History of Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor County, Texas|Taylor County, Texas, United States, in the central portion of the state. The population was 115,930 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene, Texas Abilene metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County.{{GR|6}} Dyess Air Force Base is located to the west of the city.
Abilene is located off Interstate 20, between exits 279 on its western edge and 292 on the east. Abilene is 150 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas The city is looped by I-20 to the north, US 277/83 on the west, and FM 322 to the east. A railroad divides the city down the center into north and south. The downtown area is on the north side of the railroad.
The newest parts of the city seem to be growing to the southwest and south following US 83/84 and in the northeast at I-20 and SH 351. There are two lakes in the city, one on the western edge of Abilene Regional Airport, and the other on the southeast corner of US-83/84 & FM 322 interchange.
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