Amarillo and Its Historic 6th Avenue

We loved our visit to Amarillo, especially the time we spent exploring the extraordinary stretch of Route 66 on historic 6^th Avenue.

Like many large cities, Amarillo had multiple alignments of Route 66. The 1926 alignment approached Amarillo from the east on what’s now Northeast 8^th Avenue (TX 2575), continuing west on Amarillo Boulevard (Business I-40). The 1926 alignment turned south (left) on North Fillmore Street into downtown Amarillo, then west (right) on what’s now Southwest 6^th Avenue (TX 279).

In 1956, a second Route 66 alignment was created to bypass downtown Amarillo. Instead of turning south on North Fillmore Street, the “Beltline Route 66” alignment continued west on Amarillo Boulevard (Business I-40). Amarillo Boulevard curves south and rejoins the 1926 alignment on the western edge of the city. When the Beltline Route 66 was created, the 1926 alignment on North Fillmore Street and Southwest 6^th Avenue became known as “Business Route 66.”

Another change to Route 66 came in the 1940s or 1950s (I haven’t been able to find the exact date), when Amarillo’s airport and air force base, along the north side of Northeast 8^th Avenue west of Amarillo, expanded runways across Northeast 8^th Avenue, cutting off the 1926 Route 66. Route 66 was rerouted along what’s now Business I-40. It then turned left (southwest) on US 60, passing the north side of the airport and merging into Amarillo Boulevard west of the airport.

Obviously there are a lot of choices on which Route 66 alignments to see! We wanted to stick with the 1926 alignment as much as possible, so when the I-40 frontage road from Groom, Texas, ended at Business I-40, we continued straight onto TX 2575, which became Northeast 8^th Avenue.

My husband went to Amarillo Air Force Base for basic training in the 1960s, so he was interested in seeing what remained of it (it closed in 1968). So in about 3 miles, we turned right (north) on F Avenue, which was looked like it might have been a main road through the base. Everything was gone except the roads. 

Site of Amarillo Air Force Base, looking north (from Google Maps)

Site of Amarillo Air Force Base, looking west (from Google Maps)

 

Some of the land is now the East Campus of Amarillo College.

 After driving around, we took B Avenue to rejoin Route 66 on US 60 (Business I-40) into Amarillo. There are a number of old motels along US 60.

The 1926 alignment took Fillmore Street south into downtown Amarillo, but it’s now one way north, so we took Taylor Street south downtown, then turned right (west) on 6^th Avenue to continue on Route 66. At the corner of 6^th and Polk was our hotel for the night: The Barfield.

Entrance to the Barfield

The Barfield, at 600 South Polk Street, was built in the early 1900s and restored and reopened in 2021. It’s really beautiful. We stayed there because it’s on the original Route 66 alignment and only a bit over a mile from Amarillo’s Route 66 historic district.

The Barfield's lobby

In the Barfield’s basement is the Paramount Recreation Club, a restored speakeasy. I’ll give away a secret: To open the door, push the lever for Paramount Cigarettes on the vintage cigarette machine.

Outside the entrance to the Paramount Recreation Club in the Barfield

The next morning we started our day by visiting one of the highlights of our entire trip: Amarillo’s Route 66 historic district. It’s on 6^th Avenue between Georgia and Western Streets. Confusingly, the street and historic district are referred to as 6^th Street, not 6^th Avenue, by the National Park Service  and even local displays.

Directory of businesses along 6th Avenue in Amarillo

If you want to look up an address, note that the street here is officially Southwest 6^th Avenue—there are other 6^th Avenues in Amarillo!

We started our visit to the historic district with a great breakfast at Meme’s D.O.C. at 3700 Southwest 6^th Avenue.

Meme's D.O.C. in Amarillo

Photos can’t capture Meme’s warm, friendly atmosphere and service. Our breakfast was one of the most memorable on our trip!

Interior of Meme's D.O.C.

We then walked up and down the historic district. It’s about a mile and is full of interesting shops, restaurants, and sights, making it a great walk. From east to west, here’s what we saw.

On the southwest corner of 6^th Avenue and Georgia Street is a large building constructed in 1922 as a natatorium: an indoor swimming pool.

The Nat in Amarillo

The Gothic Revival building became the Nat Ballroom in 1926. Today it’s an antique mall and often called simply the Nat.

 Just south of the Nat is the former San Jacinto Fire Station at 610 South Georgia Street. 

Former San Jacinto Fire Station in Amarillo

 The fire station was built in 1926 in Mission Revival style.

 Across 6^th Avenue from the Nat, the building at 2700 6^th Avenue has a beautiful Art Deco entrance.

2700 6th Avenue in Albuquerque

The buildings at 2713-2727 6^th Avenue are called the Bussey Buildings, built in the late 1920s. At 2719 6^th Avenue is Lile Art Gallery.

Lile Art Gallery in Amarillo

Bob Lile is one of Route 66’s great enthusiasts! Stop in to say hi and get answers to all your Route 66 questions.

At 2819 6^th Avenue is a former gas station.

Former gas station on 6th Avenue in Amarillo

At 2903 6^th Avenue is Smokey Joe’s Café.

Smokey Joe's Cafe in Amarillo

At 2906 6^th Avenue is the GoldenLight Cafe and Cantina, a Route 66 institution since 1946.

GoldenLight Cafe and Cantina in Amarillo

At 3000 6^th Avenue is a former Sinclair gas station, with a dinosaur still on top.

Former Sinclair station on 6th Avenue in Amarillo

At 3120 6^th Avenue is the former Borden’s Heap-O-Cream.

Former Borden's Heap-O-Cream in Amarillo

The Heap-o-Cream was—you guessed it—an ice cream shop. It was built in 1941 in Art Deco Streamline Moderne style.

We thought this building at 3211 6^th Avenue was really cool.

3211 6th Avenue in Amarillo

At 3215 6^th Avenue is OPH Furniture & Antiques. I’d love to learn about what was obviously once a cool neon sign.

3215 6th Avenue in Amarillo

At 3301 6^th Avenue is another former gas station with some cool Mission Revival accents.

Former gas station at 3301 6th Avenue

Between Mississippi and South Carolina Streets, at 3300-3310 6^th Avenue,  is a delightful strip of vintage shop buildings.

Amarillo's 6th Avenue between Mississippi and South Carolina Streets

When we visited in April 2022, Texas Ivy Antiques was at 3511 6^th Avenue.

Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo in April 2022

Sadly, Texas Ivy Antiques was heavily damaged by fire in August 2022. We wish the best for Dora as she recovers!

At 3514 6^th Avenue is the former Taylor’s Texaco Station.

Former Taylor's Texaco Station in Amarillo

It was built in 1950 in Art Deco Streamline Moderne style. Today it’s The Handle Bar & Grill.

At 3515 6^th Avenue is a former Cities Service station, now Moe's Dogs.

Former Cities Service station in Amarillo, now Moe's Dogs

We loved our walk up and down the historic district, but we learned an important lesson. We arrived in Amarillo late in the afternoon and visited 6^th Avenue early the following morning, when virtually everything was closed. So don’t plan overnight stops in towns with sights you want to see.  A midday stop in Amarillo would have let us browse the businesses along 6^th Avenue. We have to come back!

We left Amarillo on 6^th Avenue, heading west toward Adrian, Texas.

By the way, if you think we missed a couple of Amarillo sights that many Route 66 enthusiasts consider iconic, you’re right! We didn’t visit the Cadillac Ranch or the Big Texan Steakhouse. Neither of them is on any of Amarillo’s Route 66 alignments, and we weren’t interested in making a detour to see either of them. As I explain in my page on Setting Priorities, there is so much to see along Route 66 that you can't see it all unless you have unlimited time. So one of the keys to a great Route 66 road trip is deciding what you're most interested in seeing. For us, 6th Avenue was our priority in Amarillo. As you can see, we were really happy with our decision!