Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad In 1993, two Abilene railfans, Joe Minick and Fred Schmidt, had an idea. The tracks of the bankrupt Rock Island Railroad that run through Dickinson County were about to be taken out by the Union Pacific, the monolithic railroad company that absorbed the assets of the Rock Island's successor, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. Determined to preserve Rock Isla...
On the night of June 11th, 2008, at 10:20pm, a category F-3 tornado at least a half-mile wide devastated the small town of Chapman, Kansas. It left one person dead and created an estimated $70 million in damage. Nearly 70 homes, including the town’s two churches, a funeral home, the elementary, middle and high schools were reduced to rubble....
Kansas is known far and wide for its storied history of big buffalo, but one “buffalo” will be remembered for entirely different reasons – a smallmouth buffalo, that is. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Topeka resident, Thayne Miller, has just set the new Kansas state record for the largest smallmouth buffalo caught in Kansas. The fish, which weighed 64.75 pounds, me...
Employees of Memorial Health System (MHS) wore blue jeans at work, in May, for a “Jeans Day” fundraiser. Employees who made a donation of at least $5 were allowed to wear blue jeans on Fridays in May. A total donation of $680 was presented to Cooper Holloway and his family. In May of 2013, Cooper was diagnosed with a Common Variable Immune Disease, which makes it hard for his body to fight off...
For the third year in a row, TravelAwaits readers selected Abilene as the “Best Small Town to Visit in the U.S.” in the Best of Travel Awards. The recent announcement joins Abilene's long list of accolades, including Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY, Top 10 True Western Town of the Year by True West Magazine, and Destination of the Year by the Midwest Travel Network. Abilene is historical...
IMPORTANT SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: TRAINS WILL RUN THIS WEEKEND BUT WITHOUT STEAM POWER. Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad passengers who planned to ride on trains powered by Santa Fe 3415, the railroad’s 104 year-old steam locomotive, will have two wait for TWO WEEKS. The engine, which undergoes rigorous annual inspections and maintenance, wa...
This weekend as many families venture out to decorate graves in honor of Memorial Day, one family is celebrating its heritage in a different fashion. The great-great-grandson of Abilene founders Timothy & Eliza Hersey recently visited Abilene. And, thanks to the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Assistant Sharolyn Adams, he and his new bride enjoyed a small and special wedd...
The annual Symphony at Sunset D-Day Commemoration Concert will be held June 3, 2023, on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan. This outdoor event will feature live music from the Salina Symphony, the Fort Riley 1st Infantry Division Band, and local band Everyday Lights. Free entry into the museum will begin at 10 a.m., food vendors and educational activities...
The lead role has been cast in a movie which will be shot in North Central Kansas this summer. The producers of Sod and Stubble have selected actor Bailey Chase for lead role of pioneer Henry Ise. Chase is most recognized from the role of Branch Connally in the series Longmire. Chase will join other veteran actors in the movie cast including: Dodie Brown (Grumpy Old Santa, American Horror St...
Retired Mail Carrier Ellie Cauthon visits with KABI Wake Up Call Host John Anderson about the Letter Carrier’s Food Drive this Saturday....
Sports News
Pictured is Levi Evans, picture courtesy of Brad Anderson ABILENE: The Wamego Red Raiders pulled...
October 24, 2025 Comments
