A Mother Road landmark that was lighter than air

THE AMARILLO HELIUM PLANT, operated by the United States Bureau of Mines, was the first to produce helium from the extensive helium resources in the Texas Panhandle. From 1929 until 1943, it furnished almost all of the world's supply of helium. | TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

PHILIP HOLLAND of Dumas, Texas, who worked at the Amarillo Helium Plant from 1974 to its closure in 1998, was thrilled to see the site come back to life. | TEXAS SPUR

NEW HELIUM PLANT OWNERS Daniel and Megan Rosenbach (at right) have invested a year of sweat equity—and cash and ingenuity—in repurposing the industrial facility. | TEXAS SPUR

MULTIPLE GENERATIONS of the Helium Heights family contributed to its opening weekend June 5–6, with Megan Rosenbach’s parents, Tracy and Nancy Heaton of Fort Morgan, Colorado (above), exhibiting nature and industrial photography and daughters Madison and Kendra helping in numerous ways. | TEXAS SPUR

OPERATINGROUNDTHECLOCK, the plant once extracted helium by liquefying the natural gas and separating helium from it at temperatures 300 degrees below zero. | TEXAS SPUR

POODLE AND POOCH An Amarillo Sod Poodles baseball fan brought his four-legged friend along to the Helium Heights Market June 6. | TEXAS SPUR

THREE THREAD TEES of Amarillo was one of numerous vendors bringing a vintage vibe to the Helium Heights Route 66 Centennial Market.FindthematThreeThreadTeesonFacebook. | TEXASSPUR

SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT sewing machine was a vintage highlight of Dianna Yarnold’s sewing club tent. Find her on Instagram at TexasQuiltedFeather. | TEXAS SPUR

YELLOW CITY CIDER was one of several adult beverages available for sampling and purchase at the first Helium Heights Route 66 Centennial Market June 6. | TEXAS SPUR