If you have driven behind the Civic Center at any time on Grant Street, then you have seen the historic old Santa Fe Depot. But, have you ever wondered what the building looks like inside?

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The Santa Fe Depot is one of the oldest buildings in Amarillo, and we had the opportunity to tour the building and see the history of days gone by.

 

THC
THC
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Jerry Danforth the City of Amarillo Facilities director gave us a tour of the Santa Fe Depot and it was amazing!

The construction of the Santa Fe Depot began in 1910.  The Amarillo Depot became a part of the west travel from the hub in Chicago, to Amarillo, the Grand Canyon, and into San Fransico.

Lori Crofford/TSM Amarillo
Lori Crofford/TSM Amarillo
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The Santa Fe Depot in Amarillo is full of history, and during our tour, we were able to see the original ticket counter with the original cash drawers.

The original sound system used is still in the depot.  In the baggage area where the freight was brought in includes the original scales that they used to weigh the freight.

Sarah Clark/TSM Amarillo
Sarah Clark/TSM Amarillo
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What's Upstairs? The Harvey House Restaurant & Hotel

The upstairs of the Santa Fe Depot was home to The Harvey House Restaurant and hotel.  The Harvey House was the most elegant and prestige restaurant in Amarillo at the time.  The restaurant waitresses and hostesses were the famous Harvey Girls, who lived in the back of the Harvey House in their own dorm rooms.  The main suites were elegant and housed some of the richest people in this country.  The Harvey House closed its doors in January of 1940.

The ballroom in the depot was witness to many a cattle deal. Millions of dollars in deals were struck right in this ballroom.

One of the fun features was the depot was they had a community shower and bathing rooms for passengers. The men had a shower, and the ladies had a room with two claw foot tubs and a shower. Why would this be in a train depot? Think about it, passengers ride these trains from Chicago to Amarillo and all the way to San Francisco. Air conditioning on trains didn't exist at this time, so they had to be a bit ripe.  So when they got to their Amarillo destination, it was time for a shower or bath.

@spitbite Inside look at the Old Santa Fe Depot in #amarillotx It may be #abandoned ♬ Lonely Day - Phantom Planet

The history in the walls of this building is amazing and it's nice to hear that the City of Amarillo will be remodeling this building and bringing it back to life.

Enjoy a photo tour of the Santa Fe Depot.

EXPLORE: A Rare Look Inside the Old Santa Fe Depot in Downtown Amarillo

The old Santa Fe depot is one of the oldest buildings in Amarillo. Located at 401 S. Grant, the historic depot has sat empty for several decades. The depot is in remarkably good condition for such a long stretch of vacancy, and the City of Amarillo has plans to bring the station back to life.

In the meantime....enjoy this rare look behind the locked doors of the old Santa Fe depot.

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