If you've ever driven across Kansas on I-70, the interstate that bisects Kansas from Kansas City to Colorado, you at least got a glimpse of Abilene. Located roughly halfway between Kansas City and Hays, this little town on the Kansas prairie is packed with history and full of amazing architecture. Whether this town of about 7,000 people is your final destination or a pit stop along your route, here are eight things to do in Abilene, Kansas.

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Historical houses tend to make the best bed and breakfast inns. The Engle House in Abilene, Kansas, is a perfect example of that rule

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Cedar Street Market Antiques in Abilene, Kansas - Eclectic & Memorable

From the moment that I walked through the door of  Cedar Street Market Antiques , I could tell that this was a store that I was going to love. Not only was there fun modern decor scattered throughout but there were also a ton of antiques as well. A perfect "hodgepodge", if I do say so myself. And while I loved everything that this eclectic store in Abilene, Kansas had to offer, I loved the owner Connie and her handy helper (her puppy, Violet) even more.

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In 2019 we will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the grand re-opening of the renovated Eisenhower Presidential Museum, as well as the 150th anniversary of the City of Abilene's incorporation. Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye and 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful things that make our community standout.

 

To continue this tradition, the City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on 3rd Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are displayed for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene's Public Works Department replaces them as needed.

 

Our goal this year is to purchase 200 flags for the 2019 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole.

 

Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW attach the flags to the flagpoles. The Public Works Department, Eagle Communications, Abilene Rental, and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles.

 

We rely on the community to provide funding for this project and hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year. Please complete the form below and return it to the Abilene CVB by January 8, 2019.

 

Thank you in advance for your support!

 

Julie Roller

Director, Abilene CVB

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Flag sponsors as of 1/2/2019

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Abilene Auto Parts Inc.

Abilene Machine Inc.

Abilene Printing & Office Products Co., Inc.

Abilene Rent-All & Sales

American Family Insurance

AuBurn Pharmacy 

Bert & Wetta Sales Inc

Bill & Nanc Scholl

Black & Company Realtors

Bob Burns- State Farm Insurance Agent 

Brian's Plumbing Inc

Brown Memorial Foundation

Bruce & Denise Youtsey

Casey & Jane Foltz

Central Kansas Free Fair

Copeland Insurance

Dan & Marilyn Holt

Danner Funeral Home

Don's Tire & Supply Inc

Eisenhower Foundation

Everett's Inc.

George & Carol McCormic 

Greyhound Hall of Fame

Harold & Sue Courtois

Holm Automotive Center

Jessica Weissenbach

Jim & Pattie Mayhew

John & April Barker

Kenton & Stephanie Clark

KJIL - Mark Hinca

Kohler Family (Jason & Kim)

Dr. Lawrence Cooper

Larry & Tina Rankin

Linder Electric Inc.

M & R Grill

Marcus Rothchild

Martin Becker Carlson Funeral

Martin Schneider in Memory of Jack Schneider

Memorial Health System 

OCCK, Inc.

Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy

Peterson Monuments & Designs, Inc.

Pinnacle Bank

Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman

RHV / Ken & Ann Manning

Rick & Marcia Williamson

Rivendell Bookstore/Picture This Plus

Robson Oil Co Inc

Rod & Tracey Kuecker

Russell Stover Chocolates

Smart Insurance

Solomon State Bank

Sonic Drive In

Stan Foltz 

Steve & Glenda Schmidt in memory of Lowell K. Schmidt, WWII Veteran

The Teck Shop

Tim & Kathy Horan

Tom & Janet Whitehair

UMB Bank

West's Plaza Country Mart

William & Phyllis Peterson

 Donation form

From Henry B. Jameson's Heroes by the Dozen 

Abilene - Cattle Days to President Ike

The All-American City of 1960

The slogan "Biggest Little City" in the midwest is a most appropriate one for modern Abilene, which strikes strangers as being a considerably larger city than the 7,200 population counted by the assessors. Its tree-lined streets, fine homes, skyline, consolidated business district without the old fashioned town square, and many unusual attraction reflect the metropolitan atmosphere....

...One of Abilene's greatest modern achievements and advancements was in the field of tourist business development. The Chamber of Commerce in 1960-61 recognized this as a major industry as Abilene attained the exalted rank of the outstanding tourist attraction in the state of Kansas. It is featured as such on all maps and travel guides, and was one of ten cities chosen for special recognition in the formal opening ceremonies of the Kansas Centennial celebration in Topeka on January 29, 1961.

As the home town of President Eisenhower, Abilene, through the cooperative efforts of many groups, endeavored to make the most of its enviable position - but without ever infringing upon Ike personally or the dignity of his office. The city park was renamed Eisenhower Park while he was still a soldier and before he was pushed into the political picture. A move was started early in 1961 to rename Buckeye avenue to Eisenhower Boulevard. The great Eisenhower Center, now covering a beautifully landscaped 13-acre tract, started with the opening of the family home to the public as a national shrine. Then the Eisenhower Museum and finally the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

They attract thousands of visitors a year from all over the world and the number is increasing all the time. These visitors represent all fifty states, of course, and virtually every foreign country in the world. They spend money in Abilene - it is estimated that every new tourist dollar turns over six to eight times before it is banked.

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Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is closed. Check archives.gov for details.