PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | The Natatorium: The Nat on 6th and Georgia has been a staple of Route 66 since 1922. It was originally built as an outdoor swimming pool, but was later given walls, and turned into a ballroom. The empty swimming pool still remains underneath the floor and is rumored to be haunted
Meredith Keller
Multimedia editor
When traveling down Route 66 you will see your fair share of bars and restaurants, but one building that appears different in almost everyway from the rest is The Natatorium Ballroom, or simply The Nat.
Upon first glimpse the building’s unique design stands out with a close resemblance of a castle. Attached to the other side is a bookstore.
The Nat has been a staple on Route 66 since July 15, 1922. It was originally built as an outdoor swimming pool, which was walled about a year later for year-round swimming.
The side of the road swimming attraction did not last long however, when J.D. Tucker bought the Nat and installed a 10,000 square foot maple dance floor over the pool. The Nat dance palace opened in 1926 on Sept. 12.
The Nat’s current owner Jonathan Baker, who has owed the business since September, could not feel anymore at home in this unique attraction.
“This is the only place in Amarillo where you can see a country show one night, wrestling the next, and come to the next room to browse the most interesting collection of books you’ve ever seen,” Baker said.
The Nat is truly Route 66’s most unique entertainment hot spot.
They offer everything from poetry readings, punk, rock and country music shows, comedy shows, wrestling events, knitting groups and more.
Ian Diaz, a frequent Nat event attendee, said the Nat has great live entertainment that is different from anything he has seen in Amarillo.
“I really enjoy going and hanging out at the Nat whenever they have live performances, especially Jazz,” Diaz said.
The atmosphere there is really chill, and the people are really unique and friendly.”
The Nat welcomes musical artists of all genres, and has been frequently visited by performers who have gone on to make a name for themselves.
Baker, who was a Nat lover before becoming the owner, said his favorite artists he has seen at the Nat are The Dixie Chicks, before they became country music legends.
The Nat stage has seen the likes of Buddy Holly, Duke Ellington, Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen, blues legend Bugs Henderson, Asleep at the Wheel and many more.
The Nat is also known for hosting its Halloween Costume ball and charity events to help support local causes.
“The Halloween Costume Ball would have to be my favorite Nat memory,” said Baker, “I hung out upstairs with friends and watched all the people dance in their costumes. It was a great time.”
If the Halloween festivities do not sound spooky enough, The Nat is rumored to be haunted.
“I know of two ghosts,” Baker said, “One is a woman dressed in all white with red wine spilled on the front of her dress. I’ve had people tell me that sometimes you will see her dancing on the ballroom floor. The other is a young child who is rumored to have drowned in the pool that is empty now, but is still underneath the dance floor.”
Baker said he has never seen these ghosts for himself, but ghost hunters are frequent visitors to The Nat, and many have reported to him that there is indeed something super natural going on inside this historic building.
The Nat is the perfect place for new and interesting shows with local or out-of-town talent.
The Nat will be hosting a wrestling event this Friday, and will have shows of all sorts all summer long. It is open on Wednesday through Saturday, and you can check out The Nat Web site or the bookstore Web site on MySpace.