Out and About in Abilene, Texas

Texas and Pacific RR Depot

We again stepped into the past in Abilene.  Our first stop was the Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot.  It was built in 1910.  The last passenger train to leave the depot was in March 1967.  The interior of the depot has been restored to its 1920's decor.

TandP Depot - now the office of the Chamber 
and the Convention Center

The Grace Museum

 Right across the street from the T&P Depot is The Grace Museum.  The building was constructed in 1909 and it served as a premier hotel in its heyday.  The hotel was closed in 1973 when the boiler failed.  It now houses an art museum. 

Lobby of the Grace Museum

Childhood's Great Adventure by Rick Jackson

Fountain in Everman Park

Sign in Everman Park Re The TandP Railroad

Another TandP Building

Lee as we were heading over to The Texas Store

The Paramount Theater

We figured we should see the Paramount Theater.  It opened on May 19 in 1930.  The theatre features Spanish Colonial Revivial architecture.  I liked the Art Deco light fixtures.  The part we couldn't see is the stars and clouds that move across the ceiling.  When we were there it just looked blue.  The theatre closed in 1979 and luckily was not demolished.  Although it is pretty impressive, the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids was more elaborate.  At least it was prior to the flood.  I'm not sure if they restored it or not.

Ticket Station at the Paramount

Lobby of the Theater

Inside the Theater

Seating

After we left Abilene we headed back to the campground which is in Baird, Texas.  Above is the main street of Baird.  The only really nice building in town is the Baird Depot.  It is now a Visitor Center and Transportation Museum.