Potter County, Texas

A.T. & S.F. No. 5000 "Madam Queen" Alice Victoria Ghormley Curtis House Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo Helium Plant Amarillo Livestock Auction Amarillo Natatorium ("The Nat") Amarillo Tri-State Fair American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, The Amarillo Story Avery and Mary Turner House Bivins Home Bivins Library (PLATE 81) Canadian River Canadian River Municipal Water Authority - Canadian River Project Canadian River Project Clarence and Lorraine Eakle House Dr. Charles Newton Gould Eakle-Archer House Edward L. and Margaret Seewald Roberts House First Cemetery in Potter County First Cemetery in Potter County First Gas Well in the Panhandle of Texas First Hospital on the High Plains of Texas - St. Anthony's Hospital - Founded 1901 First Transcontinental Air Service to Texas Panhandle, Amarillo Municipal Airport Fisk Medical Arts & Professional Building Fort Smith-Santa Fe Trail Gregg Route, 1840 Fort Smith-Santa Fe Trail Marcy Route, 1849 Fort Worth and Denver City Railway, First Railroad through the Texas Panhandle Frying Pan Ranch Ft. Smith-Santa Fe Trail, Marcy Rt. 1849 (RE81) General Ernest O. Thompson Great Spanish Road; First Ranch in Potter County; First Store in Potter County Gregg Trail H. B. Sanborn House H. W. and Katie Galbraith House Helium Time Columns Monument and Museum Henry B. Sanborn Herring-Crudgington House Homesite of Judge James Nathan Browning Houghton House International Harvester Building Juan de Padilla LX Ranch Mary (Masterson) and John Fain House McBride Ranch House Melissa Dora Oliver-Eakle Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing Old First Baptist Church Ordway Hall Polk Street Schools Polk Street United Methodist Church Potter County Potter County Potter County Courthouse Potter County Library Potter County, Establishing of Route 66 in Amarillo Rush, William Henry Russell Gymnasium Santa Fe Building Shuford-Killough House Site of Significant Archaeological Find, American Mammoths Smith-Rogers House St. Anthony's Hospital St. Francis Catholic Church Community St. Mary's Academy Tecovas Springs The _X (LX) First Ranch in Potter County United States Topographical Engineers in the High Plains of Texas Wild Horse Lake William Henry Bush

Potter County, Texas has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s. The county was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Kiowa, who used the land for hunting and gathering. In the mid-19th century, European settlers began to arrive, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for ranching.

In 1876, Potter County was officially established and named after Robert Potter, a lawyer and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The county's first town, Amarillo, was founded soon after and quickly became the county seat. Initially, Amarillo served as a cattle shipping point and a center for trade, attracting businesses and settlers from surrounding areas.

The early 20th century brought significant development to Potter County. The discovery of oil in nearby areas in the 1920s led to a boom in the county, with oil companies setting up operations and bringing wealth and jobs to the region. This growth and prosperity continued throughout the 20th century, with Amarillo becoming a major economic and cultural hub in the Texas Panhandle.

Today, Potter County continues to thrive as a vibrant community. Its economy is diversified, with significant contributions from industries such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism. The county boasts numerous parks, museums, and attractions, making it an attractive destination for visitors. With its rich history and ongoing growth, Potter County remains a significant contributor to the heritage and economy of Texas.
Brief timeline of the history of Potter County, Texas:

  • Potter County is formed on August 21, 1876
  • In 1886, Amarillo becomes the county seat of Potter County
  • The first courthouse in Potter County is built in 1887
  • The first oil well is drilled in Potter County in 1921
  • Potter County experiences significant growth during the oil boom of the 1920s
  • Palo Duro Canyon State Park is established in Potter County in 1934
  • In 1951, the Pantex Plant is established in Potter County, becoming a key facility for the assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons
  • The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, held annually in Potter County, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2021

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Potter County, Texas.