Vampires Fury
01-03-2005, 11:28 PM
LEGENDS OF AMERICA
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7457 Quivira Rd, #166
Shawnee, KS 66216
913-708-5119
Please report broken links, missing pictures, or other problems online by clicking HERE or send us an email.
Thanks!
LONE STAR LEGENDS
Haunted Natatorium in Amarillo, Texas
Old Route 66 through Sixth Street in Amarillo, Texas is home to the old Natatorium, familiarly called “The Nat,” and according to locals, a few unearthly spirits as well. This old area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been fashionably restored to an antique district, full of collectibles, boutiques and street-side cafes.
“Natatorium” is an old-fashioned word for an indoor swimming pool and when this building opened in July, 1922, that’s exactly what it housed. However, in 1926, J.D. Tucker purchased the pool building and turned it into a dance palace. Covering the pool over with a fine wooden dance floor, the Nat Ballroom began to cater to the flappers of the Roaring 20’s.
The Nat in in Amarillo, Texas, courtesy Visit Amarillo
The Depression brought many changes to the nation and the “Nat” offered a variety of promotions to continue to entice guests to the ballroom. Suffering through this period, The Nat was bought by Harry Badger in the early 1930s. In 1935 he added the castle-like façade and the Nat Café, which provided an entrance to the dance floor from Route 66, and renamed the business The Nat Dine and Dance Palace.
Ushering in the Big Band Era, the Nat had one of the finest dance floors in the Southwest, as groups such as Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Guy Lombardo entertained its many guests. With the advent of Rock “N’ Roll, the Nat continued to entertain with the likes of Little Richard, Roy Orbison, the Crickets and Buddy Holly. At its prime, the ballroom employed a staff of 52 people to help produce its entertainment events and serve the many happy customers of The Nat.
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Many old-timers who learned to swim at the Nat would later recall the fabulous Friday night dances that they attended during its glory days.
Several years ago when The Nat was purchased and renovated for an Antique Mall, owners and guests would notice cold spots upon entering the upstairs rooms, once utilized as a gambling hall. On other occasions strange noises would be heard when no one was there and the owner would arrive to find the furniture rearranged during the night. According to one psychic, a female apparition who once spent many hours in the gambling hall appears in a white dress with a red stain on the bodice. According to the legend, the lady was having a grand time one evening when another patron spilled a glass of red wine down her dress. Obviously, she had so much fun that she is reluctant to leave.
The ballroom floor is said to also be popular with the spirits. When bands still play at the Nat, a ghostly couple can often be seen gliding along its hard-wood floors. In 1996, the Nat conducted an all night ghost investigation complete with video cameras and tape recorders. Though the investigators had many difficulties with the cameras, as they mysteriously shut themselves off, they did obtain a voice recording of a drum playing solo in the background and the sounds of a woman singing.
Another reminder that the spirits are seemingly unwilling to give up the splendor of the past is on the outside wall of the building. Though it was first painted over in 1942, and several times since then, the words “Monty McGee and His Orchestra” continue to bleed through time and time again.
Today, the pool is still in place, hidden under the maple-hardwood floor, that many say is still one of the finest dance floors in the Southwest. In 1994, the Nat was placed in the National Register of Historic Places and became a Texas Historical Landmark in 1995. Meticulously restored, the building housed an antique mall for a time and the landmark is still used occasionally to entertain, as more recent groups such as The Dixie Chicks, Cooder Graw and Joe Ely have continued The Nat’s musical tradition.
The Nat, a prime example of whimsical roadway architecture, is located at 6th and Georgia on old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas
From the Rocky Mountain General Store
Roadhead Chronicles by Mike Marino
Colorado author, and self-confessed "roadhead," Mike Marino, has delivered a one-two punch of a book that goes under the V-8 hood of the American car culture. While reading this book, you'll take a virtual tour of the rock and roll era of the 1950's, visit dozens of neon motels, diners and gas stations, and take a gander down Mother Road 66.
New - $20.95 Item # cnr01
New - Signed By the Author - $25.95 Item #cnr02
Search Legends of America
Web http://legendsofamerica.com
Copyright © 2003-2004, Legends of America
Before assuming everything is paranormal in nature, one must rule out all other possibilities.~Vampires Fury
Caisteal Folais'n a Theine
A Travel Site for the Nostalgic and Historic Minded
Legends Home
Legends Site Map
Rocky Mtn Gen Store
What's New!!
American History
Ghost Towns
Ghostly Legends
Historic People
Legendary Route 66
Old West Legends
Outlaw Legends
Photo Galleries
Treasure Tales
Travel Destinations
Go to...ArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoIdahoIllinoi sKansasMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoOklahomaSouth DakotaTexasWyoming
Area Directories
Roadside Attractions
Scenic Byways
Travel Tips
Rocky Mtn Store
Art Gallery
Book Shelf
Country Mercantile
Jewelry Counter
The Lodge
Postcard Shop
Route 66 Emporium
Travelin' Fun
Ordering & Shipping
View Shopping Cart
Bulletin Board
Guestbook
Links
Newsletter
Our Services
Submit Your Story
About Us
E-mail Us
7457 Quivira Rd, #166
Shawnee, KS 66216
913-708-5119
Please report broken links, missing pictures, or other problems online by clicking HERE or send us an email.
Thanks!
LONE STAR LEGENDS
Haunted Natatorium in Amarillo, Texas
Old Route 66 through Sixth Street in Amarillo, Texas is home to the old Natatorium, familiarly called “The Nat,” and according to locals, a few unearthly spirits as well. This old area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been fashionably restored to an antique district, full of collectibles, boutiques and street-side cafes.
“Natatorium” is an old-fashioned word for an indoor swimming pool and when this building opened in July, 1922, that’s exactly what it housed. However, in 1926, J.D. Tucker purchased the pool building and turned it into a dance palace. Covering the pool over with a fine wooden dance floor, the Nat Ballroom began to cater to the flappers of the Roaring 20’s.
The Nat in in Amarillo, Texas, courtesy Visit Amarillo
The Depression brought many changes to the nation and the “Nat” offered a variety of promotions to continue to entice guests to the ballroom. Suffering through this period, The Nat was bought by Harry Badger in the early 1930s. In 1935 he added the castle-like façade and the Nat Café, which provided an entrance to the dance floor from Route 66, and renamed the business The Nat Dine and Dance Palace.
Ushering in the Big Band Era, the Nat had one of the finest dance floors in the Southwest, as groups such as Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Guy Lombardo entertained its many guests. With the advent of Rock “N’ Roll, the Nat continued to entertain with the likes of Little Richard, Roy Orbison, the Crickets and Buddy Holly. At its prime, the ballroom employed a staff of 52 people to help produce its entertainment events and serve the many happy customers of The Nat.
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Many old-timers who learned to swim at the Nat would later recall the fabulous Friday night dances that they attended during its glory days.
Several years ago when The Nat was purchased and renovated for an Antique Mall, owners and guests would notice cold spots upon entering the upstairs rooms, once utilized as a gambling hall. On other occasions strange noises would be heard when no one was there and the owner would arrive to find the furniture rearranged during the night. According to one psychic, a female apparition who once spent many hours in the gambling hall appears in a white dress with a red stain on the bodice. According to the legend, the lady was having a grand time one evening when another patron spilled a glass of red wine down her dress. Obviously, she had so much fun that she is reluctant to leave.
The ballroom floor is said to also be popular with the spirits. When bands still play at the Nat, a ghostly couple can often be seen gliding along its hard-wood floors. In 1996, the Nat conducted an all night ghost investigation complete with video cameras and tape recorders. Though the investigators had many difficulties with the cameras, as they mysteriously shut themselves off, they did obtain a voice recording of a drum playing solo in the background and the sounds of a woman singing.
Another reminder that the spirits are seemingly unwilling to give up the splendor of the past is on the outside wall of the building. Though it was first painted over in 1942, and several times since then, the words “Monty McGee and His Orchestra” continue to bleed through time and time again.
Today, the pool is still in place, hidden under the maple-hardwood floor, that many say is still one of the finest dance floors in the Southwest. In 1994, the Nat was placed in the National Register of Historic Places and became a Texas Historical Landmark in 1995. Meticulously restored, the building housed an antique mall for a time and the landmark is still used occasionally to entertain, as more recent groups such as The Dixie Chicks, Cooder Graw and Joe Ely have continued The Nat’s musical tradition.
The Nat, a prime example of whimsical roadway architecture, is located at 6th and Georgia on old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas
From the Rocky Mountain General Store
Roadhead Chronicles by Mike Marino
Colorado author, and self-confessed "roadhead," Mike Marino, has delivered a one-two punch of a book that goes under the V-8 hood of the American car culture. While reading this book, you'll take a virtual tour of the rock and roll era of the 1950's, visit dozens of neon motels, diners and gas stations, and take a gander down Mother Road 66.
New - $20.95 Item # cnr01
New - Signed By the Author - $25.95 Item #cnr02
Search Legends of America
Web http://legendsofamerica.com
Copyright © 2003-2004, Legends of America
Before assuming everything is paranormal in nature, one must rule out all other possibilities.~Vampires Fury
Caisteal Folais'n a Theine