviated talk in the local area, I knew this would be a good tour. However, it was not just good; it was amazing! Vickie is incredibly knowledgeable and clearly is a one-person preservationist of the history associated with this underground (literally) gambling casino turned Baptist university. Well worth the time to visit and soak up the history which is not well known even by people living in the area.

A must visit / tour if you love history!

I have attended Vicki's presentation a 1/2 dozen times and I am so intrigued at the continually changing information she presents. This is because, over time, she receives documentation of new stories and verification of existing stories.

My favorite part of her tour is seeing/learning about the 'underground tunnels'. They were used for 'guest' to escape through, if a alcohol/gambling raid was about to take place.

I will be going again a seventh time for sure! That is how much I love this attraction!
Don't miss it, here in Arlington, in our own backyards!

A very interesting bit of history that no one in my group ever knew about. It really took our attention!! Many of use have lived in the DFW area for years or whole lives and never knew that this hidden gem was here! Vicki Bryant the curator was phenomenal at presenting us with so many facts, we could’ve stayed for hours listening to her stories! Thank you for a wonderful trip.

What a hidden gem. The curator and docent Vicki has done an amazing job putting together an important history of the area. Well worth the two plus hour time spent. Will definitely bring other family members over. Not great for smaller kids as it is a lot sitting listening and watching the pictures.

Amazing hill top view from the Rose Garden and lovely campus. Incredible Fort Worth, Arlington, & Tarrant County history told by the amazing curator, Vickie Bryant. We hope all of her dreams and prayers come true!

Who knew about this place? I did not and I live in the area. A MUST SEE experience, to learn the history of gambling and drinking that was going on, back in the day, as they say.

A place for the high society elite of Dallas - Ft. Worth to visit as well as attracted many huge Hollywood Stars such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Almost forgot, a Bonnie and Clyde hang out!

Vickie leads an amazing experience for you to actually see the grounds in addition to a wonderful presentation of all the history.

A hidden gem of a tour in Arlington. Get the word out now- there’s quite the history on the campus of Arlington Baptist College. Tea, Casino, brothel, celebrities, music, and more in the 1930s. A jaw dropping story is presented with fascinating pictures, artifacts, a peek at underground tunnels, and a chuckle. The irony of location is appreciated. Very fun and enlightening two hours. I highly recommend this tour.

Horrible neighborhood, not much to it, didn’t bother with tour, nothing to see but an old patio. I don’t have anything else to add but have to meet minimum number of characters

Interesting, vivid stories about the how this beautiful hilltop site has been used over the past 100 years. It was Vegas before Vegas! The one escape tunnel we could go through was very cool, but the site has been mundane so long now that there's very little else to see, so most of your time is spent sitting in a chair in a room full of artifacts. If you appreciate listening to well-told stories that will amaze you, go soon.

Mrs. Vickie Bryant has put a lot of work into preserving this piece of Arlington's history, and is very knowledgeable about Top O' Hill Terrace and the property on which the University sits. As a former student of Arlington Baptist University I know more now about the campus and its history than I knew while I was attending there. I would recommend taking the tour, and getting a chance to learn all about a part of Arlington's past.

Vickie was the perfect guide for my nephew and my experience! She knew and shared amazing story after amazing story about the history of the top of the hill….from it’s physical past and present structures to all of the fascinating people that have been associated with the tea room, casino, and last the college. All woven into a compelling narrative that kept us spellbound for 2 hours.
I’d heard and read about top of the hill for years but Vickie brought it all to life in one far too short morning’s lecture and tour!
I highly recommend this tour….and a tantalizing glimpse into our fascinating past! Thank you Vickie for your tour but more importantly thank you for gathering and curating this piece of history. Truly enjoyed the experience!!

Loved it! Our guide, Vickie, was great! She’s very passionate and knowledgeable about the history. Good mix of watching a slide presentation and walking the tunnels and grounds. So many famous people visited the casinos. Movie stars, sports legends, and gangsters. This wasn’t my 1st time I’ve taken the tour. I bring my out of town guests here when I can. They also love it!

Went with 8 members of our family, all of us Arlington born and bred. It was fascinating to hear the history of this place right in the middle of our town. I had only a faint idea that the property had been used for gambling nearly a hundred years ago. Also: for a really flat town, it was pretty great to be up on a hill and see all the way to Fort Worth. Made me realize just how flat Arlington really is!

They have lots of interesting information and are great at teaching the history of Arlington and the people who have lived or visited there.

Vicky gave us a marvelous background slideshow and told us the history of the gambling casino in use long before it was legal. Then she took us on a tour of the grounds! We enjoyed every minute!

After only living in this area for 3 years, our church scheduled a trip to this place. I had no idea about the Top O'Hill Terrace until we took the tour there. Once my husband and I entered, we noticed this was Arlington Baptist University! What history was behind this place? During the 1930's this place was also known as Top "Hill Terrace, a tea garden with over 30 acres of land set above Arlington looking down below. Vicky, our tour guide gave a very rich and informative dark historical presentation behind this Baptist University's former owner's use for illegal activities. The tour started in the basement of what Frank Browning's former property was used for and that was illegal gambling, a brothel on site, secret tunnels for gamblers, bootleggers, and mobsters used to escape once police were tipped off to what was going on inside from time to time. There are still several underground tunnels that have yet to be uncovered as you will see the tour guides presentation. This property also had a lush tea garden, horse stables, and a huge swimming pool as well which covered up what was really going on during those the tumultuous days of prohibition. I don't want to give away too much about those who came to visit but there were several eyewitnesses to events there that have been documented and you will be surprised to know how this place was the "Vegas before Vegas". Come visit for yourself!

Very informative from an era that I was not familiar with. Tour guide was very knowledgeable with many interesting stories