Abilene is a city in the center of western Texas, roughly 180 miles west of Dallas.http://www.abilenetx.com/index/Visitors.htm It was founded in 1881 as a stop along the Texas and Pacific Railway line and became the official seat of Taylor County in 1883.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/history.htm The railway industry is still important to the economic foundation of the city, along with the oil and cattle industries.http://www.abilenetx.com/index/Visitors.htm It is also home to Dyess Air Force Base, which employs almost 6,000 military and civilian personnel with an economic impact of more than $430 million annually.http://aif.developabilene.com/pdfs/community_profile.pdf

Abilene retains ties to its agricultural roots with a variety of events that celebrate the traditional Western lifestyle. The Western Heritage Classic combines a rodeo with events that celebrate the classic “cowboy” lifestyle.http://www.westernheritageclassic.com/About_WHC.htm The Taylor County Expo Center also hosts equestrian events throughout the year along with the annual West Texas Fair and Rodeo in September.http://www.abilenetx.com/index/Visitors.htm

Before the expansion of the American West in the late 19th century, Abilene was primarily inhabited by American Indians along with sporadic military personnel and occasional buffalo hunters and ranchers.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/history.htm This changed after the development of the Texas & Pacific Railway, which was created by a federal charter in 1871 and stretched from Texas to San Diego, California.http://www.marshalldepot.org/History.htm In 1880, a group of local ranchers and businessmen agreed to have the railroad go through their land, while establishing a city between the Cedar and Big Elm creeks.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/history.htm The town was named Abilene after a cattle town in Kansas, and established after more than 300 lots were purchased in a two-day auction which started on March 15, 1881.http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hda01

The city's growth in the 20th century was heavily influenced by the military. More than 1.5 million soldiers were stationed at the Camp Barkley post of the United States Army and the U.S. Air Force base at Tye during World War II.http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hda01 The Dyess Air Force base was opened in 1956 and has served as a missile silo along with as a base for B-52 aircraft and KC-135 aerial tankers.http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qbd03

Abilene has a total area of 105.1 square miles and sits at a latitude of 32.45 N and longitude of 99.75 W.http://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html Its elevation is 1,718 feet above sea level, and it is roughly 140 miles due west of Fort Worth, Texas.http://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html It receives 23.59 inches of rainfall each year.http://www.abilenetx.com/index/Visitors.htm In order to provide an adequate water supply for residents and the agricultural community, Lytle Lake, Lake Abilene, Lake Kirby and Lake Fort Phantom Hill have been excavated to provide municipal water sources.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/history.htm

• Frontier Texas!: A living history museum in downtown Abilene giving visitors the opportunity to experience what life was like in the frontier days between 1780 and 1880.http://www.abilenechamber.com/abilene-magazine/attractions.pdf
• National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Provides art exhibits featuring illustrations from classic children's books.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/
• The Grace Museum: Located in a four-story Mission Revival-style building, the Grace Museum is the 10th-largest museum in Texas and is listed in the National Historic Register.http://www.abilenechamber.com/abilene-magazine/attractions.pdf The site features exhibits on local history, Texas artwork and also features an interactive children's museum.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/
• Abilene Zoo: The 13-acre complex features exhibits showcasing wildlife from the local Texas plains along with animals from Africa.http://www.abilenetx.com/About/

• Jessica Simpson: Singer and actresshttp://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html
• Anthony Weaver: NFL playerhttp://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html
• Hollis Thomas: NFL playerhttp://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html
• John Lackey: MLB pitcherhttp://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html
• Danny Briggs: PGA Tour golferhttp://www.city-data.com/city/Abilene-Texas.html