Amarillo in Potter County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Henry Bradley Sanborn
(1845-1912)
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, May 20, 2020
1. Henry Bradley Sanborn Marker
Principal early-day developer of Amarillo. Born in New York State; employed 1875 by barbed wire inventor J.F. Glidden as his Texas sales agent. With Glidden he established the famous 250,000-acre Frying Pan Ranch in 1881 to prove the economic advantages of barbed wire fencing.
Building of the Fort Worth & Denver City Railway through the region led voters to organize Potter County. In the election on Aug. 30, 1887, Sanborn offered a site for the county seat. A rival section was chosen. Undaunted, Sanborn began developing the Glidden & Sanborn Addition one mile east of the new town site. In 1889 heavy rains and other inducements led residents to move to Glidden & Sanborn Addition. In 1892 Sanborn traded his interest in the Frying Pan for Glidden's interest in the city. In 1898 he secured a rail connection to the South Plains which assured the future of Amarillo.
On this site Sanborn and his wife (Glidden's niece, Ellen Wheeler) had their home, an office building, a carriage house, stables for their six matched coach horses, and a deer park.
Henry Bradley Sanborn, "Father of Amarillo," died on May 19, 1912. (1971)
Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 22769.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 35° 12.43′ N, 101° 49.847′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. Marker can be reached from South Buchanan Street near Southeast 7th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in the courtyard between the Amarillo Civic Center Center (north) and Amarillo City Hall (south). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amarillo TX 79101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Amarillo (here, next to this marker); Rick Husband (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry B. Sanborn (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Potter County (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Potter County (approx. ¼ mile away); Potter County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Potter County Library (approx. ¼ mile away); A.T. & S.F. No. 5000 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amarillo.
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, May 20, 2020
2. Henry Bradley Sanborn and Amarillo Markers
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, May 20, 2020
3. Henry Bradley Sanborn and Amarillo Markers
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, May 20, 2020
4. An additional marker and the cornerstone from the Municipal Auditorium
The smaller metal marker reads: Corner stone from Municipal Auditorium which was the Cultural Center of the Panhandle at this site until May 1968
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
