Amarillo

Amarillo is a county seat in the northern part of Texas, spreading across Potter and Randall Counties at an elevation of roughly 3600 feet (1100 meters) on a high plateau. The city unfolds over flat, wide terrain with straight roads, low buildings and sprawling commercial zones that stretch for miles in every direction.

The settlement began in 1887 as a rail construction camp and quickly turned into a shipping point for cattle as trains carried livestock from the Panhandle to eastern markets. The discovery of natural gas and oil in the 1920s transformed the town into a regional hub for energy and processing industries.

Cattle ranching traditions remain visible in the local economy, with auctions and rodeo events bringing together ranchers, traders and spectators throughout the year. Western wear stores line major commercial streets, and most residents favor casual clothing shaped by practical outdoor work rather than urban fashion trends.

The city sits along several interstate highways, making it easy for drivers to move between neighborhoods and attractions spread over a large area. Summers are hot and dry, while winter can bring occasional snow, especially between December and February, so pack clothing accordingly.

Underground helium reserves nearby make this a central storage site for the national helium program, which has operated since the 1920s. A public monument on the outskirts marks the geological importance of this element, once used in airships and now essential in medical technology.

Location: Potter County

Inception: 1887

Elevation above the sea: 1,099 m

Shares border with: Canyon

Website: https://amarillo.gov

GPS coordinates: 35.19917,-101.84528

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:25