Original Town North is found within downtown Abilene's core, where whimsical statues and children's book-themed street names transform the area into a living fairytale, celebrating the city's title as Storybook Capital of America. "In the 1970s, North 1st and South 1st streets weren't much, and they were filled with a few small stores. A train runs right through here, and it's loud, especially in this neighborhood," says Sylvia McMillan, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker and long-time resident. "It has grown so much. There are cool things on each corner. Next to Monk's Coffee, there's a walled water fountain that says, 'Welcome to Abilene,' and we are always throwing events." The area features 1900s-era homes and historic buildings now housing locally owned shops, antique stores and emerging restaurants.
"There's such a strong amount of pride in Abilene," says Ashley Dimauro, Senior Director of Operations for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. "Downtown is growing a lot, and the chamber plays a big role in supporting new businesses. We also have many nonprofits that contribute to our growing art scene." With the construction of a new hotel, entertainment programs at the Abilene Convention Center and the redevelopment of older houses, Original Town North is writing new stories. Despite being home to the city's most visited landmarks and museums, Original Town North offers easy parking most days, except during one of its annual festivals.
Abilene is the Storybook Capital of America, showcasing art that celebrates children’s books.
I do not like green eggs and ham, but I love Abilene’s Storybook collection sculptures.
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The Abilene Farmer's Market is every Thursday and Saturday
Surrounding the vintage marquee of the Paramount Theater, trendy breweries, upscale dining and locally owned shops are all within walking distance along downtown's storybook inspired streets. Downtown Abilene's dining scene is expanding with new businesses while honoring classics like Cypress Street Station and Beehive. "The Beehive is one of the best places in town with steaks, seafood, burgers and roasted chicken," McMillan says. Other favorites include Vagabond for fire-roasted pizza in a warm ambiance, and The Local for contemporary Mexican cuisine and elevated cocktails. Shops like Brim Style Hat Co., the town's only hat bar, and Seven and One Books, where patrons can enjoy tea and art classes, are redefining the downtown lifestyle and building community. "We have a lot of antique stores like Living Chic, which is across from Lone Star Dry Goods. They have a lot of great men's clothing and stuff for dads. That's where I get all my gifts for holidays," says Cameron Sloan, Talent & Emerging Business Specialist for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. ACU and Hardin-Simmons students frequent Front Porch Coffee Co. & Bakery and Monk's Coffee Shop. Trendy spots like Sway Cafe & Wine Bar and Peacock Patio offer cozy spots for drinks after work. On Saturday mornings, the Abilene Farmer's Market on North 1st Street features fresh local beef, baked goods and pickled vegetables, while the Walmart Abilene Market on Ambler Avenue is a go-to for groceries.
Visitors enjoy browsing a variety of fresh produce and goods at the Abilene farmers market.
Visitors explore a range of local goods, from local honey to jam, at the Abilene farmers market.
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Magical sculptures live in The Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Abilene's title as The Storybook Capital of America is honored at The Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden located on the front lawn of the Abilene Convention Center. Life size sculptures of storybook characters from the mind of children's literary artist Garth Williams serve as friendly backdrops for selfies and family portraits. Original Town North is also just 3 miles from Oscar Rose Park, home to Adventure Cove, a water park and the city's top destination to cool off during Abilene's dry summers.
Quirky and unique sculptures can be found throughout Abilene, adding personality to the city.
The Man in the moon sculpture in Abilene is a cheerful reminder of the city's artistic flair.
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Learn about Abilene's history at Frontier Texas
A growing cultural scene is making Abilene a hotspot for history and entertainment. The Paramount Theater is a landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Remodeled in the 1980s, the1930s theater is known for its ornate architecture and remains a hotspot for events, themed movie nights and plays. Museums like Frontier Texas highlight Abilene's West Texas beginnings—when cowboys still roamed the open expanse of Abilene. "The area where our museum is used to be nothing but industrial warehouses," says Jeff Salmon, Executive Director at Frontier Texas and long-time resident. "We really appreciate our location. We are the gateway into downtown from Dallas and the top-ranked attraction in Abilene on TripAdvisor for over 14 years," Salmon says. "Our museum uses holographs to depict real characters from our Frontier era. We pride ourselves on our dramatic storytelling and we are currently expanding our museum to host temporary exhibits." Other notable attractions include The Grace Museum's Texan art collection and the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature.
Frontier Texas! museum celebrates the rich history of the Abilene area in the 1800s.
Learn how the buffalo and wild wolves helped to shape Abilene at Frontier Texas! museum.
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Witness Abilene's culture every second Thursday during ArtWalk
While Abilene's downtown is small, it draws big crowds during its events—probably the only time parking is a problem. "The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council hosts the annual Children's Art and Literacy Festival every June," Dimauro says. "It's a major thing here that lasts four days, with children's authors leading workshops, readings and kid-centered events." The monthly ArtWalk on every second Thursday showcases Abilene's art scene. "The Center for Contemporary Arts hosts the ArtWalk. They have different themes each time," says Pam Sites, Director of Visitor Services for The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Some weeks feature a car walk where people bring their antique cars." The Abilene Convention Center also hosts various events throughout the year, including several Broadway shows. "We just extended our contract to get more Broadway shows to the convention center. We are very excited about that. We are also proud to host several conferences throughout the year. It's good to get out of towner's to experience our city." Sites says.
Visitors enjoy personalized service at the Paramount Theatre’s classic box office in Abilene.
Enjoy panoramic views of Abilene’s downtown, showcasing a mix of old and new architecture.
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Historic homes, apartments and new construction
Like much of downtown Abilene, Original Town North is seeing new development. Pockets of homes and renovated apartments surround some of Abilene's biggest attractions, likely see more foot traffic in the coming years. "Small towns are competing to attract people to visit them," McMillan says. "New developments like the DoubleTree Hotel, the revitalized convention center and the Windsor apartments are a part of the effort to appeal to a younger crowd." The neighborhood's homes have seen generations grow up in them. Built throughout the early to mid 1900's, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and American Foursquare style houses typically start at $115,000 for fixer-uppers and top off at around $165,000. Carver is a historically Black community on the east side of Original Town North has been receiving updates. Many of Carver's home are being removed due to Abilene's Demolition Program, using $150,000 as an initiative to rehab older areas around town. New constructions include Contemporary duplexes on Grape Street and townhomes on Orange Street, with prices ranging from $265,000 to $325,000. The neighborhood lacks sidewalks on most streets, but there are a lot of churches, in fact—church steeples notably peek among Abilene's small yet growing skyline. "We are often regarded for having the most churches per capita in any city in Texas. It's a big part of life here," McMillan says.
Townhomes add a modern touch to the classic neighborhood of Original Town North, Abilene.
Two-story homes in Original Town North boast inviting porches and spacious balconies.
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Abilene ISD offers schools close to home
The Abilene Independent School District is headquartered in the neighborhood. Purcell Elementary, Martinez Elementary and Craig Middle School receive B-plus ratings on Niche. Abilene High School also earns a B-plus ranking and is known for its sports rivalry with Cooper High School, especially during football games.
Purcell Elementary School
Craig Middle School
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Never struggle with parking in downtown Abilene
Downtown Abilene has free parking and front-row spots for most boutiques and restaurants. Cypress Street is the area's main thoroughfare, undergoing a $9 million improvement project to enhance pedestrian access and widen sidewalks. The city's highway system includes Texas 322 Loop, U.S. 277 and Interstate 20 which are all within 5 miles. Abilene's biggest employer, Dyess Air Force Base is a 10-mile drive via Arnold Boulevard. Though Abilene is mostly car-dependent, CityLink provides bus stops throughout residential areas. For quick flights to Dallas, Abilene Regional Airport is 6 miles southeast, and Hendrick Health is 1 mile north.
Downtown Abilene’s skyline is lovely at sunset, highlighting the charm of the Original Town.
The historic train station in Original Town North shows Abilene’s rich history and architecture.
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This is a 3-unit investment property package. 639-641 Grape is a duplex, and 625 is a stand-alone unit. 636 Grape is vacant, 641 Grape is occupied, and 625 Grape is occupied. Stoves, Refrigerators, and window ac units currently in properties will remain with the properties.639 Grape - Living room, Kitchen, Den, Full and half Bathrooms, 2 bedrooms - refrigerator, stove, and washer & dryer
Incredible Investment opportunity! Duplex with addition lot next to it. This unique, well-maintained duplex sits on a spacious lot and includes an additional adjacent lot, offering excellent potential for expansion or development. Each unit features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, separate laundry area, an open floor plan, ceramic tile flooring and carpet. Covered double parking spaces and
WE ARE OFFERING FINANCING WITH AS LOW AS $5,000 DOWN!! This home has had a full cosmetic overhaul along with new plumbing and electric just installed. With a big lot and no neighbors on either side of you this will make a nice quiet home in the city of Abilene. To schedule a showing please call Paloma Ortega at (432)234-7622 or Trevor at (432)425-2284.
This property at 914 Mulberry St features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, offering a total of 700 square feet of living space. This property is FURNISHED. The living room provides a comfortable area for relaxation, while the bedrooms are adequately sized for personal use. The bathroom is equipped with essential fixtures for convenience. The property includes a washer and dryer for laundry needs. The
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,376
Median Age
35
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,638
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,556
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.6%
College Graduates
13.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
46/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
61/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
