Why Amarillo’s Street Names Will Make You Do a Double Take

If you spend any time driving around Amarillo, you might have the joy of discovering some really fun street names. Some look weird, some sound weird. It's pretty much the joy of living in Amarillo.

Why Pittsburg Doesn’t Have an ‘H’

You might notice the street near Sam's on Ross is named Pittsburg. You might think it is a typo, a misspelling. It is not. I used to live on that street, and even when I was giving out my address, I would say Pittsburgh but without the 'h". It's just one of the quirky things. It's not wrong.

Bowie: Texas History vs. Pop Culture Pronunciation

Then the street in the Bivins and Wolflin area is called Bowie. You can tell if someone is from here by how they pronounce it.  Anyone from the area know it's after James Bowie (Boo-ie) from your Texas History days. If you are not from Texas or the area, you hear it pronounced like David Bowie (Bow-ie). You can just tell right away if they know or not.

The one that makes me laugh when I am out delivering food is not a strange street name at all. It's just how Google Maps says it. Anytime I am heading to NE 24th, I get a chuckle when the voice says, "Take the Nebraska 24th exit." Yes, I know NE is the abbreviation for Nebraska, but it is also correct to say Northeast, and in this case, it is the correct way.

The Confusing Wolflin Streets of Amarillo

Then there are just strange street instances that make you scratch your head. Oh, there is Wolflin. Now, which Wolflin do you mean? The one that splits up Wolflin Square and Village? The one near Tascosa High School? Or in the Medical District off Coulter. Yes, it's confusing and not all connected.

Read More: Navigating Amarillo's Wolflin Avenue |

Then we have streets that just jump the shark for no reason. Washington Street going north just all of a sudden changes to Adams Street. Georgia does the same by changing to McMaster's. Though you can go one block west and jump back onto Georgia Street, surrounded by houses and not businesses.

The same thing happens to Ross Street. It all of a sudden turns into Osage on the south side and Mirror on the north. Ross Street continues into the neighborhoods. So it can get confusing.

Gem Lake Road: The Mystery of a Missing Lake

Have you ever been to Gem Lake Road? I am betting you have. Not to mention it suddenly changes to Tascosa Road for no apparent reason, but where is the lake? There isn't one. There used to be a pool, but that is not a lake.

Read More: Gem Lake Road in Amarillo; But Was There Ever Really a Lake? |

The streets of Amarillo can get confusing. They can leave you scratching your head. Whether it is how they are spelled, pronounced, or where they even go. They are ours and totally scream Amarillo.