The "Nat"

2705 West 6th, Amarillo, TX
Phone:

East < GO > West

The Amarillo Natatorium was built as an open air swimming facility in 1922. Nicknamed the "Nat" it has gone from a swimming pool to dance hall and on to antique shop. It became popular enough when it was new that it was enclosed in 1923 so it could be used all year.

That didn't last all that long and a new owner covered the pool with a dance floor and turned the place into a dance hall. A second floor was also added to the building. In the early 30's the building was sold again and the new owner added the castle like exterior and a cafe and changed the name to The Nat Dine and Dance Palace. That's when the entrance on 6th Avenue (Route 66) was added.

Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington, the Dorsey Brothers, and Harry James are some of the people who played at The Nat.

Another set of owners took over in the 40's. But the music kept going and over the years into the 50's and 60's adding names like Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Roy Orbison to the list of those who performed there. The music mostly stopped when the place closed in the 60's.

The building has seen uses as antique shops and a music venue in recent years.

It was listed as part of the U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. A historical marker honoring the building was added in 1996.

Photo(s): 2015