Centennial Plaza

A Piece of Amarillo's Story

Back in 1987, Amarillo celebrated turning 100 years old by creating this plaza - a space that's part park, part history lesson rolled into one.

During those centennial celebrations, they buried a time capsule beneath the plaza. If you check out the inscriptions, you'll learn it's packed with mementos from the year-long birthday party. The plan is to crack it open every half-century, with the next big reveal scheduled for 2037. (Makes you wonder what future Amarillo residents will think of those 1980s treasures!)

What You'll Find There

The star of the show here is definitely the large fountain with its slowly revolving globe. The globe sits on a bed of flowing water, and if you're feeling hands-on, go ahead and give it a spin yourself. There's something oddly satisfying about setting the world in motion with your own hands.

Take a moment to read the inscriptions around the fountain - they tell the story of Amarillo's past and what people in 1987 hoped the city would become.

Memorials and Community Art

One of the plaza's most touching features is the statue of astronaut Rick Husband, an Amarillo native who commanded the Space Shuttle Columbia. The craftsmanship is impressive, with amazing attention to detail in the spacesuit patches and even the boot laces.

Right next to the Rick Husband memorial, you'll find a colorful tile wall that's more than just decoration. Each tile is actually a mini-artwork created by local residents - including children from the community. It's like a patchwork quilt of Amarillo creativity frozen in time.

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What to Expect

While Centennial Plaza offers these interesting historical touches and artistic elements, it's good to know that some areas of the park could use a little TLC. The space has weathered over three decades since its creation, and it shows in spots.