Amarillo in Potter County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Barfield
Photographed by Allen Lowrey, November 13, 2025
1. The Barfield Marker
Inscription.
The Barfield. . Investor and developer Melissa Dora "M.D." Oliver-Eakle (1860-1931) built the 10-story Oliver-Eakle building in 1927. Wyatt C. Hedrick was the architect and Hughes-O'Rourke Construction Co. were contractors. Her grandson Bourdon Barfield renamed it the Barfield in 1947. The steel frame and brick-clad structure has a two-story base and mezzanine, six-story shaft and a two-story capital with cast stone details. A copper awning tops the main entrance. The building served as offices for attorneys, the helium activity of the Bureau of Mines, and others during the 1960's. The building closed in the 1970's but was redeveloped as a hotel.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2024.
Investor and developer Melissa Dora "M.D." Oliver-Eakle (1860-1931) built the 10-story Oliver-Eakle building in 1927. Wyatt C. Hedrick was the architect and Hughes-O'Rourke Construction Co. were contractors. Her grandson Bourdon Barfield renamed it the Barfield in 1947. The steel frame and brick-clad structure has a two-story base and mezzanine, six-story shaft and a two-story capital with cast stone details. A copper awning tops the main entrance. The building served as offices for attorneys, the helium activity of the Bureau of Mines, and others during the 1960's. The building closed in the 1970's but was redeveloped as a hotel.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2024
Erected 2024 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 24223.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 35° 12.445′ N, 101° 50.233′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It is at the intersection of South Polk Street and SE 6th Ave, on the right when traveling south on South Polk Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 S Polk Street, Amarillo TX 79101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle. It is also on the American Great Plains, specifically on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2025, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2025, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
