Some of the peaks are believed to be 10,000 feet (3,000 m) high. Whether it's sightseeing, the arts, sports, outdoor activities, or a lazy brunch, you'll never get bored in Amarillo. Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town. The Lone Star Football League team Amarillo Venom and the NAHL Jr. A hockey team, the Amarillo Bulls both play in the Amarillo Civic Center. The city operates Amarillo City Transit (ACT) for localized bus transportation. A furnished studio apartment ranges from $650 to $750. The Globe-News Center was built in hope by city officials and others that it will revitalize the downtown area. [34] Completed in the same year as the FirstBank Southwest Tower, the Amarillo National Bank Plaza One building houses the headquarters of Amarillo National Bank, the city's largest financial institution. Some of the peaks are believed to be 10,000 feet (3,000m) high. A local favorite, "Texas, the Musical Drama," tells the tale of the Panhandle's settlement in the longest-running Texas musical at the Pioneer Amphitheater. The helium industry has decreased in significance since the federal government privatized local operations in the late 1990s. [31] To help revitalize it, the organization Center City of Amarillo was formed to establish partnerships with groups who have a large presence in the city. census.[58]. [97], As the seat of Potter County, the city is the location of the county's trial, civil, and criminal courts. Funk's sons, Dory Funk, Jr., and Terry Funk were both National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champions and represented Amarillo. The secret, not so secret any more, tunnels of Amarillo TX - AR-15 Area architecture choices range from traditional to French cottages, from trendy hipster to Spanish Revival. The tallest peak is reported to be 2,500 feet underground in northeast Potter County under the Alibates National Monument. The city of Amarillo's Parks and Recreation Department operates over 50 municipal parks, including a skatepark west of the city. [138] Although construction started in 2016, the entire project, which includes converting the entire loop to Interstate Specifications, is not expected to be complete until 2024. [130], Local transit services in the city have been available since 1925 and have been provided through the City of Amarillo's Amarillo City Transit (ACT) department since 1966; before that time the system was privately owned. Drive The Loop. His incentives gradually won over people, who moved their businesses to Polk Street in the new commercial district. Lake Meredith is located northeast of Amarillo and in 2005 it contained at least 114billion US gallons (430,000,000m3) of water. Two of the Amarillo area's higher education institutions have at least one museum in their campuses. These vintage postcards of Palo Duro Canyon are a true look into the past. The airport covers 40 acres (16ha) and has two grass runways. Get the latest breaking news, sports, entertainment and obituaries in Amarillo, TX from Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX 10-Day Weather Forecast - The Weather Channel I-40 stretches, east to west, 177 milesjoining together many smaller Texas Panhandle towns. Amarillo offers options for renters or those looking for a more permanent location. West Texas A&M University features a full slate of NCAA Division II teams; however, Amarillo College is one of the few community colleges in Texas without an athletic program. Eat all 72 ozs of steak, and it's FREE! The musical depicts a story about the history of Texas Panhandle settlers throughout the years. The data shown is for information purposes only and except where noted, all of the data or features shown or depicted on this map are not to be construed or interpreted as accurate and/or reliable; the City of Amarillo assumes no liability or responsibility for any . The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse breed. [145] Construction began in 2006 for a new Texas State Veterans Home in northwest Amarillo. If ranching is in your future, the plentiful and affordable land surrounding Amarillo could be the place. Petroleum extraction is also a major industry. Spend a day strolling through the shops, including the Downtown Women's Center. The streets in Amarillo's downtown area conform to a grid pattern. This iconic art installation displays ten graffiti-decorated cars, partly buried in a field along I-40 (Route 66). Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is a public airport located 10 miles (16km) east of the central business district of Amarillo, north of Interstate 40. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo is the largest of more than a dozen area rodeos that fuel a thriving rodeo industry. River Road, Highland Park, and Bushland High Schools, also play football, in addition other sports. Approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Amarillo is the canyon system, Palo Duro Canyon. Some of the peaks are believed to be 10,000 feet (3,000 m) high. The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is a 24-team league from Alaska to Texas for pre-collegiate 16- to 20-year-olds. About 15.4% of families were below the poverty line, including 20% of those under age 18, 14.1% ages 18 64, and 12.2% of those age 65 or over. This of course means they're very, very old. Other publications include a local monthly magazine dealing with city and regional issues in the Amarillo area called, Accent West and a daily online paper, The Amarillo Pioneer. Other crops in the area include sorghum, silage, hay, and soybeans. It's a deceptive altitude increase when coming from Oklahoma City. With a little bit of patience, one can find Tex-Mex restaurants, Asian stir-fry, and delicious burgers, all housed in nondescript locations. [102] It also operates the Clements Unit and Nathaniel J. Neil Unit in unincorporated Potter County, east of Amarillo. [141], Baptist St. Anthony's, known locally as BSA, had some of its services listed on the U.S. News & World Report's "Top 50 Hospitals" from 2002 to 2005. Not everyone in Amarillo wears a cowboy hat, and that's OK! Amarillo's Mountains Are Underground Mountains Leave it to a place known for its half-buried Cadillac collection to have mountains that don't make much sense. Bush named the north to south streets for past United States presidents, in chronological order except for John Quincy Adams because the surname was taken with the second president, John Adams. An area business would purchase a horse statue and a local artist paints on it.[85]. Used to be a military base close to where the airport is was told that the actual base goes many levels underground. Several country songs have touted the inexplicable draw of Amarillo. [62][63], Amarillo is considered the regional economic center for the Texas Panhandle,[64][65] as well as Eastern New Mexico and the Oklahoma Panhandle. The Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument provides for a fascinating day of exploration. From 1978 to 2002, the Junior League of Amarillo and the city of Amarillo's Parks and Recreation Department co-sponsored Funfest, a family entertainment festival, benefiting the city parks and the league's Community Chest Trust Fund. The Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon system in the United States. Located on the campus of West Texas A&M University, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum claims to be the largest historical museum in Texas. Sanborn also offered to trade lots in the new location to businesses in the original city's site and help with the expense of moving to new buildings. Amarillo was once the self-proclaimed "Helium Capital of the World" for having one of the country's most productive helium fields. In 1929, Ernest O. Thompson, a decorated World War I general and a major businessman in Amarillo, was elected mayor to succeed Lee Bivins. [27] Approximately 25 miles (40km) south of Amarillo is the canyon system, Palo Duro Canyon. Originally named "Oneida," Businessman J.I. Berry established the city in 1887 near the mainline of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad. Christie's version, which only managed to reach 18 when originally released in 1971, made it to the number 1 spot in the UK Singles Chart in 2005 for 7 weeks. Amarillo sits closer in proximity to the Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado state capitals than it does to Austin. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 37.0F (2.8C) in January to 78.3F (25.7C) in July. Amarillo is only a three-hour drive away from Capulin Volcano National Monument, which is located in New Mexico. [72], From 2020 to 2021, Amarillo experienced its greatest amount of economic development in 30 years. In 1910, the Amarillo voters approved to pay for street paving and the materials used to pave the streets were bricks. The depth to static water level from . Other members include the Amarillo's public schools, Amarillo College, Canyon Area Library, Lovett Memorial Library in Pampa, Texas, and Hutchinson County Library in Borger, Texas. [28] providing easier access to the new freeway. has helped the lake regain much of its volume. Blizzards occur occasionally, but snowfall is typically light, averaging nearly 18 inches or 46 centimetres seasonally and the median figure is near 10 inches or 25 centimetres. [148] Increased rainfall in recent years[when?] [136][137] I-27 in Southern Amarillo will be entirely reconstructed from Buffalo Stadium Rd. Best Thing On The Internet Today? One example of the numbering difference regards the former U.S. Highway 66 routing west of downtown and into the San Jacinto neighborhood. Though urbanization, agricultural farming, and construction have occurred over the last century in and around Amarillo, the native grasslands that dominate this region have remained largely untouched. [143] The BSA Hospice & Life Enrichment Center provides important services to the Amarillo area. There are more than 200 churches in the area as of 2013. The city became a grain elevator, milling, and feed-manufacturing center after an increase in production of wheat and small grains during the early 1900s. Measuring 120 miles long and up to 1,000 feet deep, Palo Duro is the second-largest canyon in the U.S. (only Arizona's Big Ditch beats it). Sip fresh ground coffee at 806, and you will forget all about chain store coffee. Thompson instituted a major capital-improvements project and worked to reduce utility rates. Two airports serve the region. By . Amarillo had a median household income of $52,941 and per capita income at $28,274. 14. Amarillo, Texas offers an unmistakable feeling like no other [103], The United States Postal Service operates the Amarillo Main Post Office. There is a vast array of housing styles in Amarillo. New homes and luxury communities pepper the area. The city's largest employer in 2005 was Tyson Foods, with 3,700 employees. Texas Beef, a multi-generational family-owned Amarillo company, is the largest cattle-feed employer. One thing you don't account for however is something looking bigger or smaller than you seemed to think it was. The Amarillo mountains are part of the Arbuckle/Ouichita/Wichita mountains in Oklahoma. The canyon is a prominent mountain biking destination and hosts the annual 50-mile Palo Duro Canyon Trail Run. Amarillo residents are known as Amarilloans. Cable television is primarily provided by Suddenlink Communications. Amarillo was hit by the Dust Bowl and entered an economic depression. What Can Stop Pickleballs Takeover Of The Panhandle? In Amarillo, the southern plains meet the desert. Wonderland Amusement Park is one of the best things to do for families in Amarillo. One of the telling trends in Amarillo is the growing number of thrift shops inexpensive stores elevated by hipsters to trendy boutique status. Amarillo has no passenger rail service but remains an important part of the rail freight system. [110], According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 23.3% of all adults aged 25 and older have obtained a bachelor's degree, and 85% a high school diploma or equivalent from 2016 to 2020.[59]. The so named Amarillo Mountains are a range of granite mountains that run from northwest to southeast thru the Amarillo, TX area. Amarillo's downtown is thrift central. Holy Smoke! Texas Has Actual Volcanoes. Here's Where to See Ten of Them. On average, there are 5.9 days of lows at or below 10F or 12.2C, 8.8 days where the temperature fails to rise above freezing, and 61 days of 90F (32.2C)+ highs. Amarillo residents Dory Funk, Stanley Blackburn and Doc Sarpolis promoted the territory for several decades. Amarillo, TX 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground According to Arbitron the top 5 rated commercial radio stations in Fall 2012/Spring 2013 are: The regional public radio network, High Plains Public Radio, operates KJJP-FM 105.7. North of downtown the highway becomes US 87 & 287 and continues northward to Dumas, Texas.[64]. Collection and disposal of the city's trash and garbage are the responsibilities of the City of Amarillo's Solid Waste Collection and Solid Waste Disposal Departments. While the fossil fuel industry, including oil, gas, and helium, remains supportive of the area, the availability of jobs related to renewable energy increases. [73] Amazon, Asset Protection Unit, and Texas Tech University Vet School were named some major organizations contributing to the city and metropolitan area's economic growth. A portion of the former Amarillo Air Force Base was converted to civilian use and became part of the airport. The city has events and attractions honoring the cowboy and Texas culture. That part of Amarillo within Randall County is represented by Swinford's Republican colleague, John T. Smithee, who has served in the 86th District since 1985. Nate Blakeslee. The Loop is a local name for Texas State Highway Loop 335, which encircles Amarillo. Roller coasters, including the Texas Tornado and the Mouse Trap, will have you screaming in fear or delight. The World Championship Ranch Rodeo sponsored by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association is held every November in the Amarillo Civic Center. There's a solid chance that if you're reading this, you're more than likely in the Texas panhandle. North of the Fort Worth & Denver (now Burlington Northern-Santa Fe) railyard, the numbers are "NW" (northwest) west of Polk Street, and "NE" (northeast) east of Polk. Amarillo is located near the middle of the Texas Panhandle and is part of the Llano Estacado or Staked Plains region which has a surface that is relatively flat and has little drainage in the soil. The Amarillo Mountains are underground. There have been various proposals over the years to add passenger service. Amarillo is infamous for its unpredictable weather patterns, with massive temperature changes on a daily basis, raging winds, devastating hailstorms and "northers", long periods of drought, late frosts, spring tornadoes, dust-storms, and floods. The city gained national media attention in 1998 when local cattlemen unsuccessfully sued television talk show host Oprah Winfrey for comments made on her show connecting American beef to mad cow disease, costing them and their industry millions of dollars. The building is now an office and parking garage.[28]. The Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is located east of Harrington Regional Medical Center. The range was discovered by pioneer oilmen. The city is situated near the Panhandle Field, in a productive gas and oil area, covering 200,000 acres (800 km2) in Hartley, Potter, Moore, Hutchinson, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, and Collingsworth counties. Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Registered Historic Places in Potter County, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, List of notable people from Amarillo, Texas, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Amarillo, Texas, "2000 Census: Population of Texas Cities", "Census profile: Amarillo, TX Metro Area", "History Makers of the High Plains: H.B. Popular . Electric power service is distributed by Xcel Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary, the Amarillo-based Southwestern Public Service Company. They are some thousands of feet underground. ACT has no plans to scale back any of their transit routes or services.[67]. Living in Amarillo is easy. Review: Is Leonard Farms The Best Bang For Your Christmas Bucks? At least, that's what's going on according to these guys. The United States government, through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, provided the funding to build the facility, while the Texas government will run it after construction is completed. A city route (which was an original alignment of US 66 through central and west Amarillo) followed Fillmore south into the downtown area and turned on West 6th through the San Jacinto Heights district which is now home to many antique shops, restaurants and other businesses, passing the Amarillo Country Club and veering onto West 9th Street and Bushland Blvd before tying into the through route at a traffic circle near the Veterans Hospital. Considered one of the United States' top cities to start a business, this Texas jewel offers outdoor activities, various education options, and a range of professional opportunities in a Lone Star suburban setting. "[11] Near the proximity of the Discovery Center, the Amarillo Botanical Gardens has gardens, indoor exhibits, and a library for visitation throughout the year. Amarillo AMA Cheyenne CYS Amarillo Weather Weather Conditions and Forecast Salina, KS Regional Radar Nearby Personal Weather Stations WunderMap Radar Customize, add layers and zoom in & out. Amarillo's current name, thought to have been inspired by the yellow wildflowers near Amarillo Lake, means "yellow" in Spanish. The closest Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagan meeting officially advertised is located a 5-hour plus drive in Denton, TX despite there being a UU congregation in Amarillo it does not host a CUUPs chapater. In 2002, the city spent $200,000 to restore one block of brick street on Ninth Avenue between Polk and Tyler streets. The Amarillo Cadillac Ranch (also known as the Caddy Ranch ), is a public art work, created in 1974 exhibited in open ranchland which is used for farming and breeding cattle. Palo Duro plunges into the Panhandle flatland like an upside down mountain range, and we spent the . However, the closure of Amarillo Air Force Base on December 31, 1968, contributed to a decrease in population to 127,010 by 1970.