Road trip on Historic U.S. Route 66 to Shamrock, Texas

Route 66 Road Trip to Shamrock, Texas

Welcome to Shamrock, Texas on Historic U.S. Route 66

The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line at Texola, OK, near Shamrock, and traveled through McLean and Groom on its way to Amarillo. Shamrock is 15 miles west of the Oklahoma-Texas border.

First settled in 1890, the city is located in south central Wheeler County, and has a population of about 2,000 residents. The location of U.S. Highway 66 made the main avenue of Shamrock boom with garages, filling stations, restaurants, and tourist courts.

Among the attractions today are the Pioneer West Museum, Zeigler House, the Magnolia Gas Station, and the U-Drop Inn. A fragment of the genuine Blarney Stone from Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, is mounted on a pillar in Elmore Park.

The Shamrock Visitor Information Center and the Chamber of Commerce are located in the U-Drop Inn. Visitors to Shamrock also enjoy their visits to the nearby Water Tower Plaza showcasing the tallest historic water tower in Texas.

The annual St. Patrick’s Celebration is held on the weekend closest to St Patrick’s Day. Irish Craftfest is held annually the first weekend of October at the Shamrock Area Community Center.

Map showing the location of Shamrock and Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle

"Entrance City to Texas on U.S. 66" ... seen in this vintage postcard

Highlights of Attractions and Things to Do in Shamrock

Pioneer West Museum
Shamrock, Texas

The Pioneer West Museum is housed in the Reynolds Hotel, opened in 1928. Adjacent to the museum is the restored Magnolia gas station, also part of the museum, which also includes the Zeigler House and the "Old Barn".

Located at 204 N. Madden Street. Free admission.

The Pioneer West Museum in Shamrock, Texas

Magnolia Service Station

The restored Magnolia service station in Shamrock ... grand opening May 18, 1929

Mural in Shamrock, Texas

Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe

Tower Station and the U-Drop Inn Cafe were opened in 1936 to provide services for travelers heading west on the Mother Road. The Conoco station provided fuel for those early travelers, while the cafe provided food and drink.

Restored in 2004, today the iconic art deco building of green glazed tile and brick serves as a Visitor Information Center and also houses the Chamber of Commerce. It hosts over 25,000 visitors a year from around the world ... a "must see" when traveling this part of Route 66!

The building served as the inspiration for Ramone's Body Shop in Pixar's movie "Cars".

In 2021 the U-Drop Inn Cafe began offering restaurant service in the building for the first time in decades.

Ramone's House of Body Art in the movie "Cars" has a strong similarity to the U-Drop Inn.
The Tower Plaza and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas

The Conoco tower against a brilliant blue Texas sky in Shamrock	Historic marker at the Tower Building in Shamrock
Sign at the U-Drop Inn	Conoco gas pumps at Tower Plaza

Mural in Shamrock, Texas: Crossroads of America ... Home of the Midnight Cowboy Bill Mack
The Shamrock Water Tower Plaza includes the estimated 172-foot tall city water tower, built in 1915, which is believed to be the tallest of its class in Texas, a long mural of historic Shamrock on the building next door, and interesting display plaques showing the history of the tower and various stages of construction. Located at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

Another popular Route 66 mural in Shamrock

Hotels and Lodging Options in Shamrock and The Panhandle

Hotel listings and traveler reviews in Shamrock, Texas

Hotels in Groom, Texas

Hotels in Amarillo, Texas

Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Shamrock

Earlier times on Route 66 in Texas: The Sun 'n Sand Motel in Shamrock, TX

We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Shamrock and Route 66.

What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove through and around Shamrock? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings look like when they were new?

What did the traveling public experience on the Mother Road? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today.

Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades.

These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today around Shamrock.