|
<br />~.. "-'w~~r~" - .,.'.""" ' . -~..,.,,~~~'.,j-,T,' PIN~]!¡;,
<br />. /' <;-,~~:.;,~~ .'
<br />'. .. \ . (,'>' .::'_." . ., --
<br />"-~r'-¡ ';'ce...,.!,;, ," -<I . , I~..ITlllTT . .~. ..'
<br />'--,t, ., :,,~~11.l"..".::œ;.b:-..'llE'L....";;-,",",'. .1.,;.1,," .fb:~' 7-'.','.......-..-."...:'1,~",J"., il 1;;.~.-':~.2
<br />-' ""1 :,¡,i.'1:í,.;:",'.."'¡;;;;:'~-_":";""'~""'" ;
<br />. . ~'" .:c ~. ".-'I'~""::~¡;¡-c:......::-.JI"~.~
<br />- - iJ<-n. .......~- 'ro.1 ,:~~::;::""_'--,!! ,======.
<br />
<br />THE CITY
<br />
<br />The City of Abilene, Texas is located near the
<br />geographic center of the state and is
<br />approximately 150 miles west of Fort Worth.
<br />This City of 116,000 people is the center of a
<br />twenty-two county area. Abilene is the
<br />economic, medical, cultural, educational and
<br />banking hub for this large area of West Texas,
<br />;\l>ilenians arc proud of their cEstincti\'e
<br />American \'Vest heritage co-existing wid,
<br />modem technological ad,-ances.
<br />
<br />The City of Abilene traces its roots to the
<br />arri,'al of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in
<br />1881. It began as a ranching and agricultural
<br />center and grew steadily throughout the first
<br />half of the twentieth century. The area's
<br />economy di\'ersified into oil, light
<br />manufacturing, ser\'ice businesses and the
<br />military,
<br />
<br />
<br />The largest employer in the City today is
<br />Dyess Air Force Base, the home of the B-1
<br />bomber and an air transport command of
<br />C-13a air cargo planes, Other large employers
<br />include the Abilene Independent School
<br />District, the City of Abilene, Hendrick
<br />!\Icdical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield and
<br />several state agencies, Additionally, Abilene is
<br />tlie center for a thriving and well-developed
<br />livestock industry.
<br />
<br />Over the years, the City has become a center
<br />for higher education, It is the home to three
<br />church-affiliated four-year universities:
<br />Abilene Christian University, Hardin-
<br />Simmons University and McMurry University,
<br />In addition, Cisco Junior College and the
<br />Texas State Technical College offer a well-
<br />rounded curriculum of courses. Texas Tech
<br />University will open the "Center for
<br />Excellence" in engineering graduate studies
<br />and research in the Fall 2002 - another
<br />example of Abilene's appeal to the education
<br />industry,
<br />
<br />Citizens of Abilene enjoy excellent medical
<br />care and schools, The City is well served
<br />medically by the aforementioned Hendrick
<br />J\ledical Center and Abilene Regional Medical
<br />Center. The Texas Education Agency
<br />awarded the Abilene Independent School
<br />District "Recognized School District" status
<br />and d,e \'<;'ylie Independent School District
<br />"Exemplary School District" status.
<br />
<br />Abilene provides a wide range of cultural
<br />activities including ballet, a philharmonic
<br />orchestra, opera, live theater, and several high
<br />quality museums, Venues include the Abilene
<br />Civic Center which hosts conventions,
<br />various shows, banquets and special events;
<br />the Paramount Theater, which is listed on the
<br />National Register of Historic Places; and the
<br />Taylor County Exposition Center, one of the
<br />most outstanding equestrian centers in the
<br />southwest Citizens also benefit from the
<br />variety of educational and cultural activities
<br />sponsored by the universities and colleges.
<br />There are a munber of community-wide
<br />celebrations and festivals such as the
<br />downtown monthly Artwalk, Celebrate
<br />Abilene, the Festival of the Americas, the
<br />Dyess Air Force Base Open House, the
<br />Western Heritage Classic in May and the West
<br />Texas Fair and Rodeo in the fall,
<br />
|