203 E. Plum. Housed in the old jail. 940/232-4028.
LAKE — Lake Kickapoo — On the North Fork of the Little Wichita River. Offers fishing, boating, camping and picnicking. About 12 miles northwest of Archer City off Texas 25. 940/761-7477.
BAIRD POP. 1,562
ALT. 1,708 MAP K-14
BAIRD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 328 Market St. 325/854-2003.
www.bairdchamber.com.
Baird is recognized as the “Antique Capital of West Texas” by the Texas Legislature. The restored turn-of- the-century buildings downtown feature antique and specialty shops. The Old Rock Jail at 100 W. Fifth St. was moved from the former county seat in Belle Plain. Area military personnel who perished during wars are remembered on the “Wall of Honor” in the courthouse. In season, hunters take wild turkey, deer, quail, dove
and hog. Golfers find a challenging and scenic 18-hole golf course inviting year-round.
BAIRD TEXAS AND PACIFIC DEPOT VISITOR CENTER AND TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM —The museum, in the historic 1911 depot, contains railroad memorabilia, antique buggies, photographs and books related to transportation. 100 Market St. 325/854-2003.
CALLAHAN COUNTY PIONEER MUSEUM —Exhibits pioneer farm and ranch implements, household items, barbed wire and documents. Market and Fourth streets. In the basement of Callahan County Courthouse. 325/854-1718.
BALLINGER POP. 3,612
ALT. 1,637 MAP M-13
BALLINGER VISITOR INFORMATION: 700 Railroad Ave. in the restored Santa Fe Depot. 325/365-2333.
www.ballinger-tx.com.
The Ballinger Carnegie Library is one of a few in the state in continuous use as a library at 204 N. Eighth St. Downtown Pioneer Plaza honors early settlers. The 10-acre City Park and Lake on Elm Creek
features camping, playground and picnic areas, pool and miniature golf course. About five miles west of city. The Texas State Festival of Ethnic Cultures and Arts and Crafts Show is held the last weekend in April.
COWBOY AND HIS HORSE STATUE —Honors local cowboy Charles H. Noyes. It is one of the works by world-famed sculptor Pompeo Coppini. On the courthouse lawn, intersection of U.S. 83 and U.S. 67.
THE CROSS —Rising 100 feet from the rolling prairie, The Cross measures 70 feet from tip to tip on the arm, and the arms are 60 feet above ground. It is 10 feet square, 14 feet on diagonal. Adjacent to The Cross is a grotto and statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On Texas 158. 325/365-2333.
BENJAMIN POP. 247
ALT. 1,456 MAP G-13
BENJAMIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 101 W. Cedar. 940/459-4131.
www.benjaminchamber.com.
On the divide between South Wichita and Brazos rivers, the city was named after town founder H.G. Bedford’s son, Benjamin, who was killed by lightning as a child. The area also was one of the first to post “wild hogs crossing” signs in the state. Hunting is popular. The area has an abundance of waterfowl, deer, dove, quail, turkey and wild hog.
KNOX COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL —This monument features a center arch flanked by 10 granite slabs and honors all Knox County veterans from the Spanish-American War through current conflicts. At the corner of U.S. 82 and Texas 6.
SCENIC DRIVE —A 36-mile loop northeast of town provides views of lands cut by the South Wichita River breaks, where layers of multicolored soils can be seen. A roadside park on U.S. 82 provides impressive views.
THE STORYBOOK CAPITAL OF TEXAS
North on Texas 6 to F.M. 1756, east to F.M. 267, south to U.S. 82, then west back to Benjamin.
WICHITA-BRAZOS MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER —This museum houses much of Knox County’s colorful history. Displays rotate every few months. 200 E. Hays (on Hwy 82). 940/459-2229.
BIG SPRING POP. 28,339
ALT. 2,397 MAP L-10
BIG SPRING CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 113 E. 3rd St. 432/263-8235 or 866/430-7100.
www.visitbigspring.com.
Big Spring is in a rocky gorge between two high foothills of the Caprock escarpment. The name is derived from the huge natural spring in Sulphur Draw that provided water to area wildlife, as well as the Comanche and Shawnee tribes. The first Anglo settlers used the site in 1849 as a campsite on the Overland Trail to California. The spring is now located in Comanche Trail Park. The city is the home of Howard College, Dorothy Garrett Coliseum and Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.
BIG SPRING STATE PARK —At the northern edge of the Edwards Plateau, the park sits on a high bluff. A three-mile drive around Scenic Mountain also is enjoyed by joggers, walkers and birders. Offers picnicking and a group pavilion. Day use only. Admission charge. 1 Scenic Drive. 432/263-4931.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-spring.
BIG SPRING VIETNAM MEMORIAL —This memorial recognizes those who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. The stone is the same type used at National Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Displays include a F-4E Phantom II jet, UH-1 Huey, an Abrams tank and Cobra helicopter. On the grounds of the former Webb Air Force Base. Accessible from F.M. 700.
www.thebigspringvietnammemorial.org.
COMANCHE TRAIL PARK —The site of the spring that
gave Big Spring its name features a limestone amphitheater, hiking on the Rose Magers Trail and Comanche Trail Lake. Events include the Christmas Festival of Lights and the Pops in the Park on July 3. On south edge of city; access from U.S. 87 and from F.M. 700. 432/264-2376.
HANGAR 25 AIR MUSEUM —This restored World War II flight hangar features a collection of Bombardier School and Webb Air Force Bases exhibits. Exhibits include various aircraft and a B-52 bomber nose. Donations accepted. 1911 Apron Drive. 432/264-1999.
www.hangar25airmuseum.com.
HERITAGE MUSEUM —This museum was once the home to pioneer Dora Roberts. Exhibits include the area’s early Native American life and the oil industry of West Texas. A gallery displays the work of local artists and traveling exhibits. Admission charge. 510 Scurry. 432/267-8255.
www.bigspringmuseum.com. Potton House — This is the restored 1901 Victorian
home of the Joseph Potton family. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and features early 1900s furnishings. Admission charge. 200 Gregg St. 432/267-8255.
LAKE — Lake Moss Creek — This lake offers fishing, boating, swimming and camping. Good area for birding. About 10 miles northeast of Big Spring off of I-20. 432/393-5246.
BORGER POP. 12,775
ALT. 3,116 MAP C-10
The town was established after the discovery of a rich oil field in 1926. Soon, a boomtown sprang up, and the population numbered more than 40,000. Orderly growth replaced the ribald oil-boom days, and now Borger is a center for oil, chemicals and cattle. Annual events include Adobe Walls Trek in June
and Juried Quilt Show in July. BATTLE OF ADOBE WALLS —A marker is at a roadside
When you visit, live like a local.
Meet Kate, y’all: Abilene’s littlest local, but our biggest fan. She doesn’t want you to just visit Abilene; she wants you to live it. You’ll meet characters of every kind at Frontier Texas!, in our vibrant art scene and much more. We may not be a big metropolitan area, but we’re big on hospitality. See why so many choose to live like a local here each year. Go on y’all and write a chapter of your life in the Storybook Capital of Texas. Tell ‘em Kate sent you. Visit
www.abilenevisitors.com to start living like a local, today.
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