In 1857,Dickinson County was founded and Abilene began as a stage coach stop, established by Timothy Hersey and named Mud Creek. It was not until 1860 that it was namedAbilene, from a passage in the Bible (Luke 3:1), meaning "grassy plains".[2]
In 1867, theKansas Pacific Railway (Union Pacific) pushed westward through Abilene. In the same year,Joseph G. McCoy purchased 250 acres of land north and east of Abilene, on which he built a hotel, the Drover's Cottage, stockyards equipped for 2,000 head of cattle, and a stable for their horses. The Kansas Pacific put in a spur line at Abilene that enabled the cattle cars to be loaded and sent on to their destinations. The first twenty carloads left September 5, 1867, en route to Chicago, Illinois, where McCoy was familiar with the market.[7] The town grew quickly and became the first "cow town" of the west.[8]
McCoy encouraged Texas cattlemen to drive their herds to his stockyards. From 1867 to 1871, theChisholm Trail ended in Abilene, bringing in many travelers and making Abilene one of the wildest towns in the west.[9][10] The stockyards shipped 35,000 head in 1867 and became the largest stockyards west ofKansas City, Kansas. In 1871, more than 5,000 cowboys herded from 600,000 to 700,000 cows to Abilene and other Kansas railheads.[2][11][12] Another source reports 440,200 head of cattle were shipped out of Abilene from 1867 to 1871.[13] As railroads were built further south, the end of the Chisholm Trail was slowly moved south towardCaldwell, while Kansas homesteaders concerned with cattle ruining their farm crops moved the trail west toward and pastEllsworth.
TownmarshalTom "Bear River" Smith was initially successful policing Abilene, often using only his bare hands. He survived twoassassination attempts, but was murdered anddecapitated on November 2, 1870. Smith wounded one of his two attackers during the shootout preceding his death, and both suspects receivedlife in prison for the offense.[8] He was replaced as marshal byWild Bill Hickok in April 1871.[2] Hickok's time in the job was short. While the marshal was standing off a crowd during a street brawl,gamblerPhil Coe took two shots at Hickok, who returned fire, killing Coe, but Hickok then accidentally shot his friend and deputy Mike Williams,[14] who was coming to his aid. Hickok lost his job two months later in December.
In 1880, Conrad Lebold built theLebold Mansion. Lebold was one of the early town developers and bankers from 1869 through 1889. The Hersey dugout can still be seen in the cellar. The house is now a private residence.[15] A marker outside credits the name of the town being given by opening a Bible and using the first place name pointed to.
In 1890, Dr. A.B. Seelye founded the A.B. Seelye Medical Company. Seelye developed over 100 products for the company including "Wasa-Tusa",[16][failed verification] an Indian name meaningto heal.
Located in the transition zone between North America'shumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) andhumid continental climate (KöppenDfa) zones, Abilene experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. In the spring, severe thunderstorms bring the threat of tornadoes and hail. The hottest temperature recorded in Abilene was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on July 13, 1954, and July 15, 1954, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 12, 1899.[22]
Climate data for Abilene, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Of the 2,797 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18; 44.7% were married couples living together; 30.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[27] The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.9.[31] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 21.2% of the population.[32]
23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males.[27] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.9 males.[27]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,829 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,161) and the median family income was $69,815 (+/- $11,480).[33] Males had a median income of $36,933 (+/- $6,402) versus $21,540 (+/- $3,802) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,625 (+/- $4,869).[34] Approximately, 4.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or over.[35][36]
As of the2010 census, there were 6,844 people, 2,878 households, and 1,781 families residing in the city.[37] The population density was 1,463.6 inhabitants per square mile (565.1/km2). There were 3,143 housing units at an average density of 671.6 per square mile (259.3/km2). The city's racial makeup was 94.9%White, 0.9%African American, 0.4%American Indian, 0.2%Asian, 1.1% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. 4.7% of the population wasHispanic orLatino of any race.[38]
There were 2,878 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33, and the average family size was 2.97.[38]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males age 18 and over.[38]
The city's median household income was $48,115, and the median family income was $61,146. Males had a median income of $42,332 versus $29,325 for females. The city'sper capita income was $21,820. About 7.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.[38]
Interstate 70 andU.S. Route 40 run concurrently east–west immediately north of Abilene, intersecting highwayK-15, which runs north–south through the city.[18]
The Kansas Pacific (KP) line of theUnion Pacific Railroad runs east–west through the city.[19][40] It intersects aBNSF Railway line which enters the city from the east and then turns north.[41]
Great Plains Theatre - Originally First Presbyterian Church, built in 1881, Landmarked, and is now a live professional theatre, and movie theatre.[2]
Greyhound Hall of Fame - Near the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the hall exhibits the history of thegreyhound breed and of greyhound racing.
Heritage Center of Dickinson County - Two museums including the Historical Museum and the Museum of Independent Telephony. The Museum of Independent Telephony tells the story ofC. L. Brown, whose independentBrown Telephone Company grew to becomeSprint Corporation[52] and thenT-Mobile.
Lebold Mansion - National Register Property listed in 1973. Built in 1880 in the Italianate Tuscan villa style. This decorative arts museum was once home to one of the finest collections of American Victorian antiques and artifacts. However, the museum closed to all tours in June 2010 and was sold to new owners as a private residence on 9/15/10.[3]
Old Abilene Town - Constructed as a replica historic district, beginning in the late 1950s, it includes several original buildings that have been moved from their original locations.[53]
A. B. Seelye House and Museum - A Georgian style mansion built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000. The 25 room mansion contains the original furniture and Edison light fixtures. The Patent Medicine Museum contains many artifacts of the A.B. Seelye Medical Company.[4] Listed on theNational Register of Historic Places, it is a museum showcasing Seelye, an advocate ofpatent medicines.[54]
Kansas Historical Marker -Historic Abilene, on south Sixth Street.[55]
Cowboy-era Abilene is the fictional setting for the Randolph Scott-starring 1946 filmAbilene Town, which in turn became the inspiration behind the 1963 hit song "Abilene", recorded byGeorge Hamilton IV.
British singer-songwriterJohn Cale's song "Buffalo Ballet" from his 1974 albumFear reflects a cynical view of the town's history from the days it was "young and gay" until it "drowned in wealth and pain", as an example of the expansion of theAmerican Frontier.
^"F. D. Parent, Retired City Judge, Dies at 81: Inglewood Man, Who Served on Bench 28 Years, Coached Eisenhower in High School.",Los Angeles Times, p. B1, June 20, 1960
