April 9 Events Commemorate Arlington Downs, Bankhead Highway and Top O’ Hill Terrace
By Desire' Lynn Nesmith
Posted on April 04, 2016, April 04, 2016

Decades ago, the Arlington Downs racetrack and Top O' Hill Terrace casino were prominent entertainment destinations in Arlington. Both were located off the Bankhead Highway, a transcontinental highway that cuts through the city.

On April 9, Arlington city and community leaders will honor these three landmarks and revisit their glory days through musical entertainment, a vintage car show, a costume contest, tours and more.

First, the Landmark Preservation Commission will dedicate a local historical marker at the site of the former Arlington Downs racetrack.

Arlington Downs racetrack, was built by William Thomas "W.T."Waggoner in 1929 at a cost of $2 million. The race track was in business until 1937 when legislation outlawing racetrack betting led to the demise of horse race betting. The track was then used for rodeos and other events until 1958.

The historical marker ceremony is set for 10 a.m. April 9 at the Everest College - Mid Cities Campus, 300 Six Flags Drive off East Division Street near Texas 360. Historian Martha Rose May Martin will share information about the history of the track during the ceremony.

Then from noon to 7 p.m., a fundraising event at Arlington Baptist College will commemorate the 100th anniversary since the start of construction for Bankhead Highway and the legacy of Top O' Hill Terrace.

Bankhead Highway, one of the country's first transcontinental highways, helped Arlington become a tourist destination. The section of the highway that runs through Arlington is now known as Division Street.

Top O' Hill Terrace, once a tea room that hosted parties for the rich, was also once a hub for illegal gambling and alcohol consumption between the late 1920s and the late 1940s.

Top O' Hill Terrace was "a tea room that became an illegal casino with lots of very famous celebrities, and some infamous celebrities, coming to Arlington back in the 1930's and 40's. It was Vegas before Vegas really existed."said Ellen Timberlake-Volz, one of the coordinators for the Top O' Hill Terrace and Bankhead Highway celebration. "The unique story is that it was a casino turned seminary and the chain of events that led to that transformation."

Top O' Hill Terrace, now a museum, is located on the Arlington Baptist College campus. During the April 9 event, visitors can attend guest lectures from local historians and authors, take tours and participate in a historical character costume contest.

The event is located at 3001 W. Division St. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds benefit structural repairs at the historic location.

Click here for more details about the fundraiser or to purchase tickets.

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