Ron Smith

Amarillo (Postcard History Series) Ron Smith

Many people are surprised to learn that the city of Amarillo was actually founded twice. Originally settled by J. T. Berry in April 1887 and known as Oneida, the site of the town was located on such low ground that many residents feared it was susceptible to flooding. In 1888, one concerned resident named Henry B. Sanborn began buying land a mile east of the site as a potential place to relocate the town. In 1889, the town?s fears came to fruition when heavy rains flooded the original town site, prompting residents to move to Sanborn?s new location. The town went on to become one of the world?s busiest cattle shipping points in the late 1890s, causing its population to grow significantly. Today Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle, and its economy continues to thrive on cattle, along with agriculture, oil, and natural gas.