Details for Potter County Courthouse

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5375004096

Data

Marker Number 4096
Atlas Number 5375004096
Marker Title Potter County Courthouse
Index Entry Potter County Courthouse
Address 501 South Taylor
City Amarillo
County Potter
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 242045
UTM Northing 3899757
Subject Codes courthouses; design and construction; Art Deco
Marker Year 1996
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Yes
Marker Location 501 South Taylor, Amarillo
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 27" x 42"
Marker Text Organized in August 1887, Potter County erected its first courthouse in 1888 in old town Amarillo. The building was constructed by Mays, Hightower, and Jackson for a cost of $191. Over the years, three more courthouses were built as Amarillo and Potter County grew. During the 1920's the Panhandle experienced an oil boom. As a result, business increased, the population of Amarillo nearly tripled, and eight sky scrapers were added to the city. The fifth courthouse in Potter County, this building was designed by Architect W.C. Townes of Townes, Lightfoot and Funk of Amarillo. It was constructed at a cost of $420,000 in 1930-32 by Amarillo builder Charles Lambie. More than 500 laborers, residents of Potter County, applied to work on building the new courthouse. The Potter County Courthouse is a fine local example of an art deco style institutional building. It exhibits stepped massing from its entrance pavilion to the top of the tower, and skillful use of details that include ornamental figural and botanical bas relief, symmetrical pilasters and metal casement windows. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1996

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