About Amarillo TX
Amarillo is a city in the state of Texas that has the distinction of been the biggest city in the Texas Panhandle region. It is also serves as the county seat for the Potter County. During the late 19th century, J.I Berry founded a site for a new town when he picked a well watered are along the Fort Worth and Denver City railroad that was still in construction. Berry along with his associates wished to make the new town to be the region’s principal trading hub. The arrival of the railroad and freight services made Amarillo to evolve into a fast growing cattle marketing hub in the Texas Panhandle region.
At first, this settlement was referred to as Oneida, but it name was later on changed to Amarillo. Generally speaking ‘Amarillo’ is the Spanish term for the color yellow. It is believed that the first inhabitants of this town settled for this name from the yellow wildflowers that grow in close proximity to the Amarillo Lake and the Amarillo Creek.
Henry Sanborn, who is widely considered to be the father of the City of Amarillo started purchasing land to the eastern direction of the new town. This was an attempt to relocate the town to a more safer site as the current site was located in low ground, and he asserted IT would flood during rainstorms. Sanborn as well offered incentives for people to move to the new site, and his efforts eventually paid off. A county wide election was held in the year 1893, and Amarillo was chosen to be the new county seat of Potter County. This Texan city then rapidly emerged as one of the busiest cattle shipping point in the state of Texas. It as well became a grain elevator, milling and flour manufacturing hub thanks to an increase in wheat and small grains production at the turn of the century. Oil and natural gas were discovered in the City of Amarillo in the years 1921 and 1918 respectively. This discovery lured many oil and gas companies in the area, and went on to fast track the growth of the city.
Request a Free Estimate
Fence Amarillo Pros
Top attractions
The City of Amarillo boasts of several natural attractions that bring tourists to the region in large droves. One of the most prominent of which is the Duro Canyon State Park that is situated in the country’s 2nd biggest canyon system. Yet another popular natural landmark within the city’s limits is the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, which is situated around 100 miles on the southwestern end of Amarillo. This Texas city is as well highly renowned for hosting a wide variety of events that celebrate the cowboy and Texan cultural heritage.
One of the most notable of which is the Tri – State Fair and Rodeo that has attracted numerous participants from Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas ever since the early 20th century. The City of Amarillo also hosts the yearly World Championship Ranch Rodeo, which is held in the Amarillo Civic Center and is sponsored by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Amarillo as well hosts the yearly World Championship Chuckwagon Round Up. During this event, teams compete in preparing a feast of breaded beef cutlets among other foods to replicate the distinctive foods, which were served in the country’s western cattle trails between the 1860s and the 1870s.
The City of Amarillo is also home to the Globe News Center for the Performing Arts that is currently the home base for the Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Symphony and the Lone Star Ballet. There is as well the Pioneer Amphitheater, which is the setting for the acclaimed outdoor musical drama; Texas that is played at night during the summer season. Amarillo also boasts of a wide variety of museums and even art collections. This includes the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum, which is a global organization devoted to preserve, improve and record keep the American Quarter horse breed.
Moreover, 2 of the city’s colleges come complete with museums in their campuses. One of the most prominent is the Amarillo Art Center that is a complex of the Amarillo Museum of Art situated in the Washington Street campus of the Amarillo College. The Amarillo Museum of Art is widely considered to be the biggest natural history museum owned by a 2-year college in the United States. There is as well the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, which is situated in the campus of the West Texas A&M University.
The City of Amarillo is also home to the Don Harrington Discovery Center. This happens to be a science center and a space theater that features more than 60 hands-on exhibits. There is as well the Amarillo Historical Museum, which is the city’s sole museum to exclusively showcase exhibits based on this region’s local history. The City of Amarillo is also home to the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum that is well noted for showcasing a collection of native Amerindian artifacts.
Route 66 Historic District
The Route 66 Historic District is composed of a grand total of 13 commercial blocks within the San Jacindo Heights on the western direction of Amarillo’s downtown area. This district includes one of the most intact groups of structures related with this famous highway. The buildings that are found on the Route 66 Historic District integrate a range of architectural designs from the early part of the 20th century. Some of the most notable of which are Art Deco and Spanish Revival elements. Route 66 Historic District as well has a good number of historically significant structures. This includes the Natatorium, the Adkinson – Baker Tire Company, Taylor’s Texaco Station to name just but a few.
Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West
This is essentially a western adventure and hospitality business, which provides a variety of tours, events and catering services. Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West also provides horseback riding opportunities that accommodate all skill levels of riding. The tours offered by this organization focus on the legendary Route 66, the cowboy lifestyle and the Palo Duro Canyon.
Cadillac Ranch
Unlike what its name might suggest, the Cadillac Ranch is not actually a ranch. Quite rather is a public art installation, which is one of the most popular attractions of the City of Amarillo. This installation was constructed by 3 artists; Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michel. These artists were part of an art group that is referred to as the Ant Farm. The installation in particular comprises of older, used, junk and running Cadillac automobiles. These vehicles are positioned head first into the ground at an angle. Motor vehicles enthusiasts will remark several intriguing and defining features, which vary from one vehicle to the next. This fascinating exhibit has appeared in numerous movies and music videos, over the passage of time. Visitors to the Cadillac Ranch are encouraged to bring along cans of spray paint to add their own distinctive art to this curious exhibit.
American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum
This City of Amarillo attraction highlights the very popular American Quarter horse breed. Its museum puts to show photos and paintings of the particular horses, which have been inducted into its Hall of Fame. Most of these breathtaking paintings were created by the renowned western artist; Orren Mixer. The displays in this museum focus on horseback riding, and include cowboy and riding garbs. There also photos and ribbons as well as other artifacts associated with the Hall of Fame inductees. The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum also has interactive exhibits, which let visitors to discover more on horse anatomy, riding and more.