Amarillo in Potter County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Santa Fe Building

Photographed By Ricky D. Smith, January 2, 2011

1. Santa Fe Building Marker

Inscription. Built in 1928-30 at a cost of $1,500,000, this structure was designed by Santa Fe Railroad architect E. A. Harrison. The 14-story building was the tallest in Amarillo until the 1970s, and housed the offices and division headquarters of the Santa Fe Railroad. A significant local example of the skyscraper form ornamented with Gothic Revival style detailing, this edifice is among the few remaining such buildings in the state.

Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4574.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway series list.

Location. 35° 12.267′ N, 101° 50.273′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. Marker is at the intersection of Polk Street and West 9th Ave., on the right when traveling south on Polk Street. At the corner of West 9th Ave. and Polk Street, downtown Amarillo, Texas. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 S Polk Street, 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. American Mammoths (a few steps from this marker); The Amarillo Story (a few steps from this marker); The Bivins Home (about

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500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fisk Medical Arts & Professional Building (about 500 feet away); Louis H. Smith, Inc. Firestone Store (about 500 feet away); Central Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Polk Street Schools (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amarillo.

More about this marker. Located on Santa Fe Building, facing Polk Street.

Additional commentary.
1.
In August 1995, Potter County bought the historic building for $426,288.70 to house offices of some county agencies. Because the building is a historic structure, the county received money through the TxDOT's Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program. The agency awarded $3 million for restoration. It was reopened in 2000, after Potter County spent approximately $14.1 million on renovating the building

— Submitted December 15, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 18, 2015

2. Santa Fe Building Marker

Santa Fe Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ricky D. Smith, January 2, 2011

3. Santa Fe Building

South face of Santa Fe Building. Photo taken looking north on Polk Street from West 10th Ave.

Photographed By Ricky D. Smith, January 2, 2011

4. Santa Fe Building

West face of Santa Fe Building.

Lobby of Santa Fe Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 18, 2015

5. Lobby of Santa Fe Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2011, by Ricky D. Smith of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,465 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Ricky D. Smith of Amarillo, Texas. 2. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Ricky D. Smith of Amarillo, Texas. 5. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.