Abilene TX was transformed by the hardy and intrepid West Texans. The settlers of Abilene built churches and colleges, started culture clubs, and opened wholesalers’ stores.
Today, the city’s economy is still largely based on agriculture and manufacturing but also has an impressive presence in government, education and healthcare. Abilene serves as the commercial, shopping, medical and transportation hub of a 19-county region known as The Big Country.
Downtown Abilene
With a diverse mix of one-of-a-kind eateries, bars, breweries, clubs and cultural attractions, downtown Abilene offers the functionality and accessibility of a big city while still retaining the cozy small town charm. Here you can toss axes, savor an enticing plethora of flavors, dance the night away and explore a wealth of art galleries and museums all within walking distance.
Abilene is known as the Official Storybook Capital of America. The downtown area has an extensive collection of characters from children’s stories. Snap a selfie with some of your favorite characters as you enjoy the eye-catching scenery.
Swenson House & Gardens
Imagine a wide-open prairie with a lone two-story house rising above the surrounding land. That vision becomes real when you visit the historic Swenson House in Abilene, Texas.
The Swenson House Historical Society owns the house built in 1910. It is located on a city-block. The Swenson House Historical Society hosts events all year round and offers tours of the property. Those events include mother and daughter teas, the Christmas at the Swenson tour and Rock the Swenson, a summer event featuring music and food.
Payne enjoys being a member of the board and is proud of its heritage. She says that there is always more to be done. For example, a recent hail storm damaged the roof. And the house needs new railing, which will cost about $12,000 to install.
Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre is an old, beautiful movie theater in Abilene. The theater has 1,187 seats and a Spanish style decor. It hosts events including operas, films and musical performances. It also maintains balcony tiers and lobbies. Chameleon Performing Arts Company is also hosted at the venue.
This historic theatre is the center piece of a surprisingly vibrant downtown. It is the only theatre of this grandeur between El Paso, Texas and Fort Worth. Local philanthropist Horace O. Wooten built it for the screening of first-run films and stage shows.
It has a great sound system and is a beautiful place to see a concert. Sit in the balcony for a better view of the ceiling mural. You can also take photos, but be sure to turn off the flash.
Mill Wine Bar & Event Center
If you’re a wine lover, you’ll love this place. It has a very cozy atmosphere and offers some tasty food as well as drinks. Staff is friendly and helpful. They’re also available to help you choose the best drink for your palate. The menu has many options, including ribeye and salmon. Sangria and house wine are also available.
This rustic-chic bar serves wines, craft beer and appetizers as well as desserts. A vintage mill dominates the space. This is a favorite spot for weddings and events. You can either order food from the food truck, or dine at their dining room. You can also relax in the outdoor shelters that have fire pits.
Frontier Texas
Abilene, Texas, is the hub for commercial, retail, transportation, and medical services in a region of 19 counties known as Big Country, or Texas Midwest. Three private universities, and a military installation, anchor the region. The Abilene reporter-news is located here, and the city offers a variety of dining, lodging, cultural, and convention options that are rarely seen in a small city.
It was founded by land speculators and ranchers to serve as an inventory shipping point for the Texas and Pacific Railroad. The town is named after Abilene Kansas, which is the endpoint of Chisholm Trail. Claiborne Merchant, considered to be the father of Abilene, suggested the name.
Today, the city’s Western Heritage Center, Frontier Texas, reenacts an early fort and tells stories about West Texans through holographic historic figures. Downtown is home to several educational museums and urban parks, as well as a vibrant public arts scene.