Шемрок, Техас: История и современность маленького города на Route 66

City in the United States

Shamrock is a city in Wheeler County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the city had a total population of 1,789. The city is located in the eastern portion of the Texas Panhandle, centered along the crossroads of Interstate 40 (formerly U. S. Route 66) and U. S. Route 83. It is 110 mile (177 km) east of Amarillo, 188 mile (303 km) west of Oklahoma City, and 291 mile (468 km) northwest of Dallas.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,789 people residing in the city.

As of the 2021 American Community Survey, the median household income in Shamrock was $38,958. 22.1% of all people in Shamrock live below the poverty line.

As of the 2021 American Community Survey, the median age in Shamrock was 36.7. +Population by Race (2020)RaceNumberPercentageWhite alone1,37076.6%Black or African American alone693.9%American Indian and Alaska Native alone331.8%Asian alone231.3%Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone20.11%Some Other Race alone1468.3%Population of two or more races1468.3%Total1,789

As of the census At the time of opening, the U Drop was the only café within 100 mile (161 km) of Shamrock, enjoying brisk business and becoming a successful establishment. Once considered a beautiful and impressive example of Route 66 architecture in Texas, the U Drop Inn fell into disrepair with the decommissioning of Route 66. Referred to as "one of the most impressive examples" of Route 66 architecture by the Texas Historical Commission, the U Drop Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. In May 1999, the First National Bank of Shamrock purchased the then closed U Drop Inn and gave it to the city of Shamrock. With a $1.7 million federal grant, the city was able to hire a firm specializing in historical renovation to restore the building to its original condition and adapt it into a museum, visitors' center, gift shop, and the city's chamber of commerce. The revived U Drop Inn was featured in the 2006 animated film Cars as the inspiration for the fictional Ramone's body shop.

The Old Reynolds Hotel, a historic building, was saved from demolition and converted into a museum by local residents. The building with 25 rooms was turned into an exhibition hall with pioneer artifacts, typical objects of settlers, and Native American arrowheads. The exhibits range from local historical objects to a space exhibit to a military history exhibit.

A kissable chunk of Ireland's Blarney Stone is located in Shamrock. In 1959, a local organization sent away for the stone to preserve the town's Irish image. Irish resistance to the stone leaving its homeland led to the stone being escorted by guards and an armored truck.

Two annual social gatherings are organized each year to celebrate the founder's heritage. 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.

The City of Shamrock is served by the Shamrock Independent School District and home to the Shamrock High School Irish.

Shamrock was mentioned in the first season of the 2000 sitcom Yes, Dear, episode 13, "Jimmy's Jimmy," when Jimmy's best friend, Billy, reported the rear axle fell off his Subaru Brat in Shamrock en route to California. Shamrock was featured in Ken Block’s film Gymkhana 10, With Ken driving a heavily modified Ford pickup, doing extreme stunts.