The Natatorium, or “The Nat,” is located on Route 66 and Sixth Street in Amarillo Texas. According to urban legend, and current Nat employees, it is the home of a few otherworldly spirits.
The Nat became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It also became a Texas Historical Landmark in 1995. Throughout its history as a dancehall, The Nat hosted big name musicians including Buddy Holly, Louis Armstrong, and the Dixie Chicks. Under the new owners, the building was renovated into an antique mall that even has an 806 Café satellite location.
In July 1922, the Nat was originally an indoor swimming pool. In fact, “Natatorium” is an old word used for indoor swimming pools. But in 1926, the Nat was purchased by J.D. Tucker and was transformed into a dance hall. The pool was covered with a wooden floor that saw the era of the Roaring 20’s.
Fast forward into the 1930’s where The Great Depression wreaked havoc on the American economy. While banks and other businesses collapsed under economic strain, the Nat was innovative. The Nat promoted the ballroom that continued to bring dancers into the dance hall. In 1935 the Nat was under new ownership, and the castle-like appearance that stands today was built along with the Nat Café.
In 1996, a paranormal investigation was conducted at The Nat. Investigators experienced difficulties with the audio and video equipment. Mysteriously, the equipment would turn off. However, investigators did manage to record the sound of drums playing with hints of a female voice singing laced the audio track.
After the renovation that turned The Nat into an antique mall, whispers of strange things happening started to spread. Cold spots are felt while walking through the building, and sometimes employees would find things misplaced. Tishell Timberlake, the manager of The Nat, spoke of two past employees who worked in the 806 café in The Nat. According to Timberlake, the café baristas would notice that knives would move across counters, and that faucets would start pouring water.
“Some people say we want to see it [paranormal activity], and therefore we don’t see it,” Timberlake said.
Tyler Traves is the current barista at the café. Traves said that sometimes when on break outside he would hear a customer at the coffee bar. However, on several occasions there was no one in sight.
Security cameras have even caught footage of what appears to be two dark silhouettes drifting across the entrance hall. These shadowed figures give the over bearing feeling of watchful eyes at The Nat.
