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Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden
by Kansas Department of Transportation
Abilene is well known for its historical roots as it is the former home of five-star General and 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The large white home that Eisenhower grew up in is administered by the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA). This historical home is now part of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home and named one of the top Kansas attractions by USA Today.
But did you know Abilene also has another hidden gem dedicated to him?
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Ocean-to-Ocean team to drive Model T's across the US in 30 days
The 2019 Ocean-to-Ocean Rerun team is gearing up for its cross-country venture beginning June 15th. The members of the Ocean-to-Ocean team love automotive history and don't mind life in the slow lane. In fact, they plan to spend 30 days in the non-passing lane when they drive their Ford Model T's from Tarrytown, NY to Seattle, Washington.
The route will cover 4000 miles in 11 states. Unlike many rare auto collectors, this group drives their cars rather than allowing them to become expensive dust collectors. Driving in a Model T allows drivers and passengers to enjoy the great outdoors - all of it. There is no heat or air conditioning in the cars and many of them will be running with the tops down in order to maintain "running" speed of 40 miles an hour.
Maintenance is also a huge concern for the Model T's many of which are over a 100 years old with original wooden bodies. Drivers will have more than just the local landscape to consider as they need to keep a keen eye on the many maintenance items that have to be addressed every day. A Model T gas tank located securely under the front seat will hold 10 gallons and cover 175 miles. Oil levels, gas levels, tire pressure and water levels in the radiator must be checked regularly. Changing tires means manually removing the tire and tube from the rim. It also has to be replaced with hand strength.
There will be 35 Model T owners from several countries. Milt Roorda will be driving a 1909 Model T which will be oldest one in the group.
Morris Dillow and his co-chairman Jon Greisenbeck of Virginia are anticipating a wonderful historic endurance run of the 110th anniversary of the original race. Their love of driving and appreciation for history led them to organize the 2019 Ocean to Ocean Rerun, a re-enactment of America's first transcontinental automobile race, the 1909 Ocean-to-Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest which started in
New York City
on June 1, 1909 with the first competitor reaching
Seattle
22 days later. T
he first place prize was $2000 which is worth $55,288 in 2019.
"Henry Ford was true marketing guy who knew he had to prove the durability of his cars. This event created an ideal opportunity to show the Model T was affordable and more reliable than any of his competitor's cars," said Dillow. "There were very few paved roads west of the Mississippi River in 1909. Competitors faced running out of gas, fires, getting lost, axle deep mud and even quicksand. Ford heavily advertised the race results after Model T was first to cross the finish line after 23 days. As a result, it became the worlds' best-selling car in the first half of the 20th century," added Dillow.
Schedule:
- June 15 - Start from Tarrytown, New York
- June 16 - Poughkeepsie, New York
- June 17 - Utica, New York
- June 18 - Hamburg, New York
- June 19 - Streetsboro, Ohio
- June 20 -, 21st, 22nd, Detroit
- June 23 - Mishawaka
- June 24 - Bloomington, Il
- June 25 - Hanibal, Mo
- June 26 & 27 - Olathe, Kansas
- June 28 - Abilene, Kansas
- June 29 - Goodland, Kansas
- June 30 - July 1st, Fort Morgan, Co
- July 2 - Rawkins, Wy
- July 3 - Rock Springs, Wy
- July 4 - Montpelier, Id
- July 5&6 - Pocatello, Id
- July 7 - Twin Falls
- July 8 - Onterio, Ok
- July 9 - Pendleton, Ore
- July 10 - Yakima, Wash
- July 11 - Snoqualmie, Wash
- July 12 &13 - Bellure, Wash
The finish will be at Drumheller Fountain on July 13 in Seattle, Washington.
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Abilene Likes Ike
With nearly 250 We Like Ike signs sold, Abilene showed veterans, visitors and residents alike their patriotic support in the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau's D-Day Commemoration contest.
Sponsored by
Holm Automotive Center, businesses and residences were encouraged to purchase a We Like Ike sign to place in their yard or windows and decorate with a patriotic display.
There were two categories for participation: 1) Buckeye Avenue and the historic downtown district and
2.) everywhere else within Abilene City Limits.
Mary Jean Eisenhower, the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, served as the contest judge.
"Thank you to everyone for participating," said Eisenhower. "With so many beautiful displays of patriotism, it was difficult to pick the winners."
Category 1 Winners:
- First Place: 209 W 1st, Joe Snuffy's ($500)
- Second Place: 217 W 1st Street, REABILENE, LLC / Sarah Wilson ($250)
- Third Place: 302 N Broadway, Amanda's Bakery & Bistro ($100)
Category 2 Winners:
- First Place: 904 Cedar, Denis & Janice Spillane ($250)
- Second Place: 203 NW 15th, The Abilene Group - Waddell & Reed ($100)
- Third Place: 820 NW 3rd St, Abilene's Victorian Inn ($50)
Special Mention:
- Astra Bank, 207 Eagle Drive
- BillDee, Inc., 2434 HWY 15
We encourage everyone to leave their displays up throughout the summer.
Thank you for participating!
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New Monuments Honor Former Historic Homes
Memorial Art Company recently placed two new memorials honoring the site of both the former Kirby House and the McCoy House. See the memorial at 205 NE 3rd Street in downtown Abilene.
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D-Day remembered in Abilene, stories shared
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Click image to view video.
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Moments in time, captured and held tight, commemorating a day in history that changed our country, and our world.
"We're glad to be here. Glad to be able to be here. Glad I'm still alive to be here," says Thomas Dixon and Ralph Lentz.
Thomas Dixon and Ralph Lentz remember vividly where they were 75 years ago, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy.
"I was in high school. They dropped the bomb in Japan and I thought will I be out of high school before this is over? I kept hoping it would be over before I got out but it wasn't."
General Dwight D Eisenhower led the charge that day. His proud granddaughter, took a moment to remember.
"It, shall we say, shaped my grandfather for the rest of his life. I think the special part about this particular celebration is that it's here in Abilene. Abilene never left his heart no matter where he was in the world," says Mary Jean Eisenhower.
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Throwback Thursday - Great Plains Theatre
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The Salina Journal, June 23, 1995
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5 Star Reviews -
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
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Ike Deals
Our partners at the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce have special deals for residents and visitors at member businesses. Check them out online >
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Share your news!
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to
[email protected].
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ATTRACTION & EVENT UPDATES
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Great Plains Theatre
Our first show of the season kicks off on June 14 with Pirates Of Penzance. Get your tickets now!
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is one of the most beloved Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. A ridiculous premise provides many opportunities for rambunctious physical comedy and a delightful score. Winner of the 1981 Tony award and made into a popular film version with Linda Rondstadt and Kevin Kline.
Rated PG
Individual Tickets for all 6 shows are on sale now! Advance tickets are $35, tickets purchased at the door are $37.50, and Thursday Theatre tickets are $20.
Showtimes:
Friday, June 14 @ 7:30 PM (Follow by Afterglow)
Saturday, June 15 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 16 @ 2:00 PM
Tuesday, June 18 @ 2:00 PM
Wednesday, June 19 @ 2:00 PM
Thursday, June 20 @ 7:30 PM
Friday, June 21 @ 7:30 PM (Followed by Cabaret)
Saturday, June 22 @ 7:30 PM
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2019 marks 150 years since the City of Abilene's official incorporation. Community events make Abilene not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit. Make plans now to visit Abilene, Kansas and enjoy these great events!
Take the Abilene Event Challenge - how many can you attend? Snap a photo and tag us in your Facebook posts @VisitAbilene.
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EVENT
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WHEN
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LOCATION
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LEARN MORE
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| Pirates of Penzance |
June 14-23 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| Heart of America Greyhound Gathering |
June 20-22 |
Sterl Hall |
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| Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) |
Saturday, June 22 @ 6:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive) |
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| Disaster! |
July 12-21 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration |
July 4 |
Eisenhower Park |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Thursday, July 4 @10 am & 2 pm
Friday, July 5 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Saturday, July 6 @10 am & 2 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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| Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse |
Saturday, July 6 @ 6:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive) |
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| Historic Home & Barn Tour |
Saturday, July 13 @ 12:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
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Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3
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Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
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Central Kansas Free Fair
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Wednesday, July 31 - Monday, August 5
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Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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August 2-18 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo |
August 2-3 |
Shockey & Landes Building |
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| Vintage Base Ball Game |
Saturday, August 3 |
Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds |
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| Historic Home & Barn Tour |
Saturday, August 10 @ 12:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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| Christian Motorcyclists Association State Rally |
Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18 |
Dickinson County Fairgrounds / Sterl Hall |
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| Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) |
Saturday, August 31 @ 6:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive) |
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| Chisholm Trail Days |
Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1 |
Old Abilene Town |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Saturday, August 31 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, September 1 @ 2 pm
Monday, September 2 @ 10 am & 2 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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| Historic Home & Barn Tour |
Saturday, September 14 @ 12:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Hitching Post Restaurant)
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Saturday, September 14 @ 6 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive) |
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| Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) |
Saturday, September 28 @ 6 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive) |
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| Reitz & Rust Flavors of Fall Market |
Saturday, October 5 10 am - 4pm |
Dickinson County Fairgrounds
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| Heritage Day |
Saturday, October 5 |
Dickinson County Heritage Center |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Saturday, October 5 @ 10 am - 3 pm (hourly departures)
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Dickinson County Heritage Center |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Sunday, October 6 @ 2 pm (last steam run of the year)
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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| Historic Home & Barn Tour |
Saturday, October 12 @ 12:30 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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| Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse |
Saturday, October 12 @ 6 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive) |
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| National Greyhound Association's Fall Meet |
Monday, October 14 - Saturday, October 19 |
National Greyhound Association |
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| Empires Fall |
October 18-27 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) |
Saturday, October 26 @ 6 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive) |
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| Tombstone Talks |
Saturday, October 26 |
Abilene Cemetery |
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| Makin' Magic - 25 Years of Fun |
November 29 - December 15 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| Abilene's Victorian Inn Christmas Afternoon Tea |
Saturday, December 7 |
Abilene's Victorian Inn |
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| Heritage Homes Association's Homes for the Holidays Tour |
Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8 |
Varies each year |
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| Night of Christmas Magic |
Saturday, December 7 |
Downtown Abilene |
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About us
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
is the marketing arm of the City of Abilene and provides services to tourists and groups convening in Abilene.
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