67-784: [REDACTED] Look up Amarillo or amarillo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Amarillo , yellow or golden in Spanish, may refer to: Places [ edit ] Amarillo, Texas , city in the US Amarillo, Western Australia, former name for Keralup, Western Australia People [ edit ] Amarillo Slim (1928–2012), American poker player Eric Amarillo (born 1971), Swedish singer Moses Amarillo (18th century), Greek rabbi Music [ edit ] Record labels [ edit ] Amarillo Records ,
134-473: A skatepark west of the city. Amarillo's largest parks are Medical Park, Thompson Memorial Park, and Memorial Park, near Amarillo College's Washington Street Campus. 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. Funfest
201-575: A city sales tax, and it provides aggressive incentive packages to existing and prospective employers. In the mid-to-late 1990s, the AEDC gained notoriety by sending mock checks to businesses across the country, placing full-page advertisements in The Wall Street Journal , and paying an annual $ 1 million subsidy to American Airlines to retain jet service. The AEDC is largely responsible for bringing Bell Helicopter Textron's development of
268-413: A collision course with Amarillo. The tornado, shortly after 8 pm, ripped through Amarillo's most densely populated areas, demolishing almost half of the city, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. In 1951, the army air base was reactivated as Amarillo Air Force Base and expanded to accommodate a Strategic Air Command B-52 Stratofortress wing. The arrival of servicemen and their families ended
335-737: A horse statue and a local artist paints on it. Two of the Amarillo area's higher education institutions have at least one museum in their campuses. The Amarillo Art Center [1] , opened in 1972, is a building complex with the Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) and concert hall located on the Washington Street Campus of Amarillo College. Located on the campus of West Texas A&M University, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum claims to be
402-403: A median household income of $ 52,941 and per capita income at $ 28,274. An estimated 15.4% of the population lived at or below the poverty line . In 2020, there were 78,706 occupied households, out of which 26,945 were married couples living together, 4,327 had a female householder with no spouse present, and 1,858 were male householder, no spouse present. The age distribution of the city in 2020
469-405: A plant commonly referred to as amarillo "Amarillo" ( Better Call Saul ) , an episode of Better Call Saul See also [ edit ] Amaryllis (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Amarillo . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
536-405: A plant commonly referred to as amarillo "Amarillo" ( Better Call Saul ) , an episode of Better Call Saul See also [ edit ] Amaryllis (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Amarillo . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
603-510: A record label Songs [ edit ] "Amarillo" (Gorillaz song) , 2011 "Amarillo" (J Balvin song) , 2020 "Amarillo" (Shakira song) , 2017 " (Is This the Way to) Amarillo ", a 1971 song written and released by Neil Sedaka as "Amarillo" "Amarillo", a 1976 song co-written and performed by Emmylou Harris "Amarillo", a 1999 song from the album Escorpión de Primavera by Anasol Other uses [ edit ] Amaryllis ,
670-461: A record label Songs [ edit ] "Amarillo" (Gorillaz song) , 2011 "Amarillo" (J Balvin song) , 2020 "Amarillo" (Shakira song) , 2017 " (Is This the Way to) Amarillo ", a 1971 song written and released by Neil Sedaka as "Amarillo" "Amarillo", a 1976 song co-written and performed by Emmylou Harris "Amarillo", a 1999 song from the album Escorpión de Primavera by Anasol Other uses [ edit ] Amaryllis ,
737-474: Is Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway , the state park is the home of the official Texas State Bison Herd, who were captured and taken care of by cattle rancher Charles Goodnight. Local millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 funded many public art projects in the city including the Cadillac Ranch , located west of Amarillo on Interstate 40 , a monument of painted Cadillac automobiles that were dug into
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#1732765865897804-755: Is Amarillo's only local museum to exclusively feature local history. Other notable museums in the area are the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum and the English Field Air & Space Museum . The Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum features a collection of Native American artifacts and provides dance performances. The English Field Air & Space Museum, which had been operated by the Texas Aviation Historical Society featuring aircraft and space exhibits, in 2007 closed its doors and lost many of its aircraft. The museum
871-592: Is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County . It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the most populous city in the Texas panhandle . A portion of the city extends into Randall County . The estimated population of Amarillo was 200,393 as of April 1, 2020, comprising nearly half of the population of the panhandle. The Amarillo metropolitan area had an estimated population of 308,297 as of 2020. The city of Amarillo, originally named Oneida,
938-649: Is located a 5-hour plus drive in Denton, TX despite there being a UU congregation in Amarillo it does not host a CUUPs chapter. Amarillo is considered the regional economic center for the Texas Panhandle, as well as Eastern New Mexico and the Oklahoma Panhandle. The meat packing industry is a major employer in Amarillo; about one-quarter of the United States' beef supply is processed in
1005-620: Is located near the middle of the Texas Panhandle . It does not share similar weather characteristics with south and east Texas . It is situated in the grasslands of the Texas Panhandle, and is surrounded by dense prairie. 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. Though urbanization, agricultural farming, and construction have taken place over
1072-441: Is no stranger to devastating tornadoes. Tornadoes have occurred in and around the city in 1968, 1970, 1982, 1986, 2001, 2007, and most recently in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The strongest tornado to ever hit Amarillo was a deadly F4 tornado that struck the city in the night time hours of May 15, 1949. Amarillo suffered a direct hit, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life in Amarillo's most densely populated areas. The tornado devastated
1139-421: Is now rebuilding its aircraft collection as Texas Air & Space Museum and is located on American Drive on the south side of the airport. Most of Amarillo's population growth and commercial development are occurring in the southern and northwestern parts of the city. Similar to many towns in the Texas Panhandle, the city's downtown has suffered economic deterioration throughout the years. To help revitalize it,
1206-608: Is situated in the Llano Estacado region. The availability of the railroad and freight service provided by the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad contributed to the city's growth as a cattle-marketing center in the late 19th century. Amarillo was once the self-proclaimed " Helium Capital of the World" for having one of the country's most productive helium fields. The city is also known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas" (as
1273-686: Is stored in the Bush Dome Reservoir at the Cliffside facility. Following the lead of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad established services to and from Amarillo. Each of these three carriers maintained substantial freight and passenger depots and repair facilities in the city through most of the 20th century and were major employers within
1340-878: Is the Canadian River , which divides the Western High Plains ecological region. The southern divide of the Western High Plains is the Llano Estacado or Staked Plains geographical region. The river is dammed to form Lake Meredith , a major source of drinking water in the Texas Panhandle region. The city is situated near the Panhandle Field, in a productive gas and oil area, covering 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) in Hartley , Potter, Moore , Hutchinson , Carson, Gray , Wheeler , and Collingsworth Counties. The Potter County portion had
1407-400: The 2000 U.S. census . In 2020, there were 76,778 households with an average of 2.57 people per household. Of the households, 60.8% lived in owner-occupied housing units and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $ 140,030. The median homeowner costs with a mortgage were $ 1,272 and without a mortgage $ 479. Amarillo had a median gross rent of $ 876 from 2016 to 2020. Amarillo had
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#17327658658971474-481: The Amarillo Botanical Gardens has gardens, indoor exhibits, and a library for visitation throughout the year. The Texas Pharmacy Museum claims to be the only Texas museum specialized in the research, collection, preservation, and exhibition of the history of pharmacy, is also located in the city's hospital district. Founded in 2013, by businessman Tom Warren, The Amarillo Historical Museum
1541-699: The American Quarter Horse breed. The organization is headquartered in Amarillo and has a museum. There is also an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame exhibited in the museum. In addition, the AQHA and Center City of Amarillo co-sponsors the project, "Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse" which consist of horse statues located in front of several Amarillo businesses, such as the downtown Amarillo National building, Nationwide Insurance, and Edward Jones. An area business would purchase
1608-805: The Dory Funk wrestling family, former UFC Champions Heath Herring and Evan Tanner , astronaut Rick Husband , professional golfer Ryan Palmer, rockabilly pioneer Buddy Knox , actress Carolyn Jones , actress and dancer Cyd Charisse , actor and poet Harry Northup , State Senator Max Sherman , Republican state chairman Tom Mechler , politicians Beau Boulter and John Marvin Jones , businessman T. Boone Pickens, Jr. , singer-songwriter JD Souther , gambler Thomas " Amarillo Slim " Preston, soldier and interior decorator Clyde Kenneth Harris , and music artist and composer Terry Stafford ("Amarillo by Morning"; "Suspicion"). Singer Lacey Brown of Amarillo advanced to
1675-573: The National Register of Historic Places reflect the economic growth from around 1900 to the start of World War II. Polk Street contains many of the city's historic downtown buildings and homes. The large historic homes on this street were built close to downtown, and homes were located on the west side of the street as a symbol of status because they would be greeted with the sunrise every morning. The city of Amarillo's Parks and Recreation Department operates over 50 municipal parks, including
1742-575: The Working Ranch Cowboys Association is held every November in the Amarillo Civic Center . The Amarillo Livestock Auction on Bull Road holds a free-to-the-public cattle auction on Tuesdays. Now located on Interstate 40, The Big Texan Steak Ranch is famous by offering visitors a free 72 ounce (2 kg) beef steak if it (and its accompanying dinner) is eaten in under an hour. Globe-News Center for
1809-520: The county seat election and was established in Potter County. Availability of the railroad and freight service after the county seat election made the town a fast-growing cattle -marketing center. The settlement originally was called Oneida; it later changed its name to Amarillo, which probably derived from yellow wildflowers that were plentiful during the spring and summer or the nearby Amarillo Lake and Amarillo Creek , named in turn for
1876-632: The cowboy and Texas culture. During the third week of September, the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo brings participants mostly from Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas to Amarillo since 1921. On the Tri-State Exposition grounds, the Amarillo National Center is a special events center for events ranging from national equestrian competitions to motor sports and rodeos . The World Championship Ranch Rodeo sponsored by
1943-685: The 77.83%, 74.53% identify as Christian. Baptists made up 40.2% of the Christian population and Catholics were 13.3% of the local population. Methodists and Pentecostals were the next largest Christian groups, followed by Presbyterians , Mormons , Episcopalians or Anglicans , and Lutherans . Approximately 8.1% of the population were of another Christian faith. In 2021, about 0.1% of Amarillo's residents identified with Judaism and 2.1% were Muslim. An estimated 1.1% followed an Eastern religion such as Buddhism or Hinduism . The closest Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagan meeting officially advertised
2010-548: The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce announced a new initiative to help local businesses rebound from the pandemic. Its tourism industry also rebounded. Amarillo has a number of natural attractions near the city. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the United States' second largest canyon system, after the Grand Canyon and is located south of Amarillo. The canyon is a prominent mountain biking destination and hosts
2077-575: The Amarillo National Bank Plaza One building houses the headquarters of Amarillo National Bank , the city's largest financial institution. The Santa Fe Building , completed in 1930, was the regional offices of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, but was vacant for several years until Potter County bought the building for $ 426,000 in 1995 to gain new office spaces. Amarillo's historic homes and buildings listed on
Amarillo - Misplaced Pages Continue
2144-696: The Amarillo's public schools, Amarillo College, Canyon Area Library, Lovett Memorial Library in Pampa, Texas , and Hutchinson County Library in Borger, Texas . The Amarillo Public Library's main branch is located in downtown and operates four neighborhood branches. Wonderland Amusement Park is located in northern Amarillo at Thompson Park, named for Ernest Thompson. The park also houses the Amarillo zoo and offers picnicking . Amarillo residents are known as Amarilloans . Notable Amarilloans include actress Ann Doran (1911–2000), old-style journalist Bascom N. Timmons ,
2211-531: The Mainstage and the Adventure Space, are located west of Amarillo's downtown. The Pioneer Amphitheater , located in nearby Palo Duro Canyon, is the setting for the outdoor musical drama Texas, which plays nightly during the summer. The musical depicts a story about the history of Texas Panhandle settlers throughout the years. In 2002, the producers changed its name to Texas Legacies after retiring
2278-670: The Performing Arts , opened in 2006, houses the Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Symphony, and Lone Star Ballet concerts. The facility, located just across the Amarillo Civic Center, features a 1,300-seat auditorium. The Globe-News Center was built in hope by city officials and others that it will revitalize the downtown area. The nonprofit community theater group, Amarillo Little Theatre, has its season run from September to May. The theater group's two facilities,
2345-521: The V-22 Osprey hybrid aircraft and the future site of Marine One assembly in Amarillo. From 2020 to 2021, Amarillo experienced its greatest amount of economic development in 30 years. 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. Through the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas ,
2412-594: The annual 50-mile Palo Duro Canyon Trail Run. Palo Duro has a distinct hoodoo that resembles a lighthouse. Another natural landmark near the city, the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument is located 30 miles (48 km) north of Amarillo. It is once known as the site for prehistoric inhabitants to obtain flint in order to make tools and weapons. About 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Amarillo in Briscoe County
2479-507: The area. The city is also the location of headquarters for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Petroleum extraction is also a major industry. The helium industry has decreased in significance since the federal government privatized local operations in the late 1990s. Bell Helicopter Textron opened a helicopter assembly plant near the city's international airport in 1999. The city's largest employer in 2005
2546-601: The city and most of the county as a whole lie in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Amarillo is characterized by a winter season featuring large diurnal temperature variation , great day-to-day variability, possible sudden and/or severe Arctic air outbreaks (in Texas, called "blue northers"), possible blizzards and hot summers with generally low humidity. The average annual precipitation is 20.4 inches or 520 millimeters. Much of Amarillo's precipitation falls during heavy convective showers and thunderstorms during
2613-404: The city takes its name from the Spanish word for yellow), "Yellow City" for its name, and "Rotor City, USA" for its V-22 Osprey hybrid aircraft assembly plant. Amarillo operates one of the largest meat-packing areas in the United States. Pantex , the only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility in the country, is also a major employer. The location of this facility also gave rise to
2680-454: The city with corn , wheat , and cotton as the primary crops. Other crops in the area include sorghum , silage , hay , and soybeans . The Texas Panhandle, particularly in Hereford, Texas , serves as a fast-growing milk producing area as several multimillion-dollar state of the art dairies were built in the early 2000s. The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is funded by
2747-613: The city's depression. Between 1950 and 1960, Amarillo's population grew from 74,443 to 137,969. However, the closure of Amarillo Air Force Base on December 31, 1968, contributed to a decrease in population to 127,010 by 1970. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Amarillo's population as 6.1% Hispanic and 88.5% non-Hispanic white. In the 1980s, ASARCO , Iowa Beef Processors (present day Tyson Foods ), Owens-Corning , and Weyerhaeuser built plants at Amarillo. The Eastridge neighborhood houses many immigrants from countries such as Vietnam , Laos , and Burma . Many of them found employment at
Amarillo - Misplaced Pages Continue
2814-465: The community. Amarillo was hit by the Dust Bowl and entered an economic depression . U.S. Routes 60, 87, 287, and 66 intersected at Amarillo, making it a major tourist stop with numerous motels, restaurants, and curio shops. World War II led the establishment of Amarillo Army Air Field in east Amarillo and the nearby Pantex Army Ordnance Plant, which produced bombs and ammunition. After the end of
2881-643: The early 1900s. Discovery of natural gas in 1918 and oil three years later brought oil and gas companies to the Amarillo area. The United States government bought the Cliffside Gas Field with high helium content in 1927 and the Federal Bureau of Mines began operating the Amarillo Helium plant two years later. The plant was the sole producer of commercial helium in the world for a number of years. The U.S. National Helium Reserve
2948-421: The east to move Amarillo after arguing that Berry's site was on low ground and would flood during rainstorms. 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. His incentives gradually won over people, who moved their businesses to Polk Street in the new commercial district. Heavy rains almost flooded Berry's part of
3015-493: The free dictionary. Amarillo , yellow or golden in Spanish, may refer to: Places [ edit ] Amarillo, Texas , city in the US Amarillo, Western Australia, former name for Keralup, Western Australia People [ edit ] Amarillo Slim (1928–2012), American poker player Eric Amarillo (born 1971), Swedish singer Moses Amarillo (18th century), Greek rabbi Music [ edit ] Record labels [ edit ] Amarillo Records ,
3082-548: The ground head first. Marsh also participated in an ongoing art project called the Dynamite Museum, which consists of thousands of mock traffic signs . These signs, bearing messages such as "Road does not end" or displaying a random picture, are scattered throughout the city of Amarillo. Besides these works, one can find close to the city the final earthwork of Robert Smithson (and another commission by Marsh), Amarillo Ramp . The city has events and attractions honoring
3149-508: The ground, or accumulates in playa lakes . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 90.3 square miles (234 km ), with 89.9 sq mi (233 km ) of it land and 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km ) of it (0.50%) covered by water. The Amarillo metropolitan area covers four counties: Armstrong , Carson , Potter, and Randall. About 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Amarillo
3216-444: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amarillo&oldid=1258125292 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Amarillo [REDACTED] Look up Amarillo or amarillo in Wiktionary,
3283-431: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amarillo&oldid=1258125292 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Amarillo, Texas Amarillo ( / ˌ æ m ə ˈ r ɪ l oʊ / AM -ə- RIL -oh ; Spanish for " yellow ")
3350-533: The largest historical museum in Texas. Don Harrington Discovery Center , located in the city's hospital district, is an interactive science center and space theater with over 60 hands-on exhibits. Outside of the building is a steel structure called the Helium Monument which has time capsules and designates Amarillo the "Helium Capital of the World". Near the proximity of the Discovery Center,
3417-464: The last century in and around Amarillo, the native grasslands that dominate this region have remained largely untouched. Amarillo sits closer in proximity to the Oklahoma , New Mexico and Colorado state capitals than it does to Austin . The region's surface is relatively flat and has little soil drainage. Due to the lack of developed drainage, much of the rainfall either evaporates, infiltrates into
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#17327658658973484-545: The late spring and summer months. According to 'Cities Ranked and Rated' (Bert Sperling and Peter Sander), Amarillo averages 48 days per year during which thunder and lightning is reported. This is above the national average. These storms can be severe: Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle are situated in the western portion of " Tornado Alley " and are prone to severe weather events, occurring primarily between April and July. Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding. Amarillo
3551-503: The median figure is near 10 inches or 25 centimeters. Amarillo is also recorded as the windiest city in the U.S. by the Weather Channel. According to the 2020 United States census , there were 200,393 people, 76,778 households, and 50,005 families residing in the city, an increase of 5.1% since the 2010 United States census. At the 2010 U.S. census , there were 190,695 people residing in Amarillo, an increase of 9.8% since
3618-423: The nation's largest natural gas reserve. Approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Amarillo is the canyon system, Palo Duro Canyon . The tallest peak is reported to be 2,500 feet (760 m) underground in northeastern Potter County under the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument . Like most of the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo has a temperate semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification BSk ). Both
3685-456: The nearby Iowa Beef Processors plant. The following decade, Amarillo's city limits encompassed 60 square miles (155 km ) in Potter and Randall Counties. Interstate 27 highway connecting Lubbock to Amarillo was built mostly during the 1980s. In May 1982, a strong F3 tornado struck Amarillo's western suburbs, devastating parts of Dawn, and Bushland. No fatalities were reported. Amarillo
3752-404: The nickname "Bomb City". During April 1887, J. I. Berry established a site for a town after he chose a well-watered section along the right-of-way of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad, which had begun building across the Texas Panhandle. Berry and Colorado City, Texas , merchants wanted to make their new town site the region's main trading center. On August 30, 1887, Berry's town site won
3819-486: The organization Center City of Amarillo was formed to establish partnerships with groups who have a large presence in the city. Since its conception in the 1990s, Center City has sponsored public art projects and started block parties in the downtown area. The 31-story FirstBank Southwest Tower was opened in Amarillo's downtown in 1971. Completed in the same year as the FirstBank Southwest Tower,
3886-476: The poverty line, including 20% of those under age 18, 14.1% ages 18 – 64, and 12.2% of those age 65 or over. Part of the Bible Belt , Christianity is the predominant religion in Amarillo and its metropolitan area. There are more than 200 churches in the area as of 2013. According to Sperling's BestPlaces in 2021, 77.83% of the population identified as religious, primarily adhering to Christianity. Out of
3953-549: The previous script that was used for 37 years for a more historically accurate one, but attendance declined over the next four seasons, so it was decided to revert to the original Paul Green script in 2006. The Amarillo Public Library is affiliated with the Harrington Library Consortium. The consortium consist of public, college, and school libraries located in the Texas Panhandle that share resources and cooperate with one another. Other members include
4020-886: The south and east sides of the city, killing 7 people, and injuring more than 80 others. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 38.6 °F (3.7 °C) in January to 79.6 °F (26.4 °C) in July. Sunny weather prevails year-round, with nearly 3300 hours of bright sunshine annually. The National Weather Service in Amarillo forecasts and provides climatic data for the city. Extreme temperatures range from −16 °F (−26.7 °C) on February 12, 1899 to 111 °F (43.9 °C) on June 26, 2011, but lows do not typically dip to 0 °F or −17.8 °C in most years, while highs above 100 °F or 37.8 °C are seen on 4.7 days on average. On average, there are 5.9 days of lows at or below 10 °F or −12.2 °C, 8.8 days where
4087-468: The temperature fails to rise above freezing, and 61 days of 90 °F (32.2 °C)+ highs. Unlike in the Rio Grande Valley or eastern portions of Texas, days where the low does not fall below 70 °F or 21.1 °C are relatively rare, due to the aridity and elevation. Blizzards occur occasionally, but snowfall is typically light, averaging nearly 18 inches or 46 centimeters seasonally and
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#17327658658974154-506: The top 24 in season 8 on the hit show American Idol . She returned to the show again in season 9 and advanced to the top 12 but was eliminated from the program on March 17, 2010. Former residents Evander "Ziggy" Hood and Montrel Meander are in the National Football League. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of
4221-449: The town in 1889, prompting more people to move to Sanborn's location. This eventually led to another county seat election making Sanborn's town the new county seat in 1893. By the late 1890s, Amarillo had emerged as one of the world's busiest cattle-shipping points, and its population grew significantly. The city became a grain elevator , milling, and feed-manufacturing center after an increase in production of wheat and small grains during
4288-509: The war, both of the facilities were closed. The Pantex Plant was reopened in 1950 and produced nuclear weapons throughout the Cold War . In 1949, a deadly F4 tornado devastated much of Amarillo, shortly after nightfall on May 15, tearing through the south and east sides of the city, killing seven people, and injuring more than 80 others. The tornado touched down southwest of Amarillo, near the town of Hereford, then tracked its way northward, on
4355-470: The yellow soil along their banks and shores ( Amarillo is the Spanish word for the color yellow). Early residents originally pronounced the city's name more similar to the Spanish pronunciation / ˌ ɑː m ə ˈ r iː j oʊ / ah-mə- REE -yoh , which was later displaced by the current pronunciation. On June 19, 1888, Henry B. Sanborn , who is given credit as the "Father of Amarillo", and his business partner Joseph F. Glidden began buying land to
4422-480: Was Tyson Foods, with 3,700 employees. The Amarillo Independent School District was next with 3,659 employees followed by Pantex, Baptist St. Anthony's Health Care System, City of Amarillo, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Amarillo College , Wal-mart, and United Supermarkets . Other major employers include Bell Helicopter Textron, Owens-Corning, Amarillo National Bank and ASARCO . Approximately 14 million acres (57,000 km ) of agricultural land surrounds
4489-443: Was as follows: 7.6% of the population was under the age of 5, 26.8% was under the age of 18, 73.2% 18 and older, 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.1 years. The median income for a household in the city was $ 52,941, and the median income for a family was $ 64,632. Married-couple families had a median income of $ 80,819, and non-family households had a median income of $ 31,663. About 15.4% of families were below
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