Arlington's Top O' Hill Terrace: From Gambling Oasis to Baptist College

A 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe takes us back to the scandalous history of this unique Texas site.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:25pm

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An abstract, motion-blurred image in vibrant colors depicting the dynamic lines and curves of a 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe, conveying the energy and engineering of the era.A vintage Cadillac from the era of Top O' Hill Terrace's scandalous past evokes the speed and style of a bygone era.Arlington Today

Top O' Hill Terrace in Arlington, Texas was once a thriving gambling and entertainment destination in the 1920s-1940s, attracting a wide array of celebrities, sports figures, and the infamous. Today, the site is home to Arlington Baptist College, after being purchased by the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1956. Local collector Ron Potenzo owns a rare 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe, the type of car that would have been valet-parked at Top O' Hill Terrace in its heyday.

Why it matters

Top O' Hill Terrace's history as a clandestine gambling hub in the heart of Texas provides a fascinating glimpse into the state's past, when vice and virtue collided. The site's transformation from illicit casino to Baptist college campus also reflects broader social and religious shifts that shaped the region. Potenzo's vintage Cadillac serves as a tangible link to this unique chapter of Arlington's history.

The details

Top O' Hill Terrace operated as an illegal casino, brothel, and gourmet dining destination from the 1920s to 1947, when it was finally raided by the Texas Rangers. The casino's estimated take during its 22 years of operation was over $50 million, the equivalent of $1 billion today. Only the dining was legal. The site's high point and remote location made it an ideal spot for the wealthy and infamous to indulge in gambling and other vices away from prying eyes.

  • Top O' Hill Terrace operated as an illegal casino from the 1920s to 1947.
  • In 1956, the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth purchased the property and transformed it into the Arlington Baptist College campus.
  • Local collector Ron Potenzo acquired his rare 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe in December 2025.

The players

Top O' Hill Terrace

A clandestine gambling, entertainment, and dining destination in Arlington, Texas that operated illegally from the 1920s to 1947.

Ron Potenzo

A Fort Worth native and successful contractor who has collected vintage cars and motorcycles for over 35 years, including a rare 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe.

Dr. Frank Norris

The pastor of the Fort Worth First Baptist Church and co-founder of the Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, who campaigned against gambling and vowed to one day own Top O' Hill Terrace and convert it to a Baptist college.

Arlington Baptist College

The college that now occupies the former Top O' Hill Terrace site, after the property was purchased by the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1956.

Bill Mitchell

The gifted 23-year-old designer who created the powerful yet elegant styling of the 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe, and went on to become the head of General Motors styling for four decades.

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What they’re saying

“There will never be another Bill Mitchell ... Today it is all AI and aerodynamics.”

— Ron Potenzo, Vintage Car Collector

What’s next

Arlington Baptist College continues to operate on the former Top O' Hill Terrace site, preserving the history of the location while providing higher education to new generations.

The takeaway

Top O' Hill Terrace's transformation from a clandestine gambling hub to a Baptist college campus reflects the complex history of Arlington, Texas, where vice and virtue have long coexisted. Potenzo's rare 1938 Cadillac serves as a tangible link to this unique chapter of the city's past.