Abilene, Texas

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Abilene, Texas, USA
Official flag of Abilene, Texas, USA
Flag
Official seal of Abilene, Texas, USA
Seal
Nickname: "The Friendly Frontier"
Location within the state of Texas
Location within the state of Texas
County Taylor County
Mayor Norm Archibald
Area  
 - City 286.5 km²
 - Land 272.3 km²
 - Water 14.2 km²
Population  
 - City (2000) 115,930 (city proper)
 - Density 425.8/km²
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Website: http://www.abilenetx.com/

Abilene is a city in Taylor County, Texas, United States, at the eastern border of West Texas. The population was 115,930 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Taylor County GR6. Dyess Air Force Base is located to the west of the city.

Abilene is located off Interstate 20, between exits 279 on its western edge and 292 on the east. Abilene is 150 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas The city is looped by I-20 to the north, US 277/83 on the west, and FM 322 to the east. A railroad divides the city down the center into north and south. The downtown area is on the north side of the railroad.

The newest parts of the city seem to be growing to the southwest and south following US 83/84 and in the northeast at I-20 and SH 351. There are two lakes in the city, one on the western edge of Abilene Regional Airport, and the other on the southeast corner of US-83/84 & FM 322 interchange.

Downtown Abilene, Texas
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Downtown Abilene, Texas

Contents

[edit] History

Established by cattlemen as a stock shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, the city was named after Abilene, Kansas; the original endpoint for the Chisholm Trail. The city later became a major cattle-producing area with diversified farming. In recent years, petroleum has added great impetus to the city's economy. By 1900, 3,411 people lived in Abilene. When the city celebrated its centennial in 1981, the city set up a demonstration oil-drilling rig on the county fairgrounds just to illustrate the techniques of "making hole". By pure accident, it struck oil, not much - but enough for modest profitable production.

Abilene is the commercial, retail, medical, and transportation hub of a 19-county area known both as "The Big Country" and the "Texas Midwest". By the end of 2005, commercial and residential development had reached record levels in and around the city, enhancing a true urban environment and providing most of the amenities of much larger metropolitan areas.


[edit] Geography

Abilene is located at 32°26′47″N, 99°44′44″W (32.446425, -99.745482)GR1, 160 miles (257 km) west by south of Fort Worth.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 286.5 km² (110.6 mi²). 272.3 km² (105.1 mi²) of it is land and 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²) of it (4.95%) is water.

Abilene, Texas (Hwy 80)
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Abilene, Texas (Hwy 80)

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 115,930 people, 41,570 households, and 28,101 families residing in the city. The population density was 425.8/km² (1,102.7/mi²). There were 45,618 housing units at an average density of 167.5/km² (433.9/mi²). The ethnic makeup of the city was 78.07% White, 8.81% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.73% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.45% of the population.

There were 41,570 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 41,570 households, 1,709 are unmarried partner households: 1,577 heterosexual, 62 same-sex male, and 70 same-sex female households. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 15.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,007, and the median income for a family was $40,028. Males had a median income of $28,078 versus $20,918 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,577. About 10.9% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Culture

The cultural aspects of Abilene center around an mix of the three religiously affiliated private universities: Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, the Abilene Campus of Cisco Junior College, a West Texas campus of Texas State Technical College, American Commercial College , the agriculture community of the surrounding area, and the numerous affluent evangelical churches present.

Abilene is also home to the restored Paramount Theater, The Abilene Philharmonic Association, the Grace Cultural Museum, the Center for Contemporary Arts, The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, The Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas, the 87th Armored Division Museum, Taylor County Coliseum, five libraries, twenty-six public parks, six television stations and an ever variable number of radio stations, including one National Public Radio Station (89.7 KACU).

The city's main newspaper is the Abilene Reporter-News.

The Enterprise
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The Enterprise

[edit] Facts

Abilene has one of the only competing and performing jump rope teams in the area, known as the "Jammin' Jumpers". They formed in 1996 and have been to the National Jump Rope Championships in Walt Disney World 3 times: in 2001, 2003, and 2005.

Abilene also ranked as the 17th city in the nation for high education in September/October of 2006. Abilene has two school districs within the city limits, the Abilene ISD, and Wylie ISD (WISD). They are referred to as the WAISD.

[edit] Abilene Independent School District (AISD):

[edit] 02 early childhood centers (along with many pre-schools):

  • Locust Early Childhood
  • Woodson Early Childhoo

Mike Standly Pga tour winner of pgatour event Freeport mcmoran New Orleans PGA tour School winner Adams Tight lies winner

[edit] 17 open elementary schools (all K-5):

  • Alta Vista Elemntary (CLOSED)
  • Austin Elementary
  • Bassetti Elementary
  • Bonham Elementary
  • Bowie Elementary
  • Colledge Heights Elementary
  • Crocket Elementary (CLOSED)
  • Dyess Elementary
  • Fannin Elementary
  • Jackson Elementary
  • Johnston Elementary
  • Jones Elementary
  • Lee Elementary
  • Long Elementary
  • Ortíz Elementary
  • Reagan Elementary
  • Taylor Elementary
  • Thomas Elementary
  • Ward Elementary

[edit] 04 open middle schools(all 6-8)

  • Clack Middle School
  • Craig Middle School
  • Franklin Middle School (CLOSED)
  • Mann Middle School
  • Jefferson Middle School (CLOSED)
  • Lincoln Middle School (CLOSED)
  • Madison Middle School

[edit] 02 high schools(both 9-12):

  • Abilene High School
  • Cooper High School

[edit] 03 voluntary alternative schools for at-risk children:

  • Eagle Charter
  • Woodson Center for Excellence (9-12)
  • Project Pass

[edit] Wylie Independnt School District (WISD):

  • Wylie Elementary School (K-1)
  • Butterfield (2)
  • Wylie Intermediate School (3-4)
  • Wylie Middle school (5-6)
  • Wylie Junior High (7-8)
  • Wylie High School (9-12)

[edit] Mascots

  • Eagle (Abilene HS)
  • Cardinal (Clack MS)
  • Cougar (Cooper HS)
  • Crab [Rumored] (Craig MS)
  • Mustang (Franklin MS)
  • Coyote (Jefferson MS)
  • Longhorn (Lincoln MS)
  • Bison (Madison MS)
  • Falcon (Mann MS)

[edit] Events

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo, ten days in mid-Sept., features exhibits and amusements reflecting early days of Abilene, plus modern attractions of West Texas.

The Western heritage classic in early May features ranch rodeo, campfire cook-off, sheep dog trails, farrier competition, Cowboy Poets Society, Western art show and many other activities.

The first weekend in April features Celebrate Abilene, an outdoor festival held in the historic downtown area bringing the arts, history, railroad and family entertainment.

On every second Thursday evening of the month, Artwalk is held in downtown Abilene. During Artwalk all the local museums are free, the Paramount theater shows a "Art Film", local musicians and performers busk, and several crafters and artists set up booths and sell their wares.

There are also several special interest conventions, festivals, and shows scattered throughout the year including: The Abilene Gem and Mineral Show, the West Texas Book and Author Festival, The Abilene Gun and Knife Show, The Friends of the Abilene Public Library Book Sale, and The Erinshire Folk Festival.

The Erinshire Folk Festival is an annual event started in 2003 and is held at Erinshire Gardens. The purpose of the festival is to spotlight Abilene area musicians and original music.

Considerably more popular than the Erinshire folk festival is the annual "Cruise Night" parade of classic and modern sports cars held each September.

Also of note is the annual Abilene High vs. Abilene Cooper High football game, usually held near Halloween. The two high schools often play each other to a close and exciting game, usually decided by two touchdowns or less. Two of these, the 2001 and 2002 games, were for the district championship and were known as the "Showdown at Shotwell" games, because the game is played at Shotwell Stadium.

Abilene, Texas
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Abilene, Texas

[edit] Famous People from Abilene

  • Aaron Watson graduate of Abilene Christian University now recording artist/ country singer.
  • Jonathan Johnson AHS graduate and current 800m state record holder--now olympic qualifying professional mid-distance runner
  • Curtis Potter, Texas country music regional star with several top 100 country songs
  • Terry Berry, "Short shorts" (deceased)
  • Jamison Priest, folk/Americana trio, singers and songwriters
  • Clint Norris, bassist and back-up vocalist for the Christian metal band As I Lay Dying.
  • Bob Estes, PGA golfer
  • Carol Hall, composer/lyricist
  • Cris Judd, married Jennifer Lopez
  • John Lackey, MLB pitcher
  • Caryl Mack Parker, country singer
  • Gary Perkins, radio broadcaster
  • Dominic Rhodes, running back for the Indianapolis Colts
  • Justin Snow, long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts
  • Diane Stanley, children's book author
  • Hollis Thomas, NFL defensive tackle
  • Terry Orr, former running back of the Washington Redskins
  • Randall "Tex" Cobb, Prize fighter, and actor, (Raising Arizona)
  • Lee Roy Parnell, Country Musician
  • Shae D'Lyn, Actress, (Dharma & Greg)
  • Ty O'Neal, Rodeo cowboy, actor (The Mighty Ducks sequels)
  • Coby Archa, Survivor cast member
  • Duane Whitaker, Actor, (The Devil's Rejects)
  • Deirdre Lovejoy, Actress, (The Talented Mr. Ripley)
  • Roy Crane, Nationally syndicated cartoonist, (Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy, Buz Sawyer)
  • J-Rod Hardegree, Lead guitarist for the band Plainview
  • Stedman Graham, Hardin-Simmons University ex-basketball player and motivational speaker (longtime boyfriend of Oprah Winfrey)
  • Nelson Coats, Abilene Christian University, Film production designer ("Kiss the Girls" and "Runaway Jury")
  • Randy Brewer, Abilene Christian University, Multiple-Dove Award nominee for Short Form Video of the Year. Won Dove Award for producing video for Nicole C. Mullen's "Call on Jesus."
  • J.B Cook, Writer-Co-producer of Fox sitcom "King of the Hill"; Contributing producer/writer, "My Name is Earl."
  • H.C Zachry, Famous Artist,illustrator. Known mostly for his western art.
  • Gary Stricklin, Sportscasting Legend, not originally from Abilene, but it is still home.
  • Bonnie Curtis, Abilene Christian University, Assistant to film director Steven Spielberg-turned film producer (Minority Report," AI: Artificial Intelligence," "Saving Private Ryan."
  • Carol Hall, songwriter, Wrote music for broadway hit, "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."
  • Paige Moss, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Beverly Hills 90210."
  • Fess Parker, Hardin-Simmons University. Played football at HSU before transferring to University of Texas. Starred in TV series Daniel Boone (1964-1970).
  • Jess Cagle, Writer for "Entertainment Weekly", "Time"
  • Max Lucado, Abilene Christian University. Christian author/ preacher/broadcaster.
  • Maj. Gen. William O. Senter, Abilene. Attended West Point
  • Brown Bannister, Abilene Christian University graduate, music producer in Nashville. Winner of numerous Dove Awards given by the Gospel Music Association for his work on contemporary Christian recordings by Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and other artists.
  • Chris Christian, Contemporary Christian singer, had a No. 37 pop single in 1981 with I Want You, I Need You.
  • Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Hits include All the Gold in California, Houston.
  • Ray Berry, Cooper High School. Played for Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks 1987-93. Played at Baylor University. Linebacker.
  • Charles Coody, Stamford and Abilene, professional golfer since 1963. Won the Masters in 1971. Owns Diamondback Golf Course in Abilene. Twelve victories on the Professional Golfers Association tour.
  • Nathan Monroe, Famous for having several entries in the world's most respected quote anthologies, listed simply as "Monroe." He is currently a world-renowned English teacher at Abilene High School.
  • Mason Williams, guitarist and composer
  • Robert E. Page, conductor
  • Ann Wedgewood, actress
  • JM Lapham, musician, The Earlies, The Late Cord

[edit] Newspapers & Media

[edit] Colleges & Universities

[edit] External links

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