Industrial History
Amarillo Was Once the Helium Capital of the World
A major natural gas field was discovered northwest of Amarillo in 1918, and the high helium content of the Cliffside field led to a federal helium plant opening in 1928.
Gas was found in 1918 and oil in 1921. The Cliffside gas field had unusually high helium content, which prompted the U.S. government to build the Federal Helium Plant near Amarillo in 1928. Amarillo earned the informal title of Helium Capital of the World for decades.
Oil, gas, and agriculture remain important parts of the Amarillo economy today. Four U.S. highways — 60, 87, 287, and the historic Route 66 — once merged in the city, reflecting its role as a Panhandle crossroads. For the full story, see the Handbook of Texas entry on Amarillo.
Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Amarillo, TX