We recommend the Facebook Group "West Texas History & Memories" for history, famous people, old photos, stories, unclaimed estates and genealogy of the Western Half of Texas . . . Check it out and join the conversation

Potter County, Texas from 1910 to 1943 as pictured in archived government photographs, vintage postcards, old school yearbooks and newspapers in Amarillo, Bishop Hills, Ady, Boden, Bushland, Chunky, Cliffside, and Gentry Texas.

Boys Ranch Cowboys in 1946

Young cowboys on Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in 1946. Cal Farley's Boys Ranch was founded in 1939 by Cal Farley, former professional wrestler and Amarillo businessman, on the site of Old Tascosa in Oldham County... read more

Amarillo Hotel in 1890

The Amarillo Hotel, a large wooden structure, was built at Polk and Third. By 1890 businesses and houses were strung along Polk and Taylor. This photo may be the only surviving image of the Amarillo Hotel showing the windmill and tank and a few other buildings

Sometime in the 1930s five attendants were guarding people standing on a flatbed truck at a Texaco station in Amarillo Texas

The Santa Fe General Office Building in Amarillo Texas as it was during the 1920s with vintage cars and a man walking up the long path

In 1925 the Amarillo Electric Co. building at 719 Polk Street was photographed in this crystal clear image

In the early 1900s a butcher posed beside sides of beef in his shop in Amarillo Texas

Street car driver waits to welcome his next passenger while newspaper boy darts away in Amarillo Texas in 1920

Winner of a wagon driving event poses with his horse team and wagon in Amarillo Texas in 1905

Amarillo Army Air Force Base 1946

41 soldiers at the Amarillo Texas Army Air Base posed for this photo in 1946

Sometime in the early 1960s an unknown photographer captured this street scene in Amarillo Texas in front of the Calico Kitchen and the Cinerama

Woman struggles against the wind and dust in Amarillo Texas in 1936

Horses tied to parking meters in front of the Grand Bar, Bell Tailers, Minute Inn Cafe, Diamond Shop and more in Amarillo Texas in 1940s

In the 1940s the staff of the Pig Hip No. 2 at 501 Pierce Street in Amarillo posed for this photo.

Sometime in the late 1940s a large group of motorcycle riders gathered in Amarillo Texas to pose for this huge highly-detailed image.

Peoples Drug Store in 1800s

The Peoples Drug Store on Polk Street in Amarillo Texas in the 1800s offered much more than patent medicine. You could buy cigars, tobacco, paint, oils, glass and more ...

Huge photo of the Union Hotel in Amarillo Texas in 1910 where you could get a good nights rest and buy groceries and clothing . . .

Auto Day in Amarillo in 1909

On a day designated "Auto Day" in Amarillo Texas hundreds of cars lined the street in front of the Amarillo Hardware Company and the Amarillo Office Company in 1909

In 1897 twelve boys on their donkeys gathered at a water tank in Amarillo Texas to pose for this great old photo

Hunting in Potter County in 1925

In 1925 Finley Kane (Lee) Martin was hunting with his little brother, Ross E. Martin somewhere northeast of Amarillo in a car they named "Old Battleaxe"  when this great old photo was captured.

When Edgar was 12, his family moved westward and settled in Audubon, a small town 12 miles north of Decatur. His Uncle, Dr. Bone, another Texas pioneer doctor would visit Papa Jones’s family, telling of his many interesting experiences and the idea of becoming a doctor stayed with Edgar until he was grown ... Read more

In 1928 Cal Farley, Dutch Mantell, Jerry Malin and two unknown men posed for this amazing photo. Shown left to right: Cal Farley is on the left in boxing shorts and shoes. Malin (wearing glasses), Dutch is holding four-year old. Patricia Malin Keffer followed by two unknown men. Photo taken at Cal Farley's training camp in New Mexico. Photo courtesy of Dan Keffer

In 1929 the Gypsy Motorcycle Club was on tour and posed for this huge old photo in Amarillo Texas. . . . See it full size

In 1937 Amarillo residents Imogene and Walter DeVaney posed in front of their car for this large highly defined image during a visit to the Panhandle gas plant near Borger, Texas  Photo provided by their nephew Hal DeVaney.

July 1902 The Stayer in Canyon Texas published the roster the Camp Stonewall Jackson Camp. The list includes former soldiers from across the Texas Panhandle including, Lockney, Canyon, Amarillo, Silverton and Plainview and complains the list is incomplete due to the fact Dr. Norris took off with the records in 1900 . . . read this valuable tool for historians and genealogists

Toss down some medicinal liquor at the XL Saloon, Eat some hot tamales at the New Chile Stand, get a bath and a haircut at J.T. Parks Tonsorial Parlor, get your wagon fixed at Ridings & Co Blacksmithing, get a furnished room for 25 cents at The Old Reliable in the Bush Building above Turner's Drug Store . . . more

Street Car on Polk Street in 1912

By 1912, Polk Street was central to the bustling center of commerce in Amarillo. Many visitors relied on one of the first motorized street cars in Texas . . . view full size

Duck hunting in the area around Amarillo was more than a popular sport in 1909 . . . continued

Out of Money, Out of Gas, Running Low on Hope

Amarillo was a crossroads for families fleeing the dust bowl and depression. This family was on the way to New Mexico but ran out of gas somewhere in Potter County . . . View Larger and Read More

Steam Tractor Plowing Farm Near Amarillo Tx around 1910

A. M. Archambault & Company developed the first farm steam engine in 1849. The steam engine was later expanded into the steam traction engine with powered wheels and steering capabilities . . . view full size

Polk Street in 1914

Street Scene showing Dillard's, Drug Store, Nunn's Store, and shoppers dodging Model A's and T's to cross the street . . . full size image

Amarillo Street Scene Late 1800's

Showing horse drawn wagons and boot shop. zoom in

Mother-in-Law Day was first observed on March 5, 1934, in Amarillo Texas, where it was started by Gene Howe, editor of the local newspaper and publisher of the "Tactless Texan" newspaper column after he somehow offended his mother-in-law Nellie Donald . . . read more

Amarillo was no stranger to the horrible dust storms of the dust bowl days of the 1930's

Poker game in Amarillo Texas in 1939 using match sticks for chips. Don't let the match sticks fool you. Some of these games could be extremely high stakes. Amarillo Slim made a fortune as gambler at games like this.

Oklahoma car arrives in Amarillo in 1941 with all the family's belongings tied to the car with baling wire. Zoom in on this "Okie Car"

Industry in Amarillo began with railroads, cattle and merchandising. The first Fort Worth & Denver City passenger train arrived in Amarillo in March of 1888 from Clarendon, which was the former terminal . . . more

Amarillo's Olympic Theater 1919

The Olympic (formerly the Grand Opera House)  was located on the NE corner of 7th and Polk Streets across the street from the Piggly Wiggly grocery store. The Olympic had one screen and 1800 seats . . . see more photos and history

Almost every small town in the panhandle had a grain elevator dominating the skyline. This one is in a small town in Potter County shows trucks lined up to unload freshly harvested wheat in 1939. The elevator would lift the entire truck . . . continued

Railroad Yardmaster in Amarillo Tx 1943

Amarillo Yardmaster at work in 1943. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.view full size

Resources:

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Amazing People from Texas County by County

Postcards from the Panhandle (Facebook)