Historic Abilene Receives a $75,000 Attraction Development Grant!

By Madinah Hazim, Public Information Officer

Old Abilene Town, in Abilene, Kan., could become a travel destination for people around the world.

General Managers and Co-Founders of Historic Abilene, Inc. Garry Adam and Terry Tietjens said that one of their goals for Old Abilene Town is for it to become a travel destination.

"As co-founders our chief goal was not only to preserve brick and mortar, but also to revive and revisit the American legacy of our Kansas cowboy history," they said. "International travelers are looking for this type of experience. You haven't been to America until you have been to Abilene, Kansas."

Historic Abilene. was recently awarded a $75,000 Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to complete phase one of its renovation project. The grant was derived from Kansas Lottery proceeds.

Adam and Tietjens said they were very excited when they discovered that Historic Abilene, Inc. received the Attraction Development Grant.

"We were very pleased to receive the grant," Adam said. "It shows that the State is behind this program and the State supports what we are doing."

Adam and Tietjens want people to experience firsthand what it was like to live in Kansas in the "Wild West" days when they visit Old Abilene Town.

"We want to literally take people back to Abilene in the 1870s, during the cattle drive days," Tietjens said. "We will be taking you back in history. We want to make it a special experience for kids, as well as grown-ups."

Both Adam and Tietjens also believe that the location of Old Abilene Town will attract more visitors.

"The main corridor that runs through Kansas is I-70. Millions of vehicles travel past Abilene each year," they said. "Our feasibility study projects 200,000 visitors to the new Old Abilene Town in the first year. This park alone will create more than 100 full- and part-time jobs in addition to an estimated local economic impact of $5.9 million annually".

When people visit Old Abilene Town they will be able to participate in a number of activities. These activities include coach rides, gun fights, historic log cabin tours, a school house, Alamo Saloon, excursion train rides, a gift shop, and a wax museum.

According to Adam, the renovation is scheduled to be completed by May 2007. Nearly $20 million will be used to restore and expand Old Abilene Town.

"There are over 60 buildings and other site features encompassing a 20-acre site," Adam said.

Adam hopes the renovation of Old Abilene Town helps stimulate the local economy.

Adam not only sees this project as an economic development tool, but also as a preservation of history.

"We're preserving Kansas Cowboy history with this project," Adam said. " Old Abilene Town tells the story of who we were and how far we've come."

Adam was optimistic as he reflected on the project.

"The new Old Abilene Town will create a destination place of choice for domestic and international travelers alike," Adam said. "We look forward to partnering with local and regional attractions to support and encourage a spirit of cooperation and meaningful collaboration among Kansas businesses. Kansas is a great place to live and work. Whatever you want to do, Kansas will take you there."

Adam said that he applauds the leadership at the State level and very much appreciates their support and assistance on this project.

For more information on Old Abilene Town , visit its Web site at www.oldabilenetownks.com or call (785) 263-1868.

Somebody's always winning at the Kansas Lottery! Thanks to Lottery proceeds, economic development is growing in Kansas communities.

To read more economic development stories visit the economic development page .

For information regarding Kansas Lottery money distribution visit the where the money goes page.