Here’s 5 Ways To Know Someone Is Definitely From Abilene
In the heart of Texas lies a city where the skies stretch as far as the eye can see, and the sense of community is strong. Abilene, a gem nestled in the Big Country, carries its unique charm and history with pride.
You can often tell someone is from Abilene without them ever saying a word. You pick up on clues woven into their character, habits, and stories. Abilenians carry the spirit of the city with them. Let's take a look at the undeniable signs that someone hails from Abilene, Texas.
LOOK: 5 WAYS TO KNOW SOMEONE IS UNMISTAKABLY FROM ABILENE
The Roar of a B-1 Aircraft Sounds Like Home
Just on the outskirts of Abilene, you’ll find Dyess Air Force Base, “the Home of the B-1”. Nothing will rattle the fillings in your teeth like the thunder of a B-1 tearing across the sky. Flyovers are fun to watch and the base is celebrated yearly with the Dyess Big Country Air and Space Expo.
The Term “Crosstown Showdown” Can Only Mean One Time of the Year
Let’s face it, high school football is huge in Texas, and Abilene is a hotbed for Friday Night Lights. Two of the city’s high schools, Abilene High and Abilene Cooper, face off on the field. To this day, it’s one of the biggest matchups in the area with bragging rights lasting a whole year. It’s rivalry at its best! The week leading up to the game is known as Hell Week.
Everybody Has Driven By the “Big White Mansion”
This 12,000-square-foot home, located on Buffalo Gap Road, is one of the most unique buildings in the city. It includes a ballroom and a library. Following its construction in 1983, the home instantly became a landmark. The home's original owner Peter Kasimirs, who found his success in the hotel business, passed in 2006 at the age of 93.
Hundreds of Rattlesnakes in One Place Means Roundup Time
Every March, what's known as the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup brings an estimated 25,000 visitors to the area. On average, 4,000 pounds of snakes are rounded up every year, where they are weighed, sexed, milked, killed, and skinned. It dates back to 1958 when farmers and ranchers tried to eradicate the local western diamondback rattlesnake population because the reptiles were biting livestock and pets.
The Town of Potosi is Pronounced Correctly
Abilene is surrounded by many original-sounding towns that help make the area great. A good example is Potosi. If you’ve lived in Abilene for any amount of time, you’ll find out pretty quickly the pronunciation is PUH-TOE-SEE and not POT-UH-SEE. Other towns include Ovalo, Fluvanna, and Tuscola.
LOOK: Classic Signs You Still See Around Abilene
Gallery Credit: Rudy Fernandez