Site of Old Headquarters of the Hashknife Ranch (on Hill of East Cedar Creek)

Site of Old Headquarters
of the Hashknife Ranch
(on Hill of East Cedar Creek)

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Marker Text: In December 1880, H.C. Withers of the Texas & Pacific Railroad met local men here to decide on a site for a cattle shipping center. Bypassing the county seat of Buffalo Gap, the railroad platted a new town named Abilene for the famous cattle town in Kansas. Cattlemen meeting with Withers were Dallas banker and Hashknife Ranch co-ower John N. Simpson, and Confederate Colonels Claiborne W. (Clabe) and J.D. Merchant, twin brothers and ranchers who moved to Callahan County six years earlier. Brisk bidding ensued at a sale of city lots in March 1881. Abilene grew quickly and became a significant regional city of west Texas. (1968) (2007)

Marker No: 2403

Aluminum 18 x 28 Subject Marker - Replaced 1968 marker.

Geographic: 32.469864,-99.722153

Location: Will Hair Park. 500 East Ambler Avenue, Abilene

​Site of Old Headquarters of the Hashknife Ranch ​(on Hill of East Cedar Creek)

Site of Old Headquarters
of the Hashknife Ranch
(on Hill of East Cedar Creek)