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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 build 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 head 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 order was Tom Smith. More famous was "Wild Bill" Hickok who became known as the deadliest "two gun" marshal on the Western frontier.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower lived in Abilene from 1891 to 1911. The Eisenhower home and museum are open to the public.
Taken from a Historical Marker located at Old Abilene Town. The marker was erected by the Kansas Historical Society and the State Highway Commission.
Below are many informational links about Abilene and the sites, museums, and companies located there.
Museums and Tourist Sites
Museum of Independent Telephony
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum
Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad
The Greyhounds Corner of the World (Adoption Service)
Greyhound Hall of Fame
The Greyhound Capital of the Midwest
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
Kansas Historical Trails
Dickinson County Historical Society's Heritage Center
Old Abilene Town
Tom Smith and Wild Bill Hickok
Companies and Government Related Agencies
Dickinson County Sheriff's Department
Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce
Abilene Middle School
Abilene High School
Lawrence Hall Chevrolet Mazda Kia of Abilene
Abilene Resident Personal Webpages
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