When was abilene tx established

Many of the legends and the traditions of the cowboy days had their origin in the Abilene of nearly a century ago. Unlike so many pioneer boom town, Abilene never lost its fame and character. The story of Abilene had its beginning in the year when Timothy F. Hersey and his family chose a spot on the present of the city for their log cabin. It was named by Mrs.

In allowing it to fall open where it might. It happened to be at the third chapter of Luke, in the first verse of which is the name of Abilene, meaning City of the Plains.

The growth of the city was slow until the Kansas Pacific Railroad was built through Abilene in A livestock dealer form Illinois, Joseph G. McCoy, saw the opportunities presented by the railroad in providing a means of transporting Texas cattle to markets in the est. McCoy came to Abilene with the plan of making it a cattle shipping center and built a stockyard and hotel for the purpose. The new enterprise prospered until when newer railroads put Newton, Wichita, and Ellsworth in favored positions as shipping points.

As the end of the Texas cattle trail -- Chisholm Trail -- it rapidly became a wild and "open" frontier town.

Stores, saloons, and gambling houses sprang up to compete for the patronage of the cowboys. With the prosperity of the cattlemen came an era of lawlessness. Tom Smith, who had the reputation of being one of the bravest men in the West, became the first city marshal.

One of his first official acts was to issue an order that no one would be allowed to carry firearms within the city limits without a permit. Smith's ability was well enough respected that even the most troublesome cowboys and gamblers obeyed. In , however, Smith was murdered while attempting to arrest a man near the town of Detroit.

Tom Smith's successor as city marshal was the famous Wild Bill Hickok. Wild Bill's name was well known in the west before he came to Abilene, but the deadly marksmanship he displayed in keeping the city quiet and orderly throughout added to his fame. Frizzell had the honor of being the only person legally hanged in Taylor County. Johnson Cartoon by Roger T. Moore Oct 14, James J. Johnson started his record setting 24 hours of golf holes at Abilene Country Club. Moore October 24, Plennie Wingo of Abilene completed his mile trip of walking backward across the U.

Walking Backward Miles Across the U. Cartoon by Roger T. Abilene Old Postcards. Pine Street Postcard courtesy rootsweb. Cotton "waiting to be weighted. Spillway, Lytle Lake, Abilene Postcard courtesy rootsweb.

First Presbyterian Church Postcard courtesy rootsweb. Alexander Building Ca. Abilene High School Building Postcard courtesy rootsweb. Cowden Hall, Simmons College Postcard courtesy rootsweb. McMurry College Postcard courtesy rootsweb. Postcard courtesy rootsweb. More Rooms with a Past. Grande Lodge Postcard courtesy rootsweb.

El Corral Motel s Postcard courtesy rootsweb. It was located, I believe, on South 7th close to the intersection with Willis Street. In the s Abilene turned the declining downtown area into a historic district, anchored by the Grace Cultural Center and Museums of Abilene complex and promoted by an art walk. Old railroad buildings have been transformed into a restaurant, candy factory, and tourist information and Chamber of Commerce center.

Minor-league baseball and hockey teams have complemented the strong Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, opera association, ballet company, and theater groups as entertainment attractions. The Abilene Convention Center brings all types of organizations to the downtown area, while the Taylor County Coliseum has become the center for horse shows and rodeos. Downs, Fane, ed. Abilene TX: Richardson, Duff, Katharyn, and Betty Kay Seibt. Burnet TX: Eakin, The History of Abilene. Abilene TX: McMurry, XML: egp.

Image credits. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains David J.