Amarillo honors a 'Man of Two Worlds' with Quanah Parker statue dedication, unveiling

Amarillo honored the Panhandle's history and last chief of the Comanche nation Wednesday morning with the unveiling of a Quanah Parker statue as a permanent feature in the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.

"I can think of no better way to honor our past and to preserve it for future generations than this ceremony honoring Amarillo icon Quanah Parker," said Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell in her presentation speech.

Quanah Parker has been recognized in the area for many reasons, including his appointed role as the chief of the Comanche nation, his role in the foundation of the Golden Spread, and his part in the establishment of the Native American Church.

During the event, guest speakers, including Powell; Amarillo City Councilmember Howard Smith; King Hill, representing his father, Jack Hill, creator of the Parker statue; Parker's great-granddaughter, Nancy Boles, and great-great-granddaughter, Lesley Pike; each spoke, commemorating the historical day.

"I am very honored to be here and that there is something for the future generations to see and to acknowledge the contributions that he made, not only to this area but to this nation. ... Quanah Parker to me is the true testament of the Native Americans and the white world coming together. He showed that through perseverance and dedication, anything can be accomplished," Pike said.

In honor of their heritage and their great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, Boles and Pike wore their traditional regalia during the unveiling event.

"I cannot begin to describe what an honor it is to have my great-grandfather recognized like this. Especially with so much of the history nowadays not being taught or being erased, to have it preserved here is more than words can express. I am very proud of my heritage and proud to see it recognized this way," Boles said.

The bust statue was gifted to the City of Amarillo by the family of King Hill in 2018. The permanent figure was created by Hill's father, Jack Hill, who was very close with the Parker family. Although the process was set in motion to have the statue displayed by the city, it was delayed due to the pandemic and the need to find the perfect place to display the figure.

"My father would travel extensively throughout the United States, doing work to create statues of Native Americans, primarily bronze statues of many of the many Native American chiefs," Hill said.

"As a boy, we became well acquainted with the Parker family. They adopted us. We would go to their home and stay, and when they came to Amarillo, they'd stay with us. It's family. So having that statue honoring the great chief is an honor to both families. Quanah spanned two worlds; this is an honor spanning two families," Hill said.

According to the sculptor's son, the monument will later include two plaques hung on the wall behind the bronze figure, including more information about Parker, the statue's creator and his relationship with the Parker blood line.

"By the Hill family giving this to the city of Amarillo, we are able to share the unique history of Amarillo and the Panhandle for generations to come, and the placement itself has significance to allow those traveling to see," Smith said.

The statue can be viewed inside of the airport on the second floor of the terminal building in the center of the corridor, adjacent to the airline ticket counters.

Other statues created by Jack Hill of Parker and other Native American icons can be seen at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum and the Palo Duro National Canyon.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo unveils Quanah Parker statue at airport ceremony