'Long overdue' monument to Eisenhower breaks ground this week

Photo courtesy of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.

by Beccy Tanner
Wichita Eagle

Nearly half a century after his death, Kansan Dwight D. Eisenhower is about to get national attention again.

Speeches, prayers and shovels will be raised in honor of the 34th president Thursday at a long-awaited groundbreaking for his memorial in Washington, D.C.

It has taken nearly 20 years to debate, fund, argue and approve the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial, which will be constructed near the National Mall at 400 Maryland Ave. S.W. at the foot of Capitol Hill and across the street from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It is expected to take 30 months to build.


Travelers to Have Additional Services in Abilene 


The 24/7 Travel Stores have been part of the Abilene Community since 1991 and enjoyed the success of the Community partnership. Mark Augustine, President of the 24/7 Travel Stores is proud to announce the growth of its facility. 

The new facility will be a 7800-square foot building. The growth adds 12-vehicle fueling stations, 4-Truck Islands with Card Readers, plus Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and an Arby's franchise. 

The store will include Large Touch Free Restrooms, the Great Plains Gift Co., State of the Art Coffee and Fountain Service, enhanced Convenience Store Products, Water/Beer Cave with Free Cold Refillable Water Bottle Fill, Safe Room for Travelers, Customer Seating Area with Free WIFI and Video Screens with Product, Weather, Community Information for Travelers.

Truck Drivers will have access to Shower and Laundry Service, a Truck Supply area and Truck Plug Ins for cold weather on the paved 20 stall truck parking area. 

Future Development-Phase II a Potential RV Park. 

The current facility will remain open throughout the construction process. The new building is being built behind the present one. The estimated construction completion is late Spring 2018.


Old Abilene Town Featured in True West




Tourism Tidbits...

  • Check out this new billboard at the Lucas/Wilson exit on I-70. Each day, nearly 13,000 cars pass this billboard promoting Abilene. 
  • Save the date! Night of Christmas Magic - Saturday, December 2.
  • Abilene's 41st annual Homes for the Holidays tour will be December 2 and 3. The selected homes will be announced on Friday, November 3. 
  • Do you follow AbileneKS on Instagram? The Weather Channel used our video of Tuesday's snow!
  • Kathy Lounsbury at the Greyhound Hall of Fame captured this beautiful photo of Tuesday's snow.

Photograph of Lease Duckwall (his name was Alva Lease Duckwall, e.g. A.L. Duckwall) in his Victrola or phonographs dept. at the "Rocket" store. Opened in 1907. Photo courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.
Throwback Thursday

1901 - A. L. Duckwall's first business was selling and repairing bicycles and sewing machines in Greenleaf, Kansas. On May 10, 1901, with a four hundred and thirteen-dollar investment, and a borrowed equal amount, he opened a small variety shop (Racket Store) in Abilene, Kansas. 

Its name originated from the tin peddler carts of old, whose pots and pans clanged and rattled on their hooks, creating a great racket as they were pushed through the streets. 

In 1915, a corporation was formed, which became "The A. L. Duckwall Stores Company". 

With the foundation, in 1999, there were 96 "Duckwall's Hometown Variety Stores" in 11 states operating under the Duckwall-Alco Stores, Inc. umbrella. Effective July 6, 2012 the "Duckwall" was dropped from the name.
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Bonus: Alco's former corporate office space was repurposed and is now home to Thunderstruck Bumpers and the Great Plains Teeatre!

Visit the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum's Facebook Page for more photos. 
Trip Advisor - Great Plains Theatre

Have you visited an Abilene business or attraction? Make sure to share your experience by leaving reviews.
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Santa Train

Date: Saturday, December 9 
Depart Time: 1:00 p.m. 
Ticket Price: $10.00 (All Ages) 
Location: Abilene Smoky Valley Train Depot 200 S.E. 5th St., Abilene 

Buy your tickets early! Seats are limited. The Abilene Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a holiday train ride with the Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad Association. Santa always enjoys the ride with everyone. He also enjoys seeing old and new faces. The train ride is approximately 45 minutes long. It travels from the historic Abilene Depot to one mile west of Enterprise and back. 

The passengers will ride in the enclosed heated car with Santa. 

Ms. Cheryl from the Abilene Children's Library will be aboard. 

Santa will be available to listen to your Christmas wish list and you may have your picture taken with him. 

You must pre-register for this train ride. There will be no tickets sold the day of the train ride! No exceptions! Register by calling: (785) 263-7266.

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Veterans Day Ceremony
November 11, 9:45 a.m.
Pylons
Hosted by local VFW / American Legion Chapters.


Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
Exhibit in the Museum Temporary Gallery until May 2018

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail, which brought nearly two million cattle from Texas to the railhead in Abilene, Kansas, between 1867 and 1871. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the square meal, the real McCoy, origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western in the Cowtown that raised a President!

Eisenhower and the Great War
Exhibit in the Upstairs Library Gallery until May 2018

War erupted in Europe in 1914 and soon involved nations around the globe. The Great War, as it became known, shocked the world with its massive scope and the industrial-like slaughter created by advances in military technology. The United States reluctantly joined the conflict in 1917 and began to build a large professional army from the ground up. One of the young officers who helped in this endeavor was a lieutenant by the name of Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower showed remarkable talent for organization and leadership during the years of American involvement in the war. Tasked with training thousands of inexperienced troops in the new and untested art of armored warfare, Eisenhower quickly built a strong and motivated group of soldiers while overcoming severe obstacles and setbacks. This exhibit tells the story of the Great War and its influence on Eisenhower's leadership abilities. World War I, as it would become known later in the century, proved critical to the making of this American Icon.

Great Plains Theatre 

Get Your Tickets Now!





Calendar of Events

DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
DETAILS
11/11/2017 Veterans Day Ceremonies Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum 10:30 a.m.
11/27/2017 - 12/31/2017 Seelye Mansion Christmas Tours Seelye Mansion Daily
12/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 Christmas Tree Lane

12/1/2017 - 12/10/2017 GPT Mainstage Production "Peter and the Starcatcher" Great Plains Theatre
12/2/2017 Night of Christmas Magic Downtown Abilene / Abilene Civic Center
12/3/2017 Abilene Municipal Band Holiday Concert Eisenhower Visitors Center 2:00 p.m.
12/2/2017 - 12/3/2017 Homes for the Holidays Tour

   
Stay in Abilene
Abilene Lodging Establishments

Abilene  is home to more than 200 rooms. Whether you're in town to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, enjoy a show at the Great Plains Theatre, attend the Central Kansas Free Fair, meet with greyhound industry leaders or take a ride on the  Abilene  & Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit, spend the night and enjoy all  Abilene  has to offer.
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