The Neighborhood
Amarillo Route 66 Information
San Jacinto Heights was plotted in 1909.
6th Street was the first paved (with gravel) highway through Amarillo.
Besides being part of the Route 66 Highway it was also part of the Ozark Trail Highway.
To help attract new residents a Trolley line ran from the San Jacinto Heights neighborhood to downtown Amarillo from 1910-1926
In 1921 there were 86 homes in San Jacinto
The Natatorium was built in 1922 as an open air community swimming pool. In 1926 the pool was drained and turned into a dance floor and stage. Many big bands and early rock & roll bands played at the NAT.
6th Street was widened twice in it’s history, the 1st time in the 1926 and the 2nd time in 1942. In the widening of 1942 several of the buildings, mainly on the north side of the Street, had parts removed and new fronts added. That is why many of the buildings look “newer” and are so close to the sidewalk. The original San Jacinto Baptist Church (later Methodist, now CornerStone) at 6th & Tennessee is a good example, the steps once went straight out and now you can see that they go to the side.
In the 1950’s Route 66 was re-routed to the newly open 8th Street (now Amarillo Blvd.) which caused many of the businesses that catered to travelers to move or close. In the 60’s, I-40 replaced both as the main highway.
In the 1980’s, antique dealers, bars, and restaurants took an interest in the district and began the revitalization that we see today on 6th Street.
In the 1990’s, the district and a number of the buildings were listed on the National Historic Register. The Streetscape, which includes the brick walk, trees and decorative light poles, was completed.
Today we have over 100 Mom & Pop or locally owned businesses operating on our mile of Old Route 66.
Texas State Highway Loop 279
Loop 279, formerly Business U.S. Highway 66, is a state highway in Amarillo, Texas, United States. (EB)It runs from Amarillo Boulevard (Interstate 40 Business) and Bell Street east along 9th Avenue, Bushland Boulevard and 6th Avenue to end at Fillmore Street (northbound U.S. Route 87). (WB) The original alignment can be accessed by turning south from Amarillo Boulevard onto Pierce Street (southbound U.S. Route 87), continuing south to 6th Street and turning west. Along this vintage route are a number of old services that continue to stand, though most not in their original form.
Loop 279 begins at an interchange with I-40 Business and Bell Street near Amarillo College in Amarillo, Potter County, heading east on SW 9th Avenue, a four-lane divided highway. The road soon becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane as it passes through commercial areas before heading between the Amarillo Country Club to the north and residential areas to the south, losing the center turn lane. The highway turns northeast onto Bushland Boulevard at this point and continues south of the golf course. Loop 279 narrows into a two-lane road and heads past businesses, turning east onto SW 6th Avenue. The road heads through more commercial areas with some homes before heading into an area of more businesses. The highway heads into the commercial downtown of Amarillo, widening into a four-lane road. Here, Loop 279 crosses the southbound direction of US 287 before ending at an intersection with the northbound direction of US 87.
The route was originally the main line of U.S. Route 66, which turned north on Fillmore Street (concurrent with US 87) to the current Business IH 40. A new alignment along Amarillo Boulevard was built ca. 1953, and in mid-1954 the old alignment (west of Fillmore Street) was designated Loop 279 and signed as Business US 66 (Business US 66 continued north on Fillmore Street to new US 66). At some point, Fillmore Street became one-way northbound, and westbound Business US 66 was moved to either Taylor Street or Pierce Street. When US 66 was decommissioned in Texas in 1985, the Business US 66 designation was dropped.
In our neighborhood we have three schools:
San Jacinto Elementary School: Kindergarten - 5 grade Located at 5th & Carolina
San Jacinto Christian Academy: Kindergarten - 12 grade Located at 6th & Carolina
Sam Houston Middle School: 6-8 grade Located at 7th & Western
We also have Heal the City Clinic, a privately run organization that provides health care to San Jacinto (and Amarillo) residents that they would not receive otherwise.
The History of a MILE of Route 66 in Amarillo Texas
The phrase “Route 66 is not a destination, it's a journey“ is what travelers from all over the world come to experience. While that journey will cover over 2000 miles and take you through 8 different states . . . One of the best MILES you will encounter along the way will be located along 6th Ave. between Western & Georgia Streets in Amarillo Texas! Over one mile of antiques, collectibles and food await the visitor to Historic Route 66, one of the city's first residential and business districts known as The San Jacinto Heights Addition.
The U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic District runs for 13 blocks along 6th St. between Georgia and Forrest Aves. west of downtown and is Amarillo’s most intact collection of commercial buildings that possess significant associations with the highway. Featuring elements of Spanish Revival, Art Deco, and Art Modern design, these buildings represent the historic development phases of this early 20th century suburb and the evolving tastes and sensibilities of American culture.
This stretch of the old pavement was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, with numerous old buildings refurbished and fashionably restored this district is now a hub for nightlife and shopping . . . an antique district, full of collectibles, boutiques and street-side cafes, and the surrounding San Jacinto neighborhood remains a vibrant center of activity.
Look for the “brown” Historic Texas US Route 66 highway signs installed by the City of Amarillo marking the route through Amarillo, making it easier for visitors to find that piece of Americana. The current Historic 6th Street on Route 66 Association has installed Texas 66 signs on the silver light poles and will help interested businesses buy a Texas 66 trash can.
Old Route 66 on Sixth Street as it is called by locals, is home to many old historic buildings. Below are just a few of those:
The NAT:
The old Natatorium is located at 604 South Georgia. Familiarly called “The Nat,” it is one of the most famous, and according to legend, most haunted as well.
"Natatorium” is an old-fashioned word for an indoor swimming pool and when this Gothic Revival style building opened in July, 1922, that’s exactly what it housed. However, in 1926, J.D. Tucker purchased the pool building and the interior was redesigned adding some Art Deco ornamentation and neon lighting. Covering the pool over with a fine wooden polished maple dance floor he turned it into a dance palace. The Nat Ballroom began to cater to the flappers of the Roaring 20’s. The second floor was adapted with new sitting areas and private rooms. After hosting headliners like Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington, the Nat closed its doors in the 1960s. Only to reopen later as an antique mall . . . then it was host to catered parties & wrestling events. In the summer of 2011 it helped to host the International Route 66 Festival. In 2012 it was once again under renovation and reopened in 2013 as The NAT Antique shop.
Bussey Buildings
The Bussey Buildings are located at 2713-2727 West Sixth and were the first major commercial buildings in the district. Built in the late 1920s, the modest strip of commercial buildings consists of four storefronts with large glass display windows and dark brick with limestone detailing. The building’s most famous occupant was the San Jacinto Beauty School, which received Texas’ first beauty license. The beauty school occupied the store from 1941 to 1964. This row of wonderful historic buildings is now home to Whispering Pine Antiques, Amarillo Route 66 Shop, Lile Art Gallery, and 6th Street Antique Mall.
Cazzell Buildings
The Cazzell Buildings are located across the street from each other at 2806 and 2801 West Sixth. W.E. Cazzell purchased the one-story brick building at 2806 West Sixth in 1918 and operated a general store and post office. When he sold the building in 1922, he commissioned a new two-story one across the street. The one story brick building @ 2806 W 6th was recently home to Mr. Fish Restaurant. Across the street in the two story building you will find Alley Katz Antique Mall and Game Quest. While once a boarding house it is also rumored to have been a Cat House.
Golden Light Café
The Golden Light is the oldest restaurant in Amarillo and perhaps the oldest restaurant continuously operating in the same location anywhere on Old Route 66.
Golden Light Café & Bar at 2908 W 6th Ave. was established in 1946, in the very location it is in today, by Chester "Pop" Ray and his wife, Louise. Pop was born in 1889 and died in 1971. Actually, Pop got sick about a week before The Golden Light was to open so his son Charles and wife, Edye, opened the doors for the first time. Charles got some plywood, built a few booths and with some hamburger meat and buns grossed $10.48 the first day. Pop was well in a few weeks and ran the café until 1957, when he got tired of cooking hamburgers and sold it to Dorothy Gaulden. Dorothy ran it until 1979. Then Bill and Pat Alexander bought it and continued to serve those same great burgers. Marc Reed was the fourth owner and in many ways made The Golden Light what it is today. The chili recipe has changed with each owner; Pop’s recipe was lost, Dorothy won’t let anyone have hers, Bill and Pat’s great taste is hard to cook consistently, and I (Angela) just can’t seem to get Marc’s exactly right, so as tradition would have it, I now have my own recipe.
Mural Building
2912 W 6th Ave. is home to one of the murals on the Street. This location has been home to several different antique shops and businesses in it’s life time, but actually was an electrical supply house first, but with the passing of Tom warren owner of Wilson Electric Lamp Co. if will soon have a new owner and another “new” business. You will also find murals on several other buildings on the street.
Art Deco Building
Located at 2920 W. 6th Ave. is a fantastic Art Deco brick building. Built in 1939 we believe it started out as a piano store and later became a market. It will open soon as an antique shop!
Borden’s Heap-O-Cream
Borden’s Heap-O-Cream at 3120 West Sixth is a one-story frame building with Art Modern detailing such as oval plate glass windows, 3-lite wood double doors and a rounded metal awning on front and sides. Preservation Amarillo and the San Jacinto Boy Scout Troop rehabilitated the building in 1990. The grandson of the original sign painter provided plans to aid in replication of color, dimension, and style.
Adkinson-Baker Tire Company
The Adkinson-Baker Tire Company was located at 3200 West Sixth. This service station was built in 1939 and is fronted by a projecting canopy over the pump island. The station originally housed the Adkinson-Baker Tire Co.#2 and exclusively sold Texaco gas. It was sold in 1945 and became the Theo A. Bippus Service Station. The Adkinson Baker Tire Company is one of three extant historic stations in the district and has been virtually unchanged since it opened in 1939. This building is unoccupied.
Carolina Building
A fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the Caroline Building at 3313-23 West Sixth is divided by brick piers into eight, glass storefronts. Built in 1926, it is one of the earliest examples of strip commercial buildings in Amarillo. Original occupants included an auto paint firm, a barbershop, beauty shop and a drug store. The red tile pent roof runs the length of the building and shades the store entrances and display windows. The parapet features cast concrete coping broken by several gables. This row is now two new businesses with a private residence between them. At 3317 W. 6th Ave. is Evolve by Moonwater and at 3323 W 6th Ave. is The Neon Moon.
Dutch Mill Service Station and Café
The Dutch Mill Service Station and Café had been in operation since 1932 at 3401 West Sixth. This seemingly plain looking building may fool visitors, but it has just as much character as some of the flashier places. The stuccoed walls are pierced by a glass paneled door, plate glass windows, and a roll down garage door. Ornamental crenellations grace the building, which originally featured a large Dutch windmill at its curbside to attract passing motorists. Until the 1950's this building housed both the service station and the café, which later expanded into the larger building at 3403 West Sixth. 3401 W. 6th Ave. Unfortunately the original building (3401 W 6th Ave.) has been renovated and the overhead door was covered up. It has just recently undergone more changes to the front with the new owners 6th Street Law Office restoring the look of the carriage doors. Long Hunters has found a home at 3403 W. 6th Ave.
One Story Home
Texas Ivy Antiques is located at 3511 W 6th Ave. in a vintage 1920’s single story wood structure home. It was built in 1921 by a man who worked for the railroad. It was a single family dwelling until 1997 when it became Texas Ivy Antiques. It is the oldest operating Antique Shop (with the same family) on the Street . . . Celebrating 23 years in 2020!
Taylor’s Texaco Station
Taylor’s Texaco Station is located at 3512 West Sixth. Built using the standard Texaco design developed by Walter D. Teauge in 1937, this one-story station clad in white porcelain has a projecting canopy over the pump island and also houses an office, two service bays, and restrooms. One of the first standardized gas station designs, the basic formula and red star motif provided instant recognition for the motorist in search of Texaco products. The address of this old service station is now 3514 W. 6th Ave and is home to The Handle Bar & Grill, Wild Bill’s Fillin’ Station has moved two blocks west to the old Barnaby Beanery building.
Two Story Home
On the corner of W. 6th Ave. and Maryland Street (600 S. Maryland) stands a beautiful two story wood home that is listed on the Historical Registry. This home was built in 1921 by Mr. Nash who was also the owner. This fantastic structure is currently unoccupied but was Maryland House Antiques for many years.
The Drive In
This drive-in was an A&W restaurant in the 1970’s and then it was home to Jay’s Café for many years following that. Located at 3700 W 6th Ave. this original drive-in is now home to a new restaurant on Route 66, Meme‘s D.O.C. Cafe!
Martin’s Phillips 66 Station
Martin’s Phillips 66 Station at 3821 West Sixth operated from the 1930s to the 1990s. The earliest facility at this site included the corporation’s standard issue Tudor Revival style cottage, designed to blend in with a residential neighborhood. The building survived on the site until after construction of the current facility in 1963. Designed to catch the eye, its replacement exhibits exaggerated modernistic features including an office with canted plate glass walls, angled service bay entrances, and a soaring triangular canopy over the pump island. Herb Martin operated the station through all the changes in styles and marketing. Martin assisted many Route 66 travelers during the 1930s, giving gas to some and allowing those without money for lodging to spend the night at the station. This building is now Flowers Automotive.
Hubbell Duplex
Prominent local architect Guy Carlander designed the Hubbell Duplex at 3912 West Sixth in 1925 for Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell, who owned Hubbell Diamond T Truck Company. At the western end of one of Amarillo’s busiest streets, the house typifies the modest housing built during the city’s boom years. The dark brown brick dwelling features typical Craftsman details such as battered brick piers supporting the twin entry porticoes. The duplex remains virtually unchanged since its construction. Both sides are now an AirBnB ready for the Route 66 traveler!
San Jacinto Fire Station
Located at 610 South Georgia, the San Jacinto Fire Station was built in 1926 to serve the rapidly growing population of the San Jacinto area. The one-story brick building was designed in Mission Revival style with a red tile roof, battered walls and curvilinear parapets. The station served the neighborhood until 1975 and is the only surviving pre-World War II fire station in Amarillo.
San Jacinto Methodist Church Building
Constructed in 1926, the San Jacinto Methodist Church building is located at 505 South Tennessee and is now home to Cornerstone Church. The church is a two-story, dark brown brick building with a pedimented entryway supported by square brick pilasters with a double limestone stringcourse below the cornice. The double entry doors sit below an arched stained glass transom. When Sixth Street was widened in 1924, the church lost its original entry stairway. The original concrete steps lead to Sixth Street and were flanked by a broad balustrade capped in cast stone. Today, the main entrance is on South Tennessee and flanked with pipe railings. The south façade of the church features four sets of paired wooden double hung, narrow stained glass windows, with two pairs of the same windows lighting the east and west sides of the entry. A large two-story brick building was added in the rear that houses the present sanctuary and educational facilities.
Information from:
Historic District Pillar
National Park Service
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
and former 6th Street Associations archive files.
Provided by Historic 6th on Route 66 Association