In the 1860s, Abilene was a booming cowtown at the end of the Chisholm Trail, and this Kansas city hasn’t forgotten its roots.
Three attractions in close proximity: Dickinson County Heritage Center, an excellent museum that honors local history and the Wild West; Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad; and Old Abilene Town.
The museum covers nearly every aspect of the county from the Wild West to the 21st century. For example, C.L. Brown. His telephone company eventually became known as Sprint. Abilene’s former town Marshal, Wild Bill Hickok. And Joseph McCoy, who brought hundreds of thousands of cattle to Abilene in the 1860s, made Abilene a booming cowtown at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
Employees and volunteers are helpful and can answer just about any question a guest might ask concerning Abilene.
The museum also houses the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel, believed to be the oldest operating Parker carousel. The carousel is hand-carved, featuring 24 horses and four chariots.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad features century-old steam engines to more recently built trains. The train takes guests 10.5 miles round-trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring community of Enterprise.
In Enterprise, the train stops so riders can see the Hoffman Grist Mill, which features a rebuilt working waterwheel that mills flour.
Operated by volunteers, including engineers, conductors, brakemen, car attendants who narrate every trip and depot workers. Volunteers also handle mechanical work and track maintenance.
The last attraction nestled by the railroad is Old Abilene Town. Here, it’s easy to allow your imagination to drift back 150 years, when the cowboys and gunfighters made the town their home.
During the summer travel season, guests can travel back in time as costumed performers take on the roles of famous and infamous residents.
Old Abilene Town also hosts Chisholm Trail Days during Labor Day weekend, featuring a live cattle drive through Old Abilene Town, reenactors, country music performances, and more.
For more information on these excellent attractions and more, click here.
