Weekend Road Trip to Abilene, KS - Day Two

 On this Saturday morning, we needed to fuel up for a full day of exploring and we did just that at Joe Snuffy's Old Fashion Grill. This diner vibed restaurant is, in the words of McKinley, a place where everyone knows everyone there. And he was so right. While waiting for our table, I loved seeing the locals all chatting with friends and family at other tables as they were either arriving or leaving. That's not something you experience often in Overland Park. Once seated, we browsed the menu which had all the comfort food options you could ask for! My husband noticed on the menu board a half order of biscuits and gravy and that was all I needed! This girl loves to try this signature dish when visiting local diners. This recipe did not disappoint! McKinley got pancakes, of course, and Joel got a traditional omelet with all the sides. We were full as ticks and ready to face a our packed day of fun!

First stop on the itinerary was The Historic Seelye Mansion. What an interesting story behind this impressive estate. A.B. Seelye was born in Illinois and received his education from both the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago and the University of Michigan. He didn't complete either college with a degree. In 1890, he came to Kansas and settled in Abilene. He established a laboratory where he manufactured a product referred to as "Wasa-Tusa", a proprietary medicine. Due to the publics response, and its popularity, Seelye added additional remedies to his line of medicines. His lab became the A.B. Seelye Medical Company. His expansive line of products were sold door to door and were eventually sold at the local five and dime, Duckwall's. More than 100 products were sold within a 14 state area.

Seelye married Jeannette Taylor, a native of Dickinson County, in 1874. They had two daughters, Marion and Helen who lived in the mansion until their deaths. The mansion was built in 1905 at the cost of $55,000. The furnishings within the home, which are still present, were all purchased at the St. Louis World's Fair and cost more than building the actual home. The first floor lighting was designed and installed by Thomas Edison! Who else can say that? There are 11 bedrooms where both presidents Roosevelt and Taft stayed, a ballroom, a winding staircase from the basement to the dining room that will cause you to hold your breath, and a "bowling alley". However, it's not actually a bowling alley, but a Box Ball. (As you scroll through the photos, you will find an explanation of Box Ball. Not an easy game to play!) We were able to play a couple of rounds in the same space that Dwight D. Eisenhower played more then several rounds with his brothers and the Seelye sisters.

The Tiffany tile fireplace on the main floor.

Furniture purchased from the St. Louis World's Fair

The original light switch installed by Thomas Edison.

The light fixtures designed and installed by Thomas Edison. These are only on the first level.

The winding staircase...

Original blueprints to the Georgian style home.

The mansion is now a preserved historical site. They open their doors for tourists, Christmas tours, and fundraisers. Notable things to look for during your tour. The  Edison lighting, the Tiffany tiled main floor fireplace, the wall plug that was installed by Edison at Mrs. Seelye's request for their iron, the original blue prints to the home, and make sure you tour the visitor's center to see all the products manufactured by the A.B. Seelye Medical Company.

These are the medicines manufactured by A.B. Seelye Medicine Company. The only medicine still on the market today that is close to Seelye's original formula is mentholatum.

Our next stop was the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. This expansive complex is serene, informative, historic, and such an important aspect to Abilene's story. Dwight D. Eisenhower was born David Dwight Eisenhower, but to avoid confusion with his father also being David, he went by Dwight. And when entering West Point, the name you signed at registry was the name you kept during your time there. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the name signed at entry. Ironically, "Ike" was derived from nicknames given to him and his older brother Edgar. Friends called his older brother "Big Ike" and Dwight was called "Little Ike". Little was dropped from "Ike" during Eisenhower's time at West Point. 

The Eisenhower family moved to Abilene in 1892, and though he was born in Texas, Eisenhower considered Abilene is hometown. He is quoted to say "The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene." The home in which the family of 8 lived was small. The oldest son had his own room and the remaining five boys shared one room. In later years, Eisenhower's father built a bedroom on the lower level for he and his wife, moving two of the older sons into one room and the remaining three younger boys shared a room. The older son still rooming alone. The childhood home was located in a section of Abilene that was considered "the wrong side of the tracks" simply because the home was located on a side of the tracks that was considered less desirable. As a result, the Eisenhower boys were told they would never amount to anything. Each one of them went on to become poignant figures throughout their careers and locations around the United States.

 

After his time at West Point, Eisenhower graduated as Second Lieutenant. His time in the military earned him accolades, awards, and medals that are too many to list. He was active from 1915-1948. He retired that same year and became president of Columbia University. At President Truman's request, Eisenhower left Columbia to command the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1952, Eisenhower announced his campaign for President. But during this time, Eisenhower met Mamie Doud while stationed in Texas, and they married in 1916. They had two sons, the oldest passing away at the age of three from Scarlet Fever. Their second son followed in his father's footsteps and served in the United States Army. 

Eisenhower became our 34th President of the United States and served two terms. During his time as President, Eisenhower obtained a truce in Korea and helped ease the tension during the Cold War. We also have Eisenhower to thank for our Interstate Highway System. He stated that the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 was security to the US. Eisenhower was also a proponent of the Space Race. He encouraged not only space exploration, but also strengthening science and higher education. His achievements during his two terms in the Oval Office are numerous. And the museum outlines his time as our President thoughtfully, artfully, strategically, and engages the visitor throughout their time spent here. Please allow plenty of time to spend at this complex. Between the museum, the childhood home, the Place of Meditation, the statues at the far end of the complex, and the library can easily take a day. We spent several hours touring this space and that wasn't nearly enough. But the time we did spend was beyond enlightening and so full of knowledgeable facts. My favorite space was the childhood home. Those memories and details are the most meaningful and give so much more insight into Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Before heading to Old Town Abilene, we took a treat break and had a scoop of ice cream from Midwest Creamery & Q. They offer homemade ice cream, snow cones, and bbq! They are currently remodeling an old Victorian home into an ice cream and bbq restaurant that will include outdoor seating, a party room, rotating bbq eats, and adult beverages. I think we will definitely need to make it back to see all of it in action! The homemade ice cream menu is amazing. I took a chance on the Oatmeal Creme Pie which had chunks of the Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie churned within the vanilla. AMAZING!! McKinley had their Cookie Dough while Joel tried M&M. Not one us of was disappointed! The x-small cup was the perfect size! McKinley got the small, and despite the fact he thought it might be too much, he finished the whole thing. 

Our last stop for the day was a trip to Old Town Abilene. Closed for the season, we are so shocked to be greeted by some of Abilene's original members! Old Abilene Trail is located on the Chisholm Trail, the very spot where cattle drivers brought their steer after traveling cross country for days on end. But with these cowboys came trouble. Old Abilene Town is located on the south side of the tracks and commonly referred to as "Texas Street". It was filled with saloons, I believe 15 in total (!), boarding houses, and plenty of gambling. Today, Old Abilene Town is a venue spot where on summer nights live bands play to crowds of people who gather on the lawn for an evening of fun. Food trucks gather as well. Inside the Alamo Saloon, came from the Alamo complete with a player piano. Tables are scattered throughout the space, a bar that serves up beverages, and a Can-Can stage complete with original stage lights! And if the moment arises, and time is allowed, Can-Can dancers will ask kids up on the stage to teach them some of the dance. Sign me up!

The Trail Center opened in May of 2021 which is a hands-on museum for the Chisholm Trail and Smoky Hills Trail. We were able to walk through this exhibit and it's such a fun way for kids, and adults, to learn about the history of Abilene.  The historic buildings on site came from various locations throughout the town. The Grove Hill Schoolhouse, The Merchant Hotel which is almost an exact replica of the original, and the original jail where Wild Bill stayed. Take a tour of the model town to get a better understanding of just how Old Abilene Town was laid out. 

In addition to all of this, there are reenactments that take place from locals who take their roles very seriously. Trust me, we met them! It was fun to watch them playfully argue with one another and chat with us about why they do what they do. And it's their pride about their town that brings them back.  

After this jam packed day of amazement, we settled into our hotel room for a bit of rest before McKinley decided we needed to head to the pool. What is it about kids, vacation, exhaustion, and finding the energy for night swimming?! I sat back in a lounger and just watched. 

Day two was incredible! Honestly, if you were to visit Abilene, this is the exact day you should plan for yourself and I can't thank the City of Abilene for hosting us and to Julie Roller for planning the best itinerary!! Come back next week for our third and final day!!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. This was a sponsored trip, but all thoughts and photos are my own.