Steam locomotive No. 3415 is halfway through its 2023 operating season on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, the final year before the locomotive is slated to be taken out of service for its federally mandated 1,472-day inspection. Though the start of the season saw multiple sidelines to the 4-6-2 due to unforeseen repairs in late May and issues with the injector in early June, it has since put in a strong performance all the way to the end of July.

Standing at 19 feet 10 ½ inches tall, the World’s Largest Belt Buckle is found at Eisenhower Park in Abilene. The buckle was made in 2022 in hopes that travelers will stop and visit the “Best Historic Small Town”. 

“People should visit the World’s Largest Belt Buckle because it celebrates: art, cowboy culture and Abeline. Named Best Roadside Attraction in the U.S. by TravelAwaits, it really is an incredible stop,” says Julie from Visit Abilene Kansas. 

Greetings, fellow arts and culture enthusiasts! If you're searching for an artistic and cultural journey that'll leave you inspired, Abilene, Kansas, is where the magic happens. This charming town and Best Small Town to Visit isn't just a stop along the way; it's a vibrant canvas of creativity and heritage. So, let's dive into five captivating ways to fully experience Abilene, Kansas's arts and culture scene.

From this building, United Press International processed and sent wire photos of the Eisenhower Funeral - April 2, 1969.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene’s largest tourism attraction, reports an attendance of nearly 75,000 people in 2023, with a quarter of the year remaining. Visitation reflects that the Museum is still closed on Mondays and the annual Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert was canceled due to excessive rain. In comparison, the Museum reported a yearly visitation of less than 45,000 in 2022.

Steve and Ann Teget of Postcard Jar are in Kansas this week visiting Abilene, Lindsborg and Wichita.

They're looking forward to showing their audiences the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, demonstrating how to make traditional Swedish pancakes in Lindsborg, and taking viewers along on a kayaking adventure in Wichita.