The 1936 Map of Amarillo, Texas, provides a detailed look at the city's streets, transportation routes, and surrounding landscape during the 1930s. Created by the Texas State Highway Department, the map documents Amarillo's road network at a time when the city was developing as an important transportation and commercial center in the Texas Panhandle.
A Look at Amarillo in the 1930s
By 1936, Amarillo had established itself as a major center for agriculture, cattle trading, and transportation. Its location along important highways and railroad routes helped connect the Texas Panhandle with other parts of the state and the country.
The map shows the city's organized street grid, major roads, and transportation connections. It also provides a glimpse of Amarillo's development before the widespread suburban expansion and highway construction that would take place in later decades.
Roads, Railroads, and Geographic Features
One of the map's notable features is its detailed representation of transportation infrastructure. Three railroad lines are identified: the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway, the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway, and the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad. These rail connections played an important role in moving agricultural products, livestock, and other goods through the region.
The map also identifies natural features, including Wild Horse Lake and East Amarillo Creek. An inset map of Bushland, a nearby community west of Amarillo, provides additional geographic detail.
A Historical Record of Amarillo's Growth
Although originally dated 1936, the map includes revisions made during 1939 and 1940, reflecting changes to the area's transportation network.
Today, this historical map offers a useful reference for understanding how Amarillo was laid out during the 1930s. Comparing it with modern maps reveals the expansion of neighborhoods, roads, and commercial areas as the city grew throughout the 20th century. It also highlights the importance of railroads and highways in shaping Amarillo's early development.