Historic Abilene, Texas

Every city has a look and feel that informs how people respond to it. Visitors react to the skyline, clean streets, traffic patterns, and the like, while its citizens speak of civic pride, heritage, and spirit. This love of place illustrates the passions and values of the society that fosters it. The more people know about their hometown, the more they support it, love it, and keep it. The settlement that sprang up along the Texas and Pacific Railroad at milepost 407 is no exception: the West Texas city of Abilene. Abilene Landmarks, An Illustrated Tour, presents one hundred landmark buildings of Abilene, telling the history, hopes, and humanity of the community. From humble cottages to the first Hilton Hotel, and from railway depots to an air force base, Abilene’s unique contribution to the American story unfolds through the buildings that compose its cityscapes. State House Press, in partnership with the Preserve America initiative of the U.S. government, is proud to offer this beautifully-designed and bound book. It’s big: it measures 11 x 9½ inches in size, 240 pages on high-quality glossy paper, all sewn (not glued) together for lasting durability. The striking color photographs of Steve Butman are complemented by an introduction to the history of Abilene by Dr. Don Frazier. The text accompanying the photos was written by students at McMurry University in Abilene under the supervision of Frazier and his colleague Dr. Robert Pace. The result, we think, will be quickly recognized as a landmark book about the historic landmarks of Abilene, Texas. Below are a few thumbnail images from the book. To see a larger view, just click on the image. To see them all, get a copy of the book for yourself!

At the McMurry University homecoming in October 2008, authors of Abilene Landmarks gathered for a giant book-signing party. Left to right: Steve Butman, Don Frazier, and Robert Pace rest their fingers. Below: Student book-signers at the other end of the table.

Buy a copy from the Texas History Store at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, and get a 10% discount off the publisher’s suggested retail price!

State House Press and the McWhiney Foundation Press are part of the Texas A&M University Press Consortium, which handles retail distribution for a number of small but distinguished publishers. Our entire list of offerings, with pictures, summaries, prices, and easy online ordering, is available in our section of the consortium web pages.