Abilene, Kansas

19th century

In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1857, Dickinson County was founded and Abilene began as a stage coach stop, established by Timothy Hersey and named Mud Creek. It was not until 1860 that it was named Abilene, from a passage in the Bible (Luke 3:1), meaning "grassy plains".^[2]

In 1867, the Kansas Pacific Railway (Union Pacific) pushed westward through Abilene. In the same year, Joseph G. McCoy purchased 250 acres of land north and east of Abilene, on which he built a hotel, the Drover's Cottage, stockyards equipped for 2,000 heads of cattle, and a stable for their horses. The Kansas Pacific put in a spur line at Abilene that enabled the cattle cars to be loaded and sent on to their destinations. The first twenty carloads left September 5, 1867, en route to Chicago, Illinois, where McCoy was familiar with the market.^[7] The town grew quickly and became the first "cow town" of the west.^[8]

McCoy encouraged Texas cattlemen to drive their herds to his stockyards. From 1867 to 1871, the Chisholm Trail ended in Abilene, bringing in many travelers and making Abilene one of the wildest towns in the west.^[9][10] The stockyards shipped 35,000 head in 1867 and became the largest stockyards west of Kansas City, Kansas. In 1871, more than 5,000 cowboys herded from 600,000 to 700,000 cows to Abilene and other Kansas railheads.^[2][11][12] Another source reports 440,200 head of cattle were shipped out of Abilene from 1867 to 1871.^[13] As railroads were built further south, the end of the Chisholm Trail was slowly moved south toward Caldwell, while Kansas homesteaders concerned with cattle ruining their farm crops moved the trail west toward and past Ellsworth.

Town marshal Tom "Bear River" Smith was initially successful policing Abilene, often using only his bare hands. He survived 2 assassination attempts, but was murdered and decapitated on November 2, 1870. Smith wounded one of his two attackers during the shootout preceding his death, and both suspects received life in prison for the offense.^[8] He was replaced as marshal by Wild Bill Hickok in April 1871.^[2] Hickok's time in the job was short. While the marshal was standing off a crowd during a street brawl, gambler Phil Coe took two shots at Hickok, who returned fire, killing Coe but Hickok then accidentally shot his friend and deputy, Mike Williams,^[14] who was coming to his aid. Hickok lost his job two months later in December.

In 1880, Conrad Lebold built the Lebold Mansion. Lebold was one of the early town developers and bankers from 1869 through 1889. The Hersey dugout can still be seen in the cellar. The house is now a private residence.^[15] A marker outside credits the name of the town being given by opening a Bible and using the first place name pointed to.

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles (4.8 km) west of Strong City) through Abilene to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the Santa Fe.

In 1890, Dr. A.B. Seelye founded the A.B. Seelye Medical Company. Seelye developed over 100 products for the company including "Wasa-Tusa",^{[16][failed verification]} an Indian name meaning to heal.

20th century

Abilene became home to Dwight D. Eisenhower when his family moved to Abilene from Denison, Texas in 1892. Eisenhower attended elementary school through high school in Abilene, graduating in 1909. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is the burial site of President Eisenhower, his wife, Mamie, and their first-born son Doud Dwight.^[17]

Climate

Located in the transition zone between North America's humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) and humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) zones, Abilene experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. In the spring, severe thunderstorms bring the threat of tornadoes and hail. The hottest temperature recorded in Abilene was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on July 13, 1954 and July 15, 1954, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 12, 1899.^[22]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 6,460 people, 2,797 households, and 1,675 families in Abilene.^[25][26] The population density was 1,356.6 per square mile (523.8/km²). There were 3,137 housing units at an average density of 658.8 per square mile (254.3/km²).^[26][27] The racial makeup was 91.93% (5,939) white or European American (89.52% non-Hispanic white), 0.87% (56) black or African-American, 0.36% (23) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.34% (22) Asian, 0.12% (8) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.47% (95) from other races, and 4.91% (317) from two or more races.^[28] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.65% (365) of the population.^[29]

Of the 2,797 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18; 44.7% were married couples living together; 30.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[26] The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.9.^[30] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 21.2% of the population.^[31]

23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males.^[26] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.9 males.^[26]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,829 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,161) and the median family income was $69,815 (+/- $11,480).^[32] Males had a median income of $36,933 (+/- $6,402) versus $21,540 (+/- $3,802) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,625 (+/- $4,869).^[33] Approximately, 4.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or over.^[34][35]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 6,844 people, 2,878 households, and 1,781 families residing in the city.^[36] The population density was 1,463.6 inhabitants per square mile (565.1/km²). There were 3,143 housing units at an average density of 671.6 per square mile (259.3/km²). The city's racial makeup was 94.9% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 1.1% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. 4.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[37]

There were 2,878 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33, and the average family size was 2.97.^[37]

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males age 18 and over.^[37]

The city's median household income was $48,115, and the median family income was $61,146. Males had a median income of $42,332 versus $29,325 for females. The city's per capita income was $21,820. About 7.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.^[37]

Print

Abilene has one daily newspaper, The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.^[42]

Radio

The following radio stations are licensed to Abilene:

AM

FM

Television

Abilene is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.^[49]