Catholic Museum in Amarillo? See Artifacts from St. Anthony's

St. Anthony's Hospital was the premier hospital to go to back in the day.

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Although the hospital was founded over 100 years ago, the building now stands in ruins and boarded up windows. It was the hospital in Amarillo.

I have vivid memories of St. Anthony's. As a child it's where we would go to visit my grandfather during his many hospital stays. I vividly remember the stained glass windows near the entrance of the hospital. So bright with blues and reds, it was beautiful. I also remember the walkway that went between the two hospitals. I remember thinking wow, we're walking over a street into another building.

Once Baptist Healthcare Systems and St. Anthony's merged, that building just slowly found itself empty and deteriorating. However, the building is currently being remodeled and becoming a future Senior Living facility. This will be a great addition to North Heights and Amarillo. Plus, a great way to save a piece of Amarillo history. I hope they keep the stained glass if it is still intact.

Speaking of Amarillo history and St. Anthony's Hospital, you can see some great history of the hospital. At the Amarillo Diocese Museum.

Did you know that Amarillo had a Catholic Museum? I didn't, but they do! Not only does this museum have a lot about the history of the Diocese in Amarillo, but a lot of great history about St. Anthony's Hospital. You'll be able to see pictures, and artifacts of the long gone hospital and it's beginnings. It a cool rich history of our one of our city's past healthcare facilities.

If you're interested, in touring the museum and seeing the amazing St. Anthony's history, you can visit the museum located at 4512 NE 24th. If you are wanting a guided tour or you want a group tour you will need to call and make an appointment.

The Abandoned St. Anthony's Hospital on Amarillo Boulevard

The 119-year-old abandoned hospital is a fascinating place for any who are lucky enough to be granted the chance to explore.

The sprawling building saw thousands of Amarillo's citizens inside its halls daily, all the the way until it was shuttered in 2001. But there are still incredible artifacts of the all-too-recent past tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the old St. Anthony.

The explorer who took these photographs gave the following information:

"Many rooms were left untouched, we found patient files, old prescriptions, a blood transfusion machine from the 60s, and microscopic slides of breast cancer from the 70s and 80s. I put one picture in here of some heart scans so you can see the dates and diagnosis of the patient, but marked out the patient’s names of course. During a time when mental illness was not understood, 76 exorcisms were documented to have been performed between 1909 and 1931."

Take a look inside the halls of the legendary abandoned St. Anthony's hospital

A Look Inside the Abandoned St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas

The old St. Anthony's hospital in Amarillo, Texas has sat abandoned--but not forgotten--since the early 2000s. The 100-year-old structure still cuts an imposing and impressive figure against the Amarillo skyline. The building serves as a cornerstone memory for many Amarillo natives--the place where life begun (or came to an end).

But for decades, the old St. Anthony's hospital has remained under careful surveillance, and not many know what now lies within. In July 2021, local artist and photographer, Ian Watson, was granted full access to the abandoned hospital--his photos offer an intimate and stark look at the legendary landmark of St. Anthony's as it stands now.