The Redemption of The Hill

Sitting almost halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, lies what was the sleepy suburban town of Arlington,Texas, but things have changed there since  three major entertainment venues have moved to town: Six Flags Over Texas (a theme park), Ranger (baseball ) and ATnT stadiums (football). Although, that is not what this post is about.

Over the weekend I went on a tour, in Arlington, on the grounds of a small Baptist College that for years has been hiding it's infamous past. A place that most folks, including me, just drove by without giving it a second glance.

Oh, we may have admired the old rock gates.

You see, before the college opened in the nineteen fifties the Top O'Hill Terrace, as it was called, was in the late twenties, thirties and forties  the most exclusive and notorious underground gambling casino in the country. Here not only the wealthiest millionaires paid a visit, but  Hollywood's finest rubbed elbows with known gangsters.

The list of patrons and or entertainers included some very well known names of the time. Here is a partial list of  a few others that I didn't snap a photo of:  Frank Sinatra, Robert Young, John Wayne, Benny Goodman, Bob Hope, Mary Martin, Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Jack Dempsey, W.C. Fields, Jack Ruby, Gene Autry, Al Capone..and a host of others.

and

Your trip to Arlington, at that time, might include nearby horse racing, and ultimately ending up here where there was illegal drinking, gambling, flashy stage shows and yes even a brothel... all  on and under this hill.

You could thank this one time plumber who purchased the hilltop tearoom and restaurant in the late 1920's and transformed it into what some refer to as Vegas before Vegas.
The college whose religion denounces all of the above vices wanted, and almost did, wipe the place clean of any remaining clues of what was once here.

That is until about sixteen years ago, when of all people the college president's wife Vicki Bryant decided to uncover it's past, and share it with the world. Vickie conducts a tour and shows you an

underground room,

 escape tunnels, and numerous artifacts.

Click on image to enlarge

She also explains how the help could turn this place into a seemingly harmless docile restaurant and tearoom on at moments notice if the Texas Rangers made their way through the gates.

The tour also included walk through the tea garden on a very cold day I might add,

and a visit to the large swimming pool that at that time was outdoors.

Discarded in the corner, the dusty remains of some of the gambling tables

and a piano in dire need of restoration. Lord knows the famous fingers that tickled it's keys

So, by all means, don't miss this tour, by the very lady who has single handily uncovered this hill's past.. A job that at times must seem like a jigsaw puzzle as she collects and even buys back paraphernalia that was once here.

 I will let her tell you the story of the fiery Baptist Minister who made it his life's mission to shut down what he deemed "hell on earth".....and did in 1947.

To be continued: The profile of a local showgirl that danced here, and the stable of it's once famous racehorse.

To view an interesting video on the property go: HERE

Dreamer Series part ll

This is yet another of the inspirational Dreamer Series, painted around Fort Worth, Texas

Linking to Monday Murals: HERE

Under Construction

Our street is a very big mess at the moment.

The city is putting in new water and sewer lines.

They are also installing new water meters. I have been watching these guys. One guy dug this whole in just a couple of hours.

They arrive before sun up and I took this picture through our window at nearly 7pm at night.If I worked as hard as they do I wouldn't be able to walk the next day.I am thankful that we have such strong men to do these kinds of jobs.

Dreamer Series

Two local artists, S. Gruppi and J Worman decided that we didn't just need to renew our city, but inspire the locals to dream big,

 So, they set about painting murals around the city they labeled The Dreamer Series. This larger than life dreamer graces the side wall of the Harvest Bread Company of Magnolia St. in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Linking to Monday Mural:HERE

A Film Festival

I love living in the city as opposed to suburbia. There is always so much going on. I am not always up on what is happening around town, but my sister Polly is.She called to invite meet to an annual event on the campus of Texas Christian University. They have a film festival over a two day period where they show 20 films...and they are all free.

These are fairly current films, some on religious subjects, others with possible  political controversies and there those that are just worth discussing. It is a bit like a book review.

They also furnish popcorn, coffee and water. The neat part is there is a facilitator after the film to lead the discussion on your views of the film, or it's message. We saw the academy award nominated film Trumbo, filmed in 2015. It was about the top screenwriter in Hollywood that was blacklisted, and sent to jail for belonging to the communist party  in a time of hysteria after World War ll. The main actors were Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane and Helen Mirren.It was an excellent film and led to a lively discussion.

The New Link

Some of you may remember that on Thursdays I use to post a picture of a fence. That was the one "link party" that I took part in. For those of you that don't know, a link party is where a host blog has a theme for the day, and other bloggers from around the world link up their photo based on that theme. Well, the fence link up has ended. So, I am hoping to join a new one titled Monday Murals. I tried last week, and failed at hooking up. You would think I knew how to do that by now. So...here goes.

This colorful mural is on the side of the Chat Room Pub on W. Magnolia Street in Ft. Worth Texas. West Magnolia Street is the main drag on the south side of Ft. Worth in an area that has recently been brought back to life. The image titled the Watercolor Face was used in years past as the logo advertising an annual arts festival called Arts Goggle.

Click: HERE   to go to our host blog, where you can find links to murals from around the globe.

Healing

I mentioned in a previous post that the vine that trails on the brick wall on our patio is sick. I asked the landscapers to replace it, but they ask for a chance to heal it. It made me think of our throw away society. Some are so quick to toss things out instead of repairing them....and I guess I was about to be guilty of that.

It also made me think of my mood. I am feeling a bit wilted about the change of Presidents tomorrow. I have a couple of friends who are delighted about it ...and I just for the life of me I cant see why? I do cherish their friendships and hope that this will not devide us like I see happening in this country like never before.

Don't worry I am not going to go put plastic on my head. I am going to try to be the best me I can be and hope for the best...Janey