Pampa in Gray County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Woody Guthrie

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

1. Woody Guthrie Marker

Inscription. American folk musician Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie (1912-1967) moved to Pampa from his native Oklahoma at age 17. Here he learned to play the guitar and joined with other musicians to perform for area events. Guthrie briefly attended Pampa High School and, from 1930 until 1935, worked as a soda jerk at this site, home of the former Harris Drug Store. He also spent much time reading books in the Pampa City Library, preparing him for his most productive years as a poet-lyricist and folk balladeer during the 1940s and early 1950s. He left Pampa for California in 1937 and in 1940 went to New York City, where he was recognized for his writings and performances. He died there in 1967.

Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12619.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 35° 32.002′ N, 100° 57.598′ W. Marker is in Pampa, Texas, in Gray County. It is on South Cuyler Street south of West Tyng Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 South Cuyler Street, Pampa TX 79065, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern 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 Comanchería,

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: Quanah Parker Trail (about 600 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Cottage (about 600 feet away); White Deer Land Building (about 700 feet away); Oil Discovery in Gray County (about 800 feet away); Vittorio Emanuel von Brunow, M. D. (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1934 Pampa Post Office Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); First National Bank in Pampa (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pampa (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pampa.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

2. Woody Guthrie Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

3. Woody Guthrie Marker

Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

4. Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center

Woody Guthrie (1943) image. Click for full size.

March 8, 1943

5. Woody Guthrie (1943)

Image part of the New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection, Library of Congress.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,347 times since then and 41 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week February 22, 2015. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on May 31, 2012. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.