Oh How the Years Have Been Good to the Amarillo Building

Amarillo has some deep history. I was driving in Downtown Amarillo the other day when I passed the Amarillo Building. I decided I needed to do a little research on this building. I can remember it being around for as long as I have been living here.

I know it has more to it than that. So I found some great information on the building. I can not believe that it has been around since 1925. So it is getting close to one hundred years of history.

What Did it Take to Create Such a Building?

Back in 1925 the people of Amarillo the few we had. Amarillo was home to under 16,000 people but they knew Amarillo would grow. And grow we did. Ernest O'Thompson and Ross Rogers thought we needed a high rise in our city.

So they got a group of ten investors who wanted to use their time, money, and effort to help the dream of our great city. They used that money to build an eight-story building for $359,000. That building was part of the Amarillo Building we know now. Well, part of it anyway.

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This building was going to be a place that would host office space for the tenants. On December 31, 195 the owners and original tenants threw a grand opening party. The tenants were doctors, accountants, law offices even some retail shops. The building was a success and filled to capacity.

Just a year later they decided they needed more space so they started construction on the second tower, which is what we know today.

This building has never been vacant or unused in all of the years. I would consider that a success. It has changed ownership a few times. In 1980 T. Boone Pickens and Mesa Petroleum took the place over and remodeled it for their use.

After that it was turned back into an office building. In 2006 and Amarillo Commercial Group including Kevin and Ginger Nelson purchase the building and eventually, the Nelsons took over as sole owners.

Their goal was to keep it and the history of Amarillo going. They even had a 90th Anniversary and New Year's Eve Party back on December 31, 2015. Which has been several years ago.

Guess What That Means?

We are inching closer to their 100th-year celebration. I can only imagine what that will be like. Save the date for December 31, 2025. It will be the party of this building's century that is for sure.

Downtown Amarillo Over The Years

Downtown Amarillo has seen an incredible metamorphosis. Take a look at the photos below to see just how much it's changed--you won't believe the difference.

Amarillo Cursed Buildings - 715 S. Polk

Polk Street is a great place to spend an evening. However, over the years, Polk Street has seen many businesses come and go. One of these buildings is at 715 S. Polk. It has been many things over the years, mainly bars, but it seems as soon as one moves in, it moves right out.

So what all has been in there? Let's take a look back at 715 S. Polk.

This building was originally built in 1915, it was known as The Hollywood.

Source: Oh How the Years Have Been Good to the Amarillo Building