Abilene Stories to Tell!

This past weekend, we spent a few days in historic Abilene. Every town has its special history, and Abilene has several stories to tell. It is a joy to share some of the things we learned while visiting this vibrant town filled with art, western flair, and fun. Thank you to Visit Abilene for hosting us.

The Chisholm Trail and cowboy story.

The story of the cattle drives is key to this wild west town. We enjoyed some of the Wild West story with a visit to the Central Free Fair and the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo. 

The cowboy history is everywhere in Abilene like this map of the Chisholm Trail in Joe Snuffy’s Diner in Abilene.

There is a marker outside of the Abilene Smoky Valley Railway depot that tells the Texas Longhorn story. “At the end of the Civil War when millions of longhorns were left on the plains of Texas without a market, the Union Pacific, was building west, across Kansas. Joseph McCoy, an Illinois stockman, believed these cattle could be herded north for shipment by rail. He, built yards at Abilene and sent agents to notify the Texas cattlemen. In 1867 the first drives were made up the Chisholm trail and during the next five years more than a million heads were received. Abilene became the first of the wild cattle towns where gambling places, saloons and dance halls competed for the cowboys’ wages. Gun fights were frequent and several peace officers resigned. The first to bring law and order was Tom Smith. More famous was “Wild Bill” Hickok who became known as the deadliest “two guns” Marshall in the West.”

The cowboy story is shared in art in Abilene.

Loving the biggest of things, the Big Spur and the World’s Largest Belt Buckle helps put Abilene on the map. Part of their unique western story. In Abilene, they have an amazing Cowboy Art Trail. The trail celebrates the Old West history with painted cowboy boots, roadside art, and historic murals. Currently there are 14 cool boots to view, 19 murals many part of the cowboy art trail.

Perhaps my favorite sculpture piece on the trail is The Abilene Cowboy Situated on the south side of the Abilene High School, the statue is over 15 feet tall. It weighs more than a ton.

A girl has to eat, and while wondering around looking for the cowboy art trail, we stumbled on the yummy Donut Palace. We both had to get a donut, (no I didn’t split one).  They had lots of donuts to choose from, and an array of coffee, teas and more as well.

Wild Bill

The cattle drives brought cowboys with lots of money to town and with that came some wild and wooly ways. The locals decided enough was enough, eventually bringing “Wild Bill” Hickok to town.

Wild Bill brought the city under control but had a run in with the owner of the Bull’s Head Saloon.

It was at this site, in 1871, that Wild Bill Hickok thought he was fighting a foe, and sadly instead killed his friend and Deputy. Devastated by his friend’s death, Wild Bill Hickok was fired, and cattle drives were banned. It was the end of an era in the Wild West town. His story is depicted throughout town, and in more details at the amazing Dickinson County Heritage Center Museum.

Downtown lures Keith

During seeking out new aspects of the Cowboy Art Trail, we were lured into the antique stores in Abilene’s historic downtown. My husband Keith, an antique farm aficionado, found several items to add to his collectibles.

I even got him to pose in front of a sign that said, “I like antiques”. Very fitting. After our last visit to Abilene and other Kansas cities, I ended up writing a blog, Keith’s Kansas Kollectibles. His shopping habits on this visit were no different.

Greyhound history

I had to have a stop at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and get my doggie fix by taking a minute to pet their rescue greyhounds Max and Cocoa. They are retired racing dogs, and official greeters and ambassadors!

The Hall of Fame has a very special history. On their website they share their story. “The Greyhound Hall of Fame honors the champions, owners, trainers, and contributors who have shaped the sport of greyhound racing. Located in Abilene, Kansas, our museum preserves the rich legacy of this beloved breed and celebrates the people who dedicated their lives to it.”

John Deere, yes please!

One more collectible stop at the local Praireland Partners John Deere dealership. Of course, Keith found a few items he needed on the farm.

Later working on a story about the farm toy museum at the Dickinson County Heritage Museum Center I learned that the man that donated the toys for the museum, John Gruber, once worked at the dealership when it was Shouse Implement.

Lunch at M & R Grill

Lunch time!  On to the amazing M & R Grill where Keith and I shared a salad and Chicken Parmesan pasta dish. Very good and filling.

Toys and more at the Dickinson County Historical Center Museum

Fortified, for our next adventure we went to the Dickinson County Heritage Center Museum. There is a lot of agricultural history here like the Model of the Giles and Gordon Advanced Elevator, and the story of Theodore C. Henry introducing Turkey Red Winter Wheat to the county in the 1870’s.

But the main reason we came to Abilene is to cover the new farm toy museum. I am working on an article that will be in an upcoming issue of Farm World.

The museum features John Gruber’s mostly John Deere Toy Tractor Collection.

 On the museum website they share a bit about this amazing collection.”John Gruber has donated his collection of toy tractors that he started collecting in the 1970s.  John was a longtime employee at Shouse Implement.  There are over 1,500 toy farm tractors, equipment and memorabilia for guests to see.  Explore our agricultural history in miniature and see how it progresses through the years.  Within the museum, there is a kid zone for youth to play with and learn about our agricultural history.”

There are also other brands for collectors to enjoy as well. The toy museum is a huge draw bringing visitors from all over to see this cool farm toy collection!

C.W. Parker Carousel

Keith and I also enjoyed a ride on the once steam powered carousel now powered by electricity. Visit Abilene Kansas shares, “Named one of the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s 8 Wonders of Kansas – Customs, Abilene’s C.W. Parker Carousel is the oldest operational Parker carousel known to exist.”

We had fun acting like the kids at heart we are and seeing this historic ride in action. We also loved the beautiful barn and building full of antique tractors. Right up our alley.

A walk in Old Abilene Town was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Dinner train ride on the Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad!

I must say, one of the highlights of this trip was the dinner train ride on the amazing Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad.

It wasn’t just a box meal; we were served a full German dinner from Chef Schatzi’s . He came to the US 15 years ago and now has a restaurant Schatzi’s Haus in Riley, Kansas. We were lucky to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

The train stopped briefly in Enterprise where we got a chance to enjoy a view of the Hoffman Grist mill and gift shop.

I bought a pair of earrings made by one of the ladies serving us on the train.

Lots of history!  Besides the dinner train, there are several other train rides to choose from. We loved the historic ride through the rural countryside.   

Sunday Fun Day!

Sunday morning, Keith and I headed to Joe Snuffy’s, Old Fashioned Grill for breakfast.  A place known for their dedication to Veterans, it was a big favorite for us on the trip.  During a previous visit, I learned that the name came about because the owner Marty Andrew’s dad, Joe got the nickname “Snuffy” in his childhood, and it stuck.

All over Abilene are also reminders of the fact that this year is the 250^th birthday of our nation. Outside of Snuffy is a cool flag picture that takes a fun photo op, and then there is Abilene Celebrates America’s 250^th mural.

The Sunflower Stamp Mural and American Bison Stamp Mural also celebrate state history and their Great Plains heritage.

President Eisenhower

A patriotic story that never gets old is the Dwight D. Eisenhower story. President Dwight D. Eisenhower grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1909. In town you can visit the Eisenhower Boyhood & Childhood Home, Eisenhower Presidential Library and see the Chapel where he and Mamie and their young son Doud are buried.

Stories of “Ike” reverberate through Abilene with the mural like “I Like Ike” the streets and parks named in his likeness, and the Ike “I Come from the Very Heart of America” quote mural. This is especially touching because it is on a grain silo which serves as the high rises of the town of Abilene.

One of our favorite “Eisenhower” finds is the Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden. We loved strolling through this beautiful scene with over 150 different types of roses and more than 500 varieties of flowers.

What an amazing site for senior and engagement photos.

Wrapping with a Church service

We ended our trip visiting the beautiful Trinity Lutheran church located downtown.

Established in 1878 it was wonderful worshiping with locals before heading back to the Prairie state with memories of Abilene dancing in our head.