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

Fort Worth and Denver City Railway

First Railroad through the Texas Panhandle

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

1. Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Marker

Inscription. Pioneered transportation in the old buffalo and Indian frontier and the open-range cattle empire. Organized by Fort Worth citizens. Although chartered by the Texas Legislature on May 26, 1873, the actual building was delayed by the money panic of 1873.

Under General G.M. Dodge, civil engineer who had built several major lines, grading began in 1881 at Hodge, near Fort Worth. Despite the 1882 repeal of the Texas Land Grant Act, private capital was able to push rails northwestward at intervals. Numerous towns, including Amarillo (in 1887) began as camps of the crews building grade and laying the tracks.

On March 14, 1888, connection was made with rails of the Denver, Texas and Fort Worth Railroad (now Colorado and Southern) at Union Park, near Folsom, N. Mex. This completed the through route to Denver. In 1908 the Fort Worth and Denver City became a part of the Burlington System; in 1951 the name was changed to Fort Worth and Denver Railway Company.

Ever since its beginning, this railroad has been backed by men with unlimited faith in the destiny of the Texas Panhandle. It has advanced the economy based on cattle, grain,

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petroleum, and manufacturing.

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2037.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1888.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 35° 12.756′ N, 101° 49.929′ W. Marker was in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It was on East 1st Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the lower level of Pierce Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 83 South Pierce Street, Amarillo TX 79107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on the Texas Panhandle.

It was also on the American Great Plains,

specifically on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

2. Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Marker

markers are within walking distance of this location: A.T. & S.F. No. 5000 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry B. Sanborn (approx. ¼ mile away); Potter County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Potter County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rick Husband (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Potter County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Potter County Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); Amarillo (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amarillo.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

3. Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Marker

Photographed by Allen Lowrey

4. Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Marker

See note I sent to the editors.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 906 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas.