| Located in the central part of the state, the city of Abilene, Texas is named after another town known for its western heritage, Abilene, Kansas. First settled in 1881 by buffalo hunters, much of Abilene remains the same: ranches worked by cowboys still surround the city, and cowboys still rope and brand. Two of Abilene's biggest events are the Western Heritage Classic in May and the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in September. Smaller events, such as the frequent cowboy rodeos, also celebrate this important way of life. Though much of Abilene is still rural, the area does offer some big-city indulgences, such as theaters, art galleries, museums, a zoo, a symphony orchestra, and a ballet company. The Old Jail Art Center in nearby Albany has Pablo Picasso's works on paper, a Henry Moore sculpture and an Alexander Calder mobile, and is listed in John Dilani's "100 Best Small Art Towns in America." Abilene is also home to Dyess Air Force Base and the Linear Air Park, where visitors can view aircraft spanning 60 years, from World War II to Operation Desert Storm. |
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