Amarillo Texas - Panhandle Cow Town

Amarillo, Texas - Panhandle Cow Town

A Sign along 6th Street in Amarillo, Texas conveys that Route 66 "Does Not End"

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Gas was discovered in 1918 and three years later oil was found and the black gold frenzy exploded across the Texas Panhandle as vast fortunes were made overnight.

The 1930s brought drought and black dust bowls to Amarillo, but the decade also saw the rise of tourist stops, numerous motels, and restaurants as Americans began to feverishly travel Route 66.

Today, Amarillo is called home to more than 175,000 people where gas, petroleum, agriculture, and cattle are the principal sources of income.

The Amarillo area is now a major destination for Old West and Route 66 enthusiasts from all over the globe. The lure of the Old West also draws thousands every year to attractions like the internationally-famous outdoor musical "Texas" and Cowboy Morning Breakfast, both held at Palo Duro Canyon.

For Mother Road travelers, there are two alignments through the city, the first of which zigs and zags from Amarillo Boulevard to 6^th and 9^th Streets. Along this route, vintage cafes and other signs of the nostalgic road have been refurbished and dot the neighborhood. Along 6th Street, the area has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places and has been fashionably restored to an antique district, full of collectibles, boutiques and street-side cafes. A must see along this route is the The Nat Dine and Dance Palace which once catered to the Big Band Era and later to the Rock and Rollers of the 1950's. And, even more interesting, it is said to be haunted! Read all about The Nat and its ghost by clicking HERE.

The second alignment, which is all along Amarillo Boulevard, takes a northerly detour around the city, retaining many original Route 66 businesses which have not been maintained nor restored over the years.

While not technically on Route 66 today, the original Big Texan Steak Ranch first stood on Route 66 along East Amarillo Boulevard when the steakhouse was built in 1960. It all began in 1959, when Bob Lee went seeking a large steak in the midst of “cow country.” To his surprise, Amarillo sported not a single cowboy steak house, which Lee soon began to rectify.

A year later, The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened, claiming to serve the largest steak in Texas. But simply serving the largest steak wasn’t enough, Lee soon began promoting a Free 72 ounce Steak Dinner if customers could eat the whole thing in less than an hour. It wasn’t long before the promotion gained national attention and travelers thinking of Amarillo, immediately associated it with the Texan Steak Ranch, making the restaurant a “must stop” for travelers of the Mother Road.

When I-40 barreled through Amarillo, bypassing Route 66, Lee moved the restaurant nearer the traffic, but the famous steakhouse retained its reputation as a Mother Road landmark. In addition to its more than 40 year old steak promotion and seating for 450 in its restaurant, the Big Texan also sports a motel, Old West entertainment, a gift shop, and even a Horse Hotel, all decorated to resemble an Old West town. The Lee family continues to operate the complex that is not only lots of fun, but also provides a delicious steak.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo is a long known Route 66 icon. November, 2005 Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Keep your eyes open for a series of mock road signs scattered throughout the city that are collectively referred to as the Dynamite Museum. These signs portray odd bits of philosophy, pictures, and sometimes just nonsense. Developed by the eccentric millionaire, Stanley Marsh, you can see lots of pictures of these signs by visiting our Cadillac Ranch and Other Panhandle Oddities. The article describes the many eccentricities of Stanley Marsh including the Cadillac Ranch.

Keep right on travelin' down the Mother Road to the Cadillac Ranch, Vega and Adrian, Texas.

To stay on the original Mother Road, Amarillo Boulevard will begin to curve back to I-40 when you run into an intersection that is Indian Hills Road (also old Route 66.) Follow this road west toward the old town of Bushland where the road will end. Rejoining I-40, you can continue on the north frontage Road to Vega.

See Amarillo Attractions Next Page

Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, © December, 2005

Cowboy Motel along Amarillo Boulevard,

May, 2004, Kathy Weiser

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Horses are on parade in Amarillo, Texas

Horses Are on Parade, May, 2004, Kathy Weiser

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Four 66 Tin Signs - Set of four Old Route 66 weathered style signs. Measuring 10"x16", made of heavy gauge metal, signs have rolled edges for safe handling. Includes: Main Street USA - Chicago to L.A., Eat here and get gas - Alice's Eatery & Service Station, America's Highway, and U.S. Route 66.