The Abilene Preservation League held their Halloween fundraiser this past weekend. Haunted Abilene is an opportunity for folks to support the work of the Preservation League, learn a bit of Abilene history and have a little fun. You can check their website for information on the group and their work. This post chronicles the trolley ride.
First stop on this year's tour was a Witches' Ball. From the Swenson house, the trolleys carried folks to meet League volunteers dressed in the traditional black hats and garb associated with witches. Escaping the witches' lair the tour rolled by the Elk's Art Center where the ACU Swing Cats portrayed soldiers from Camp Barkeley circa 1943. Passing by Everman Park the group went by the Paramount Theater for an encounter with Boy Scouts from Troop 3 portraying a close encounter of the Abilene kind. Heading east the trolleys passed by the City cemetery for another bit of spookiness before heading back to the Swenson house for a creepy tour of the facility.
Along the way riders learned that Abilene, Texas, was named for the Kansas railroad and cattle town after the Texas and Pacific Railway agreed to make a stop at mile marker 407. On March 15, 1881 the first 300 lots were sold from what is now Everman Park. Residents voted in 1883 to incorporate the town. The location alongside the railway would eventually lead to the Taylor County seat being moved from Buffalo Gap.
During World War II the US Army developed a training camp about 11 miles southwest of Abilene. It was named Camp Barkeley. Recently the city opened a doggy section at Nelson Park. The dog park carries the name Camp Barkly. The US Army camp was named after David B. Barkley – the first Mexican-American to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor. David Barkley received this award posthumously for his bravery during World War I. Camp Barkeley was decommissioned in 1945.The Elks' Art Center (now owned by the Preservation League) served as the USO facility during WWII. Dances for the soldiers from Camp Barkeley were very popular.
The 12th Armored Division, which has a Museum on North 2nd street, was stationed at Camp Barkeley in 1943 before their service in Europe.
First stop on this year's tour was a Witches' Ball. From the Swenson house, the trolleys carried folks to meet League volunteers dressed in the traditional black hats and garb associated with witches. Escaping the witches' lair the tour rolled by the Elk's Art Center where the ACU Swing Cats portrayed soldiers from Camp Barkeley circa 1943. Passing by Everman Park the group went by the Paramount Theater for an encounter with Boy Scouts from Troop 3 portraying a close encounter of the Abilene kind. Heading east the trolleys passed by the City cemetery for another bit of spookiness before heading back to the Swenson house for a creepy tour of the facility.
Along the way riders learned that Abilene, Texas, was named for the Kansas railroad and cattle town after the Texas and Pacific Railway agreed to make a stop at mile marker 407. On March 15, 1881 the first 300 lots were sold from what is now Everman Park. Residents voted in 1883 to incorporate the town. The location alongside the railway would eventually lead to the Taylor County seat being moved from Buffalo Gap.
During World War II the US Army developed a training camp about 11 miles southwest of Abilene. It was named Camp Barkeley. Recently the city opened a doggy section at Nelson Park. The dog park carries the name Camp Barkly. The US Army camp was named after David B. Barkley – the first Mexican-American to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor. David Barkley received this award posthumously for his bravery during World War I. Camp Barkeley was decommissioned in 1945.The Elks' Art Center (now owned by the Preservation League) served as the USO facility during WWII. Dances for the soldiers from Camp Barkeley were very popular.
The 12th Armored Division, which has a Museum on North 2nd street, was stationed at Camp Barkeley in 1943 before their service in Europe.
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