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

Wild Horse Lake

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

1. Wild Horse Lake Marker

Inscription. At various times this playa lake served as a reliable water source for buffalo, wild horses, nomadic Native Americans, explorers, cattle drivers, traders, and pioneers traversing the high plains. The lake area, also called Amarillo Lake, became the original townsite of Amarillo in 1887. Frequent flooding caused the town's relocation to higher ground one mile east of here by 1890. Amarillo developed there to become the cattle and agricultural railroad shipping center of the Texas high plains region. Modern development has diverted the lake's natural drainage system and reduced its size.

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5810.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 35° 13.292′ N, 101° 50.993′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It is on Amarillo Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the south access road of Amarillo Boulevard, or Old Route 66, about .1 mile west of intersection of Amarillo Boulevard and Travis Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amarillo TX 79107, 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 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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: Mathew "Bones" Hooks (approx. 0.9 miles away); Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing (approx. one mile away); American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 (approx. one mile away); Route 66 in Amarillo (approx. 1.2 miles away); Fort Worth and Denver City Railway (approx. 1.2 miles away); Amarillo Natatorium ("The Nat") (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Barfield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bussey Building (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amarillo.

Another marker is no longer nearby. First Hospital on the High Plains of Texas - St. Anthony's Hospital (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

2. Wild Horse Lake Marker

Wild Horse Lake image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015

3. Wild Horse Lake

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 25, 2026

4. Wild Horse Lake Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,179 times since then and 282 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.