Take A Look At These 15 Reasons That Amarillo Is Famous

Fame is a fickle mistress. You gain it for some of the best reasons. You gain it for many not-so-good reasons. From massive steaks and half-buried cars, to whatever the heck that thing is at the zoo...

Here are 15 reasons that Amarillo is famous.

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We Like To Spray Paint Half-Buried Cars

The Cadillac vehicles of Cadillac Ranch stick out of the ground like tombstones marking the end of era that is so far gone, none of us remembers what made it special.

While the more philosophical individuals among us pull profound meaning out of the installment, others just see an opportunity to leave their mark while stretching their legs from a long RV ride.

Cadillac Ranch is quite possibly the most iconic thing in Amarillo. People from all over the world come to spray paint the Cadillac vehicles.

Steaks That Are Bigger Than Your Face

The 72oz Steak Challenge was all I knew of Amarillo as a kid. Those billboards line the highway hours away from Yellow City.

It's also featured in movies, TV shows, and YouTube is full of pro-eaters who have taken on the bovine behemoth.

Whatever The Heck That Thing Is Hanging Out At The Zoo

This one happened recently, and it has been everywhere on the Internet. People all over the world have had their fun trying to put their finger on exactly what was seen at the zoo last week.

So far, nothing has been one hundred percent confirmed. I'm personally still leaning toward a furry making their way home after a long night out on the town.

Wind. Heat. Bitter Cold. All At Once

The weather in Amarillo is notoriously wacky. You can't really plan for it. You just have to roll with it as it happens.

One day you're breaking out the khaki shorts and Hawaiian shirts. The next, you're going back to storage for that parka you thought you wouldn't need again.

The wind can be intense. Dust storms are pretty common around these parts.

Pantex

We're awfully famous thanks to the nuclear facility, Pantex. In fact, that's where Amarillo gets its nickname, "Bomb City." According to the Pantex website they primarily deal with dismantling weapons.

We Have One Of The Most Famous, Silly MiLB Mascots

Getting a Minor League team in Amarillo was entertaining to watch as an outsider. There was a lot of drama over whether or not to even have a new ballpark. Then came the naming of the team.

Names were suggested by people all over Amarillo. The name we got, was the Amarillo Sod Poodles. It made headlines everywhere.

We're A Major Point On The Map...Where Route 66 Is Concerned

A major part of Amarillo's history is the Mother Road. Route 66 is ingrained in who we are as a city. You can't escape it.

We have several remnants from that bygone era. Some of them are still operating. Several aren't. Still, people from all over the world come to see those landmarks and to visit Amarillo as they travel the Mother Road.

Palo Duro Canyon (Sorry, Canyon)

When you search on Google for interesting things about Amarillo, one of the first things that you'll see is Palo Duro Canyon. It's a mighty fine canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon.

That makes it our nation's second biggest hole in the ground, and it's gorgeous. I spend a lot of time there.

I love Canyon, Texas. If it were up to me, your name would come up first, but I don't run the Internet. I'm just the messenger.

A Musical In The Second Biggest Hole In The Ground

As is the case with Palo Duro Canyon, the TEXAS Outdoor Musical gets associated with Amarillo when you ask Google.

Again, I don't run the Internet so you'll have to take it up with them, Canyon. I know the office for the musical sits on your beautiful town square. We just need to remind the rest of the Internet of that fact.

There Was That Whole Thing With Oprah

Oprah and Amarillo have an interesting history. Long story short, it involved a lawsuit over remarks made regarding beef. More specifically, it involved Mad Cow Disease. The beef industry didn't take kindly to those remarks.

So, they sued the queen of daytime talk.

While the whole mess was getting sorted out in court, Oprah set up shop in Amarillo and did her show from Yellow City. You can still get the commemorative coffee cups on Ebay.

The Matriarch Of A Creepy, Kooky Family (Snap Snap)

Every time you watch an old episode of The Addams Family, you're watching a bit of Amarillo history.

Morticia Addams, real name Carolyn Jones, was an Amarillo native who made it big in Hollywood.

Wonderland Amusement Park

Wonderland actually puts Amarillo on the map when it comes to amusement and theme park enthusiasts. A big reason is the classic style rides that exist there.

There's no end to the videos on YouTube of these enthusiasts coming to Amarillo just so they can experience Wonderland. The history of the park, along with the classic style rides, make it an ideal location for them.

You Get Here By Morning

Thank you, George Strait. Every time I tell someone where I live, they respond with those lines from that song.

The funny thing is, I don't even have to tell you which one because you already know.

We're famous for "Amarillo By Morning."

Helium. Yes, Helium.

It's something that pretty much all of us who live here never think about. Amarillo is known as the helium capital of the world.

Yes, that gas you fill balloons up with. The gas that makes your voice sound funny. We're famous for that too.

Everyone's Asking If They're On The Way Here

Another song that's helped secure our fame is the timeless classic "Amarillo." You can hear it bellow out of the speakers when they open the gates to every game at Hodgetown.