Dickinson County, KS
During Dickinson county's early years, three log houses were adequate to create a town. A small simple structure or two were given a name, a corner of which was set apart as a post office. In many instances a limited inventory of staple tiems were stocked for sale to the sparse public. Quite often, the local blacksmith shapened plow shears and shod horses for his neighbors. Numberous such "towns" have disappeared without a trace and lie buried with the hopes of the promoters.
Dickinson county has no pre-Territorial history, as the first settlement that took place on Chapman Creek in 1855, and was made by a family named Lenon. Dickinson county, like most all other counties in Kansas, away from the bank of the Missouri River, suffered under that erroneous impression that it was a country unfit for human habitation, and as a consequence, settlers came in very slowly. At the time the county was organized, in 1857, there was not over a half dozen families in the county. The county was named after Daniel S. Dickinson, United States Senator from New York.
At that time, prior, and for some time following, the wide valley of the Smoky and the extensive level plains of the prairie formed the choice hunting grounds of the various Indian tribes located to the north, south, east and west of what is now Dickinson County. The country abounded in deer, elk, buffalo, antelope and all other kinds of wild game, and even for years after white settlement commenced, these kings of the prairie roamed the plains of Dickinson County in countless numbers.
Abilene established its reputation early as center for the cattle business where a railhead was established that shipped cattle herded up the western cattle trails from Texas to the eastern buyers. Although the cattle shipping monopoly ceased in 1871 when railroads extended south, the businesses built up during the ten years of booming trade continued to keep Abilene a top retail center in the county. Today, antiques and historical museums and collections make Abilene an interesting community to explore.
Herington and Enterprise welcome you to explore the history of their communities, as well, which developed from those similar "log cabin" towns, and have managed to grow into choice areas to visit and maybe "stake your claim!"
Explore Dickinson County
Greyhound Hall of Fame
Abilene, Kansas, also known as the Greyhound Capital of the nation, hosts the Greyhound Hall of Fame which offers the entire family a thorough and exciting introduction to the Greyhound, the sport, and its long and colorful history. The history of Greyhounds from 5,000
Abilene, KS Halls of FameFairgrounds Park
Fairgrounds Park, at the community's south end, has a miniature train for children to ride on summer evenings, along with baseball diamonds, playground, picnicking, and tennis courts. Nearby is the Railroad Museum, located in a historic baggage car.
Herington, KS RecreationSeelye Mansion and Museum
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the twenty-five room Georgian mansion was built in 1905 by A.B. Seelye, a patent medicine entrepreneur. Museum depicts turn-of-the-century medicine business.
Winner of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture!! Abilene, KS Famous HomesAbilene Civic Center
The restored 1928 U.P. Depot is home to the Kansas Visitor Information Center and 150 person meeting room.
History Of The Abilene Civic Center California architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed Abilene' Abilene, KS Historic BuildingsThe Heritage Center Museums
The Museum depicts life on the plains during the American pioneer movement & westward expansion periods. Exhibits include Indians, pioneers, railroad, agriculture, Victorian and cowtown eras.
Abilene, KS MuseumsEisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
Built by the Eisenhower Foundation, with funds raised through public gifts, the Eisenhower Museum is constructed of Kansas limestone. Originally dedicated on Veterans Day, 1954, the Museum was built to house the materials and objects related to Dwight D. Eisenhower's life. It contains over 30,000
Abilene, KS MuseumsCarnegie Library
The Herington Library built in 1918 is one of the original libraries built by funds contributed by Andrew Carnegie that is still operating as a library. In 1897, 10 years after Herington, Kansas was founded, the Women'
Herington, KS Carnegie LibrariesHerington Historical Museum
The Herington Historical Museum features photos of the town's history and artifacts from the community's earliest days. Learn about the history of area clubs and organizations and study church history.
Herington, KS MuseumsHerington Lakes
Herington has two city lakes just one mile apart, great for picnicking, boating, skiing, swimming. Along with trophy bass, the city lake is also the best small-lake walley fishing in the State of Kansas. There are full camping facilities with electric hook-ups, boat ramps, and swimming. The "old"
Herington, KS RecreationGreat Plains Theatre
"Kansas' premier professional theatre company", is housed in the Great Plains Theatre, a 100
Abilene, KS TheatresFather Padilla Park
Father Padilla Memorial Park features a monument to Juan Padilla, who was killed in 1542. The shaded park has picnic facilities, playground facilities, gazebo, tennis court, basketball, nine-hole disc golf course, and baseball diamonds. Admission to the park's WPA-built swimming pool is free.
Herington, KS Recreation