Amarillo in Potter County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Helium Time Columns
Monument and Museum
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015
1. Helium Time Columns Marker
The four time columns are filled with books, documents, and various artifacts that will tell future generations about life in 1968. After the time columns were filled, the caps were welded on and the contents sealed in a helium atmosphere. In twenty-five, fifty, one-hundred, and one thousand years from the time of filling, the four individual columns are to be opened.
Helium is an element which occurs in commercial volume in natural gas produced since 1918 from wells in the Texas Panhandle. In 1929 the first of several helium processing plants began operations near Amarillo. Large quantities of helium extracted from natural gas are stored underground northwest of Amarillo, and will provide a valuable source of supply for many years.
Once used only in lighter-than-air craft, helium now serves vital needs in industry, science, and the nation's military and space programs.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 35° 11.972′ N, 101° 54.809′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It can be reached from Streit Drive. Marker is on the west side of the Helium Columns at the Don Harrington Discovery Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Streit Drive, Amarillo TX 79106, 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 3 miles of this
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015
2. Helium Time Columns Marker
Regarding Helium Time Columns. From Wikipedia, The Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of helium. The Time Columns Monument is a six-story high stainless steel structure containing four time capsules, three of which form the legs of the monument and one which stands erect. The capsules are intended to be opened in 25, 50, 100, and 1,000 years from the date it was erected in 1968. In 1982 the Helium Monument was airlifted by helicopter from I-40 and Nelson to its current site at the Don Harrington Discovery Center. In 1993, the first time capsule
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 19, 2015
3. Helium Time Columns
The monument also serves as a sun dial, its features oriented to the sun to tell the time.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 30, 2023
4. Helium Time Columns informational plaque
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 30, 2023
5. Helium Time Columns informational sign
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
