I grew up in Abilene, and they used to call it the Key City, as in the key, or gateway to the west. They called the Big Country and then The Friendly Frontier after that. It isn't very "western" in comparison to Odessa (Slowdeatha-the Big OD-I love the nicknames cities, and their rival neighboring cities, give each other) or Midland, but a trip to the museums and Old Settlers Grounds at Buffalo Gap, the original county seat, is an awesome step back in time. The little rolling hills and trees of Abilene State Park are such a contrast to the rest of the area. It has it's own beauty, as does the entire state. The lakes around Abilene are another story. Lake Fort Phantom is rich in history and legend, but ugly as a spilled can of tomato soup. My hubby, from Michigan, laughed himself silly over the ugly little lake, but a short hop to Brownwood, or Possum Kingdom, and there are pretty lakes to fish in and ski on.

http://www.uncommondays.com/states/tx/places/buffalogap.htm

http://www.txroadrunners.com/adventures/westtx2003/westtx2003a.htm

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

And the new Frontier Texas  Museum

West Texas, The Wild West, at one time the edge of civilization, where Indians and Outlaws roamed freely and the only law was a six-gun. This area was so wild and intense that a series of Forts were built to protect citizens that were trying to live in the region. Those same Forts still exist today, some restored and some in ruins but the history permeates West Texas.

Abilene is a hub for the area and blends the old with the new. Places like Frontier Texas, Buffalo Gap Historic Village, Fort Phantom, Fort Concho and Fort Chadbourne bring the old west back to life. In addition to the observation runs make sure to bring your camera and get some of the hard to find ABC’s of Touring like Zepher, Ovalo and Valera. Enjoy the wide-open spaces without the heavy traffic count. Ten minutes in every direction and you’re out of town and on your way to a West Texas adventure. From our Fort Trails Observation Run to our local attractions, you will love the Ride, the People and the old West Texas Hospitality.

Come join us May 18-20 at Taylor County Expo Center for the 2006 Texas State H.O.G. Rally and find out how the Wild frontier became the Friendly Frontier. For more details on the rally site, visit the rally detail page.

http://www.txstatehogrally.com/

I have lived in, and/or visited every area of Texas, plus loved teaching Texas History to a large group of wild and crazy 7th Graders, whom I taught to sing both Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldiers" and Kinky Friedman's "Ol Ben Lucas." I will be delighted to share a tale or two about this great state I love, as it comes up.

Y'all take care!

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I don't know of a Buffalo Soldiers cemetery in Abilene, but my guess would be San Angelo, since there was a regiment there. There are some graves dating back to the Civil War in the Old City Cemetery, and Sam Houston's daughter, Mary, is buried there.

They were expecting a boy, and were going to name him after Andrew Jackson. Instead, on April 9th, 1850, they got a chubby little girl with beautiful auburn hair. She schooled at Baylor Female Seminary and, after graduation, went to live with her sister, Nannie, in Georgetown. There she met her sister's husband's first cousin, John Simeon Morrow and fell in love. They were married on April 11th, 1871 and in 1885 moved to Abilene where John practiced law. She became postmistress of Abilene after her husband died and continued until 1911. She died on December 14, 1931 at the home of her daughter in Stanford. She is buried in Abilene beside her husband.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/mcardle/sanjac/sanjac030.html

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WHAT A GIFT.... Thanks all from the new gal and her kid livin' in Central Texas.  'Even started a football group here at Care2.  Probably can guess which college team that might be.  All are free to join. 

Again, this entire thread is great.

                      Mizz Robin  "Texas Longhorns" group.....

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