County History

Potter County Was Carved Out of the Panhandle Frontier in 1876

Potter County was established by the Texas legislature in 1876 and organized in 1887 when Amarillo was chosen as the county seat.

Potter County History & Culture

The Texas legislature created Potter County from the old Bexar District in 1876. The county was named for Robert Potter, a Texas statesman from the Republic era. When the county organized in August 1887, a vote of early settlers chose Amarillo — then a new railroad town — as the county seat.

Before formal settlement, large ranching operations dominated the land. The LX Ranch arrived in 1877 and the Frying Pan Ranch in 1881. By 1890, twenty ranches held more than 511,000 acres. Find the full county history in the Handbook of Texas at tshaonline.org.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Potter County

More Potter County notes

Property Tax

Who Appraises Your Property in Potter County

The Potter County Appraisal District sets the value on your property, and that value determines what you owe in taxes.

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Property Tax

Homestead Exemption Can Cut Your Tax Bill

If your home in Potter County is your primary residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption and lower your taxable value.

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Property Tax

Farming or Ranching? Ag Valuation Can Save You Money

Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management in Potter County may qualify for a lower tax appraisal based on what the land produces, not what it sells for.

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County Services

The County Tax Office Handles More Than Taxes

The Potter County Tax Office in Amarillo collects property taxes and processes vehicle registrations for county residents.

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