Every year, the same question circulates around campus: what is there to do in the Canyon/Amarillo area? Well, with such a rich culture and historic community, the sky is the limit when it comes to the Panhandle. Whether visiting Route 66 or heading over to “the square”, there are many opportunities to experience a good time.

The Big Texan

• Location: 7701 E Interstate 40 Amarillo, TX 79118 (806) 371-7469
• Legend: Mr. R. J. Lee, the former owner, had a cowboy enter his restaurant and order the biggest steak Lee could find. After serving up the 72-ounce piece of meat (along with a baked potato, salad, dinner roll, and shrimp cocktail), the gentleman left. The owner wasn’t impressed with the size of the meat, but by the amount of time took to complete it. To this day, if you can repeat the cowboy’s actions and wolf down the meat in less than an hour, the food is on the house.
• Fun Fact: The fastest time to eat the “Steak challenge” is in the single digits.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

• Location: 2503 4th Avenue, Canyon TX, 79015 (806) 651-224
• History: Hattie Anderson moved to Canyon, Texas, in 1920 to teach history at West Texas State Normal College. She was captivated by what she found. It was a historian’s dream – a bustling city on the grow, eager young college students preparing to be teachers and a significant number of the area’s original settlers still actively involved in ranching, farming, and business. Miss Anderson knew she had to act quickly. Time was already beginning to claim many of the pioneers whose stories she wished to record. Immediately she began formulating a plan and recruiting interested volunteers. In early 1921, Miss Anderson, L.F. Sheffy (the head of the college’s history department), seven other faculty members and about thirty students organized the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society. Their goal was to collect and preserve the history, both human and natural, of the region. They also began soliciting support for their efforts in the form of society memberships.

(Information courtesy of the PPHM website).

Cadillac Ranch

• Location: Off of Soncy.
• Relevance in pop culture: Cadillac Ranch has a notable history throughout the nation. Ever watch the movie “Cars?” In the behind the scenes documentary, the writers, produces, and story board artists travel to Cadillac Ranch and paint on the cars while drawing inspiration for the hit Disney movie. Bruce Springsteen has a song called Cadillac Ranch on his album “The River”.

Well, there she sits buddy justa gleaming in the sun
There to greet a working man when his day is done
I’m gonna pack my pa and I’m gonna pack my aunt
I’m gonna take them down to the Cadillac Ranch

Eldorado fins, whitewalls and skirts
Rides just like a little bit of heaven here on earth
Well buddy when I die throw my body in the back
And drive me to the junkyard in my Cadillac

For people who have heard these areas, but never been, go ahead and visit these places and learn about the history of the local places.