A few facts about Abilene:

• The town's name was taken from the Bible by the wife of T.F. Hersey, the founder. She allowed it to fall open where it might. It happened to be at the chapter of Luke, in the first verse of which is the name of Abilene, meaning city of the plains.
• The first railroad arrived in Abilene in 1867.
• The city of Abilene was incorporated in 1869.
• Tom Smith was hired as the first city Marshal in 1870.
• Wild Bill Hickok was the Marshal of Abilene in 1871.
• Between 1867 & 1871, over 3 million head of cattle were shipped from Abilene.
• Abilene is the seat of Dickinson County.
• It is home of the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• "The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene..." —Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 22, 1945
• "Abilene provided both a healthy outdoor existence and a need to work. These same conditions were responsible for the existence of a society which, more nearly than any other I have encountered, eliminated prejudices based upon wealth, race, or creed, and maintained a standard of values that placed a premium upon integrity, decency, and a consideration for others." —Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Abilene is home of the World's Largest Spur (27 foot high - 2,000 lbs.)