BlockBefore
Photograph of United Methodist Church
Photograph by BriceWi999, CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Polk Street Methodist Church

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

From the record

One of 36 National Register listings published here for Potter County · listed in 1992 · category: Building.

Sources: the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

  • What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 1 building as contributing to the listing.
  • Address. 1401 S. Polk St., Amarillo, 79101
  • When was it listed? January 1992
  • Category. building
  • Census division. Amarillo
  • Architectural style. Gothic Revival
  • National Register reference number. 91002021 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

Fires near this property

372 since 2000

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 372 fires within 5 miles of Polk Street Methodist Church between 2000 and 2020, burning about 18,162 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 28 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined233
Equipment and vehicle use45
Arson/incendiarism28
Debris and open burning17
Recreation and ceremony12
Misuse of fire by a minor12
Power generation/transmission/distribution12
Smoking9
Natural3
Railroad operations and maintenance1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-13059
7 September 2013Misuse of fire by a minor1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2013-14249
28 September 2011Arson/incendiarism1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-14035
2 September 2011Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-12720
18 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-13505
18 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-13519
18 September 2011Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2011-13513
17 September 2015Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceOWENS CORNING

Every fire recorded in Potter County

Mines and quarries near this property

3 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 3 workings within 5 miles of Polk Street Methodist Church: 2 producers, 1 plant. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken, Zinc. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
(Facility) Asarco Zinc SmelterZincPlant
Armarillo Plant & QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Southwestern Cement PlantStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every working recorded in Potter County

Storms near this property

60 of 750 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Amarillo, the town this property stands in, in 750 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 454 hail, 200 thunderstorm wind, 62 flash flood, 15 flood. The reports record 2 deaths and 1 injury. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2006Flash FloodAmarillo1 killed, $43,000A teenage boy was playing outside at West Hills Park located at Amarillo Boulevard and Western Street around 1830 CST and was sucked into a tunnel that was part of the park's drainage system. Emergency rescue was called around 1859 CST and the boy's body was recovered at 2030 CST. Several cars were stranded in high water at Interstate 40 and Bell Street.
July 2002Flash FloodAmarillo1 killed, $30,000Underpasses in the city of Amarillo were flooded and motorists were stranded. One forty-nine year old adult male was killed during a rescue attempt after the motorist attempted to drive through a flooded underpass. Water continued to rise rapidly to a height of approximately fourteen feet. The victim could not swim.
August 2025HailAmarillo1 hurt, $15,000A supercell thunderstorm moved across Amarillo north of I-40. It produced a swath of hail ranging from half dollar size to golfball size. One injury was noted when a female was moving plants outside and was hit in the head with a hailstone that was around golfball size.
May 2013HailAmarillo$200,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A trained storm spotter at the intersection of 34th Ave and Soncy Road (Randall County) reported that baseball size hail had broken out the windows of 7 Bar and Grill. Several business and residential homes near this intersection suffered broken window, roof damage, and hundreds of vehicles at Gene Messer Ford of Amarillo suffered varying degrees of hail damage. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$100,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A trained storm spotter in downtown Amarillo (Potter County) reported golf ball size hail covering the group as the supercell moved through the area. This hail caused varying degrees of damage to residential homes businesses, and vehicles in the area. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$50,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A member of the public at Northwest Texas Hospital (Potter County) reported quarter size hail on Coulter Street in front of the hospital. The hail had accumulated to a foot deep on the road. This hail caused varying degrees to vehicles and roofs in the area. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$50,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A member of the public reported ping pong ball size hail near the intersection of 26th Ave and Georgia (Randall County). This hail caused damage to residential homes and business. A skylight on a residential home was broken by the hail. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
June 2020HailAmarillo$18,000,000A continuous swath of hail ranging from penny size up to golf ball and even hen egg size occurred along a continuous swath over a 50 minute period as a severe storm traveled from the west side of Amarillo across the city to the east side near the Airport. The swath of severe hail extended from the Potter/Randall County line north from 2 to 4 miles into Potter County reaching Route 66 / Highway 60 in some areas per reports. The largest hail fell near or just south of the downtown area near Interstate 40 which included the Woflin area of Amarillo. The event was described as a catastrophic event by insurance companies with well over 500 insurance claims made within a few days time after the event. Widespread roof damage was reported to homes and businesses including buildings at the Amarillo College main campus. Cars were reported dented across the area including at the National Weather Service office where ping-pong hail occurred.
June 2004HailAmarillo$15,000,000Reported at the Westgate Mall area of west Amarillo. Many roofs and skylights to homes damaged.
May 2013HailAmarillo$10,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A member of the public reported a mix of quarter to half dollar fell at their residence and was enough to cover the yard. The hail also caused varying degrees of roof and vehicle damage. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$10,000,000Thunderstorms formed along a dryline stretching east-northeastward across Randall and Potter Counties during the afternoon hours of the 28th. These thunderstorms would take a northeast track which allowed them to move over the dryline. This caused the thunderstorms to produce isolated downbursts across the city. While a thunderstorm was over the intersection of 6th Ave and Osage Road a roof was blown off a metal building due to a downburst. The Amarillo (Potter and Randall County) Emergency Manager reported this damage. The thunderstorm decayed quickly after moving to the dry side of the dryline due to ingesting much drier air into the updrafts. No injuries were associated with this gust.
May 1999HailAmarillo$5,700,000Large hail damaged a total of eight hundred and fifty automobiles at Gene Messer Ford in southwest Amarillo and Westgate Chevrolet on the west side of Amarillo causing a total of two and a half million dollars. The rest of the damage was to other people's cars, roof damage, windows of homes and sky lights.
May 2013HailAmarillo$1,000,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. An amateur radio operator near the intersection of Central Ave and US Highway 87 reported half dollar size hail covering the ground. Several residental homes suffered varying degrees of damage to roofs. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$1,000,000Thunderstorms formed along a dryline stretching east-northeastward across Randall and Potter Counties during the afternoon hours of the 28th. These thunderstorms would take a northeast track which allowed them to move over the dryline. This caused the thunderstorms to produce isolated downbursts across the city. One such downburst blew down powerlines in the fairgrounds area of Amarillo (Potter County). The thunderstorm decayed quickly after moving to the dry side of the dryline due to ingesting much drier air into the updrafts. No injuries were associated with this gust.
May 2013HailAmarillo$500,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A storm chaser at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Coulter Street reported golf ball size hail as the storm crossed their location. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$500,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A member of the public reported quarter size hail at their residence. This hail caused varying degrees of damage to roofs and vehicles. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$500,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. A trained spotter near the intersection of 10th Ave and Williams Street (Potter County) reported nickel size hail. This hail produces minor damage to vehicles and roofs in the area. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$500,000The Amarillo Emergency Management Office relayed numerous reports of widespread wind damage throughout the entire city. Tree limbs were reported to be blown down and were blocking some roadways...power lines were blown down...and many roofs had been blown off local businesses. No injuries were reported.
April 2002HailAmarillo$500,000no account filed
June 2008HailAmarillo$150,000An off-duty National Weather Service employee reported several homes along Farm to Market Road 2575 received considerable roof damage with the windows broken out.
March 2000Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$150,000Eighteen wheeler blown over from the highway.
November 2010Flash FloodAmarillo$125,000The broadcast media and the Amarillo Emergency Operations Center reported that Interstate 27 was closed from Georgia Street to Hillside Road due to numerous stranded motorists in high water. Also, numerous high water rescues were performed all across central and southern Amarillo. No injuries were reported, however numerous vehicles were damaged due to the flash flooding.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$100,000Roof blown off home and golf ball size hail.
May 2013HailAmarillo$100,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. An amateur radio operator at the Western Crossings shopping center reported golf ball size hail. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 2013HailAmarillo$100,000A supercell thunderstorm that developed along a retreating dryline in Deaf Smith and Oldham Counties tracked to the northeast across the southern Texas Panhandle. The supercell entered the city limits of Amarillo during the late night hours of the 28th. This supercell thunderstorm produced copious amounts of large destructive hail across the city. The Amarillo Emergency Manager reported golf ball size hail at the intersection of Western Street and Loop 335 (Potter County). Motorist took shelter from the hail under the overpass. The supercell continued traveling in a northeastern direction which took it out of the Amarillo city limits shortly before midnight on the 29th.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$100,000The storms which started in New Mexico increased in severity as they headed for Amarillo. The tornado that touched down west of Canyon destroyed about 20 homes, injuried 12 people, two seriously and was responsible for the death of a 39-year-old male. It is uncertain if he was outside or in his mobile home. His wife and four children were in the bathroom of the mobile home when the tornado hit. The mobile home was completely demolished and they survived with only minor injuries. Two women in an automobile had stopped on Highway 60 and were attempting to abandon their car when the tornado picked it up and dropped in about 60 yards from where they had stopped. The tornado also cut across a corner of a cattle feed yard killing a few cattle and damaging the yard. On the southwest side and the east side of Amarillo significant microburst wind damage occurred, effecting fences, roofs, mobile homes, and trees. The largest hail associated with these storms was mostly over open ranch land. The damage in Castro County occurred when strong outflow winds damaged several structures.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$100,000no account filed
July 1995HailAmarillo$100,000no account filed
August 2002Flash FloodAmarillo$80,000Vehicles were reported floating at Bell Street and Fulton Avenue.
March 2000Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$75,000Seventeen cars had their windows blown out and there was considerable damage to houses and businesses.
June 2005HailAmarillo$68,000Damage to several roofs along with broken windows and skylights from the large hail.
September 2001Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$60,000Numerous car windows blown out and paint damage to automobiles...many at local car dealerships. Signs were blown down and considerable roof damage at the United Supermarket.
May 2010Flash FloodAmarillo$50,000The broadcast media reported flash flooding in parts of Amarillo Texas along with numerous road closures. Interstate 40 in the eastbound and westbound lanes were reported closed at Washington Street due to a flooded underpass. Interstate 40 and Ross Street and also Interstate 40 and Coulter Street were impassable due to the flash flooding. Interstate 27 and Hillside Road along with Interstate 27 and Bell Street were reported closed. Interstate 40 was reported closed to westbound traffic due to underpass flooding at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Ross Street. High water rescues had to be performed at several intersections within Amarillo Texas including at Bell Street and Fulton Drive and also at Mesa Circle and Western Street. Two cars were reported to be overturned at 34th Avenue and Interstate 27. No injuries were reported.
July 2010Flash FloodAmarillo$50,000Local law enforcement officials reported numerous vehicles were stalled in high water on Interstate 40 and the Coulter Road access road. Also...stalled vehicles were reported on Interstate 40 and Bell Street due to the high water. High water rescues had to be performed on stranded motorists on Interstate 40 and Coulter Street.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$50,000A recreational vehicle business and the roof of a home sustained considerable damage along Interstate 40. No injuries were reported.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$50,000Dime-size hail was reported by Kress Police. KFDA TV station recorded 58 mph winds and nickel-size hail. Nickel-size hail was also reported by National Weather Service employee on the north side of Amarillo. On the south side of Amarillo thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph blew over a radio tower and several trees.
August 1996Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$50,000no account filed
June 2005HailAmarillo$46,000Several roofs and skylights were damaged by the large hail and some windows were broken.
July 2025Flash FloodAmarillo$40,000Heavy rainfall and multiple rounds of rain resulted in flash flooding across the city of Amarillo. There were multiple stalled vehicles in fast moving flood waters, especially across low lying areas in the roads, across Amarillo. Multiple roads were closed due to flash flood conditions.
September 2013Flash FloodAmarillo$40,000A line of near stationary thunderstorms developed over Potter County during the evening hours of the 19th. These thunderstorms formed in a highly moist atmosphere which allowed the thunderstorms to produce heavy rain. This heavy rain led to flash flooding which caused a car to hydroplane and wreck at Interstate 40 and Western Street (Potter County). The Amarillo Globe Newspaper reported that a foot of water had accumulated in the parking lot of Rudy's Barbecue. Emergency personnel also reported to wrecks on Interstate 40 between Avondale Street and Georgia Street. Flash flooding was able to recede after 8 PM CST as thunderstorms moved south of the city.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$35,000A warehouse roof was blown off at 4th Avenue and Harrison Street and walls collapsed. Car windows were also blown out. The storm survey team found scattered wind damage in a broad area across the northern sections of Amarillo. The vast majority of the damage occurred north of Interstate 40...with most of the damage occurring along a four to five mile wide swath...along and either side of Amarillo Boulevard. Some wind damage was even noted outside or north of Loop 335. The team concluded that all of the damage assessed was consistent with...and the result of...downburst winds. There was no credible evidence of tornadic damage. The New Light Ministry Church at Northeast 24th Street and Osage Street lost almost its entire roof...where winds were estimated around one hundred miles an hour. Three vacant mobile homes rolled and were badly damaged along Amarillo Boulevard. Two were at a manufactured home dealership at Eastern Street and the third mobile home damaged was near Mirror Street. These winds were estimated to range between ninety-five and one hundred miles an hour. No injuries were reported.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$35,000High winds caused damage to signs and light damage to trailers at the Lone Star Trailer Park.
June 2005HailAmarillo$32,000Several roofs and skylights were damaged by the large hail.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$30,000A vacant mobile home was wrapped around a telephone pole due to the high winds. No injuries were reported.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$30,000Cars were reported to be blown off the road. No injuries were reported.
July 1995Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$25,000Thunderstorms moved southeast across the panhandles bringing strong outflow winds and hail up to golfball size. The winds northeast of Amarillo did about $25K damage to the Clements prison unit. The golfball hail in Moore county produced some damage reports but was unable to confirm the extent of the damage.
April 2008Dust DevilAmarillo$23,000The Clements Prison Unit reported wind damage believed to be as a result of an intense dust devil which blew out windows of several cars in their parking lot. No injuries were reported.
June 2005HailAmarillo$23,000A few roofs and skylights were damaged by the large hail.
June 2005HailAmarillo$23,000Damage to several roofs and broken skylights.
March 2026HailAmarillo$20,000Hail of mostly nickel to quarter size fell across the western and northwestern side of Amarillo. However, hail of two inches in diameter fell near I-40 and Coulter Street. In addition, hail of golfball size fell to the west-northwest of Amarillo.
August 2024Flash FloodAmarillo$20,000Interstate 40 under the Bell Street bridge was flooded. This resulted in portions of the highway closed in both directions and water rescues also occurred at multiple underpasses.
August 2021FloodAmarillo$20,000Trained spotter had reported street/road flooding, along with road closures and vehicles stranded.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$20,000There was about a half a dozen power lines and poles that were blown down about two miles southeast of Amarillo. There was also some minor wind damage along Interstate 27.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$20,000The broadcast media reported that a tractor trailer rig had blown over on U.S. Highway 287 north of Amarillo at River Park Drive. No injuries were reported.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$20,000A thirty foot travel trailer was destroyed at Klinke Road. No injuries were reported.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$18,000The broadcast media relayed several reports of fifty-two to fifty-six knot wind gusts in Amarillo along with power lines and trees blown down.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$16,000The broadcast media and an off-duty National Weather Service employee relayed a report of a grain elevator blown over at Southeast 3rd Street and Pullman Road. Also...many tree limbs were broken off and one large dead tree was blown over onto a fence. No injuries were reported.
October 2025FloodAmarillo$15,000Police blocked off the underpass on I-40 at the Ross Osage exit due to a car stranded and partially submerged in flood waters.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$15,000Collapsed workshop building pictured near loop 335 and Willow Creek Rd.
April 2012Thunderstorm WindAmarillo$15,000The public reported thunderstorm wind damage at 25th Avenue and Arthur Street where a carport was damaged. There was also a fence with metal poles and wooden pickets that was blown over and a telephone pole was leaning in the backyard of another residence. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Every storm recorded in Potter County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph PropertyDistance Listed
Henry B. and Ellen M. Sanborn House0.2 miles1992
Vineyard Manor0.2 miles2014
Landergin-Harrington House0.2 miles1977
First Baptist Church0.2 miles1983
McMillen Apartments0.2 miles2010
Kouns-Jackson House0.3 miles1992

Sources for this property

National Archives recordThe nomination case file for reference 91002021 in Record Group 79.
Potter CountyAll 36 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

  • Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
  • Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
  • How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.