13:58 The Coney Island Cafe is on the right with the flag. Dates from the 1930s and definitely the oldest eatery in Pampa. 14:24 The La Vista Theater on the right was the oldest movie house after the La Nora on Cuyler was demolished. It showed first-run movies, often of the grindhouse type. I saw Village of the Damned, House of Usher, and Spartacus there. 16:32 That empty 6-story building on the left dates from the early 1950s and housed the pediatrician who delivered me (oh happy day!). 18:08 The Capri Theater ahead on the left was the "new" cimema in the early 1960s. I believe it's an events venue now. 18:05 Look at all those bricks. Jim Brown, an Oneda Indian from New York, laid them. The fastest brick layer that anyone had seen, he once laid over 67,000 bricks in seven hours, a North American record. 19:54 The White Deer Land Museum (flag) on the right is actually pretty good. I took exception to a shrine to a former sheriff who was a known racist. He stopped by the motel rooms of Black travelers to "inquire" if they were just passing through. Woody Guthrie is said to have once lived across the street. 20:45 The area south of Brown (Hwy 60) was once mostly Black. Now it's mostly empty lots. But then, as you can see, most of central Pampa is empty lots. It shrunk from about 25,000 to its present 17,000. The inhabited area, including a sizeable high school, is north of downtown. 25:00 The depot ahead is where the town began, when the White Deer Land Company was designated as a station on the Southern Kansas Railway in the summer of 1887. 29:49 Somerville Street, with its boulevard design, was the tony street in the 20s and 30s. That's all gone now. 31:34 As the camera rounds the corner, there's just a glimpse of the old Coronado Inn on the right. It was built in the early 1960s as the town's first upscale lodging since the downtown Schneider Hotel (now apartments) was built in the 1920s. It's now the AmericInn.
@@streetsharkz Corruption, drugs are rampant, break-ins constantly, city loves to waste money. When they built the waterpark, they waited until the last minute to announced it to hold a vote. Made it so no one could take off and voice their opinion. They swore up and down that water rates wouldn't go up. Every year they jacked up the water bill. They also made a couple intersections 4 way stops. No warning about it. They put the stops in overnight, then had cops stationed by them. They made thousands of dollars in revenue from the tickets in the 1st week. They keep the big drug dealers free and arrest the small ones. They get more revenue that way from civil asset forfeiture. It's a business for the town. They built a new middle school a while ago. I didn't realize how bad it was until my son went there for 6th grade. I had to show up at 2pm to get ready to get him when he got out at 3:30pm. Any later than 2, and you wouldn't get out of there until a hour after school was over. They also moved the city limits when they built the school. People that were outside city limits became inside overnight. Code enforcement was ready to start issuing fines for violations. If anyone decides to move there, better have a firearm if you value your property. I use to keep my firearms at my parents house because my wife wanted them there after our son was born because we didn't have a gun cabinet. I hunt, so it got old real quick getting everything ready to hunt. So I started leaving them at home. Word got around to the criminals that I was armed. When they did their break-ins, my house was skipped.
How we are fascinated by the earliest films of street scenes in cities like New York and Chicago. A hundred years from now people will watch this and say "Cars with wheels. How quaint".
My hometown. Lived here for 30 years. Moved to Houston 32 years ago. I hate to say this, but not the Pampa I remember. SO MUCH IS GONE !!!! Great seeing the old Court House. Dad was a deputy over 30 years. Ex was with PPD. Thought of moving back recently. Been looking online at homes for sale, not so sure now. Pampa will always have a special place in my heart. Susan Collins Boydston Ballard
The old pack a burger is Starbucks, long John silver is torn down and it's another coffee shop. The school system sucks. The water sucks. And with the oilfield down, people are moving out. Only took 36 years, but finally got out of there with my wife and kids last year. Even though Shamrock is smaller, the school here is great
I use to live in Plainview. Pampa was our adversary in football. Borh cities had about the same population in the 60's. We were the bulldogs they were the harvestors. They use to beat us in football.
@@simpleman806 Honestly? I live near a town in remote North Dakota with only 20 people. The nearest fuel pump is 40 minutes away, the nearest grocery store is an hour, and my closest neighbor is 9 miles down the gravel. It regularly gets to -40 here in the winter. Pampa is in the panhandle, which I like because it looks like home. It’s also warm, and affordable. It seems like a nice place to have a winter home to get away from the testicle shattering cold.
@@fmachine86 if you do decide to move there, pick a house on the north side of town. Safer neighborhoods. Amarillo is the closest big city, it's an hour away from pampa. I move an hour away from pampa to a small town called shamrock. Even though it's a tenth smaller than pampa, the school is a hell of a lot better. And safer. If you forget to lock up your car, got a 99.9% chance your stuff will still be there. Never could say that while I lived in pampa.
@@beautifuldreamer3991 the school sucks, the town is corrupt, city cops are useless, water rates have gone up every year after they built the water park, cops only go after small time drug dealers once they get enough assets, won't go after the big dealers, if you go to the emergency room for pain, they think you're a drug seeker. So yeah, fuck living there. Only took me 36yrs to get out
My step dad was from Pampa, his sister ended up in Skellytown. Cousin went to school in Whitedear. My dad’s other sister ended up in Grand Jct. been a long time since I was in Pampa, 1955, as I recall, coming back from 2 years in Naples Italy. My stepdad was Navy, RIP. Is there still a Varnon street?
Grew up there, graduated PHS in 1964 and left for good in 1967. Been back for a couple of visits over the years and it clearly is NOT the same place - and not in a good way. I would never consider returning. Well done video however.
I've been looking at some houses here at a very good price. Do you think it's a good place to live? Is it dangerous? I'm a truck driver and I spend a lot of time on the road. I'm afraid to leave my family alone at home.
If I were looking to buy a house in the panhandle I would probably look at Canyon because I have always felt incredibly safe there and I like the state park nearby.
Not the cheapest anymore. We just moved to another town after 34 years, because the city spends money like it’s Washington DC. And I hate it too, because it’s my hometown.
What a delight to be able to roam around my old hometown via this video! Brings back so many childhood memories.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Is good city?
I've been in Pampa in 2012
13:58 The Coney Island Cafe is on the right with the flag. Dates from the 1930s and definitely the oldest eatery in Pampa.
14:24 The La Vista Theater on the right was the oldest movie house after the La Nora on Cuyler was demolished. It showed first-run movies, often of the grindhouse type. I saw Village of the Damned, House of Usher, and Spartacus there.
16:32 That empty 6-story building on the left dates from the early 1950s and housed the pediatrician who delivered me (oh happy day!).
18:08 The Capri Theater ahead on the left was the "new" cimema in the early 1960s. I believe it's an events venue now.
18:05 Look at all those bricks. Jim Brown, an Oneda Indian from New York, laid them. The fastest brick layer that anyone had seen, he once laid over 67,000 bricks in seven hours, a North American record.
19:54 The White Deer Land Museum (flag) on the right is actually pretty good. I took exception to a shrine to a former sheriff who was a known racist. He stopped by the motel rooms of Black travelers to "inquire" if they were just passing through. Woody Guthrie is said to have once lived across the street.
20:45 The area south of Brown (Hwy 60) was once mostly Black. Now it's mostly empty lots. But then, as you can see, most of central Pampa is empty lots. It shrunk from about 25,000 to its present 17,000. The inhabited area, including a sizeable high school, is north of downtown.
25:00 The depot ahead is where the town began, when the White Deer Land Company was designated as a station on the Southern Kansas Railway in the summer of 1887.
29:49 Somerville Street, with its boulevard design, was the tony street in the 20s and 30s. That's all gone now.
31:34 As the camera rounds the corner, there's just a glimpse of the old Coronado Inn on the right. It was built in the early 1960s as the town's first upscale lodging since the downtown Schneider Hotel (now apartments) was built in the 1920s. It's now the AmericInn.
Thank you for sharing!
I remember riding through Pampa on my way to Colorado. For some reason, this small town always stuck with me. It is quite nice!
Looks can be deceiving
@@streetsharkz Corruption, drugs are rampant, break-ins constantly, city loves to waste money. When they built the waterpark, they waited until the last minute to announced it to hold a vote. Made it so no one could take off and voice their opinion. They swore up and down that water rates wouldn't go up. Every year they jacked up the water bill. They also made a couple intersections 4 way stops. No warning about it. They put the stops in overnight, then had cops stationed by them. They made thousands of dollars in revenue from the tickets in the 1st week. They keep the big drug dealers free and arrest the small ones. They get more revenue that way from civil asset forfeiture. It's a business for the town. They built a new middle school a while ago. I didn't realize how bad it was until my son went there for 6th grade. I had to show up at 2pm to get ready to get him when he got out at 3:30pm. Any later than 2, and you wouldn't get out of there until a hour after school was over. They also moved the city limits when they built the school. People that were outside city limits became inside overnight. Code enforcement was ready to start issuing fines for violations.
If anyone decides to move there, better have a firearm if you value your property. I use to keep my firearms at my parents house because my wife wanted them there after our son was born because we didn't have a gun cabinet. I hunt, so it got old real quick getting everything ready to hunt. So I started leaving them at home. Word got around to the criminals that I was armed. When they did their break-ins, my house was skipped.
It was a good place to grow up. I’ll always love my home town.
I have to say Pampa is looking pretty good compared to several years ago!
Was born there. A great place to grow up in the 60s and 70s.
No kidding? I grew up there too, in the 1970's 80's, well partially . Still have family there.
How we are fascinated by the earliest films of street scenes in cities like New York and Chicago.
A hundred years from now people will watch this and say "Cars with wheels. How quaint".
It’s crazy how much we have added here in a year.
My hometown. Lived here for 30 years. Moved to Houston 32 years ago. I hate to say this, but not the Pampa I remember. SO MUCH IS GONE !!!! Great seeing the old Court House. Dad was a deputy over 30 years. Ex was with PPD. Thought of moving back recently. Been looking online at homes for sale, not so sure now. Pampa will always have a special place in my heart.
Susan Collins Boydston Ballard
I graduated from Pampa High in 85. I now live just North of Houston. Great memories, but it still looks like a lonely, wind swept place.
Did you graduate in 92?
The old pack a burger is Starbucks, long John silver is torn down and it's another coffee shop. The school system sucks. The water sucks. And with the oilfield down, people are moving out. Only took 36 years, but finally got out of there with my wife and kids last year. Even though Shamrock is smaller, the school here is great
I use to live in Plainview. Pampa was our adversary in football. Borh cities had about the same population in the 60's. We were the bulldogs they were the harvestors. They use to beat us in football.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for driving me through my hometown. Excellent video. 💚💙
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it!
@@DeceleratedTravel 😀💚💙
@@DeceleratedTravel is Hank Skinner free ?....he owes me an apostolic blessing from the Pope
Tommy Bower, I remember you. My last name was Matney back in those days.
Thinking about moving here. Thanks for the drive.
Former pampa native here. Got a question. Why?
@@simpleman806 Honestly? I live near a town in remote North Dakota with only 20 people. The nearest fuel pump is 40 minutes away, the nearest grocery store is an hour, and my closest neighbor is 9 miles down the gravel. It regularly gets to -40 here in the winter.
Pampa is in the panhandle, which I like because it looks like home. It’s also warm, and affordable. It seems like a nice place to have a winter home to get away from the testicle shattering cold.
@@fmachine86 if you do decide to move there, pick a house on the north side of town. Safer neighborhoods. Amarillo is the closest big city, it's an hour away from pampa. I move an hour away from pampa to a small town called shamrock. Even though it's a tenth smaller than pampa, the school is a hell of a lot better. And safer. If you forget to lock up your car, got a 99.9% chance your stuff will still be there. Never could say that while I lived in pampa.
@@fmachine86 The winters can be brutal at times. But...the most beautiful summers imaginable!
@@TommyBowerscoasters To be fair, I’m from North Dakota, so your winters are probably nice to me as well lol.
Moving back in a couple months. Can't wait!!
Don’t lol
I'm sorry. Glad I got out of there
@@simpleman806 we're glad you left, too 💁♀️
@@simpleman806what's wrong with pampa?
@@beautifuldreamer3991 the school sucks, the town is corrupt, city cops are useless, water rates have gone up every year after they built the water park, cops only go after small time drug dealers once they get enough assets, won't go after the big dealers, if you go to the emergency room for pain, they think you're a drug seeker. So yeah, fuck living there. Only took me 36yrs to get out
Great tour 👌 beautiful place
Thank you!
is this place where the tornado hit in 1995
yup.
my dog was born there. Got chewed up in some kind of dog fight there. Found her way to Colorado and her permanent home with me
I'm glad she has a safe and happy home now!
very great i love your drive excellent
Thank you! Merry Christmas!
I like what I see. This will be my new home next year.
I hope you have a great time in Pampa!
Former Pampa native. Looks can be deceiving
You will not like it here... I hate it....
I hope you love it. Pampa is my home. ❤
My step dad was from Pampa, his sister ended up in Skellytown. Cousin went to school in Whitedear. My dad’s other sister ended up in Grand Jct.
been a long time since I was in Pampa, 1955, as I recall, coming back from 2 years in Naples Italy. My stepdad was Navy, RIP. Is there still a Varnon street?
thanks for coming through with the requests! I've been waiting a while for this one
I’m so glad you liked it!
Lived here in the 8th grade in 1954-55. My father worked for the newspaper.
Grew up there, graduated PHS in 1964 and left for good in 1967. Been back for a couple of visits over the years and it clearly is NOT the same place - and not in a good way. I would never consider returning. Well done video however.
Thank you for watching!
Ty,love it!
moved 2004 moved valle de oro my own place 88 miles away 2008 drove to pampa to valle de oro 100's of times until fire 2022 moved back to Pampa
My hometown.
Thinking about moving here
I've been looking at some houses here at a very good price. Do you think it's a good place to live? Is it dangerous? I'm a truck driver and I spend a lot of time on the road. I'm afraid to leave my family alone at home.
If I were looking to buy a house in the panhandle I would probably look at Canyon because I have always felt incredibly safe there and I like the state park nearby.
Depending on what side of the railroad tracks you live in completely different worlds in a small town.
I live in Pampa texas it's okay I guess.... Sometimes I wish I could move somewhere else..
I do a lot of flooring work there people are cool
Very nice video!👍👍👍
Thank you!
I was born in pampa but moved to Washington state soon after
I wonder has anyone done anything about the water issue there?
Yeah, jacked the price up
Posed to be goin there soon. Goin to see my lady.
I hope you have a great trip!
I live here!
There has only been one update.
The abandoned long john silvers was demolished and turned into Scooters Coffee
Doesn't look at all like I remember 1973 to 1978
I live there
Oh that's great. Thank you for watching my video!
Your welcome
I'm sorry. Glad I got out of there
5 18 giant allsups now
Never heard of Pampa TX
Not many have, cheapest and best place in Texas to live. Awesome restaurants..
We got great resturants here!
You ain't missing much
@@chevahparsley454 I wouldn't necessarily say the best place to live. I was born and raised there. Left there last year
Not the cheapest anymore. We just moved to another town after 34 years, because the city spends money like it’s Washington DC. And I hate it too, because it’s my hometown.
Where's Hank Skinner
In the cold, cold ground.
@@MikeCarson-i9s oh he's already been executed ?
I thought he was still on death row... when was his execution date ?
He never went to execution, went on the operating table for some ailment or another, don't recall exactly what. Saved Texas the trouble.@@trippdocta28
Que lindo pueblo se llama igual a la provincia de la pampa en argentina y si geografía es igual
Gracias! Yo quisiera visitar las pampas en Argentina algún día.