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100 Years and Counting

Staying small has helped The Cozy Inn survive hard times. During the Depression, many large scale restaurants shuttered their doors due to rising costs. This inexpensive meal option, limited menu, and small staff allowed this burger joint to remain nimble. In the 1940s, two new military bases opened nearby. The Cozy Inn began receiving visits from enlisted men and their families, which provided a boost to sales. The 1980s saw a revitalization of downtown Salina, which threatened the future of the restaurant. Public outcry would help save the business and provided the spark for an exterior renovation.

Keeping with Tradition

Over time, the original owners passed away and the business changed hands. In 2007, Steve Howard became sole owner of The Cozy Inn. Growing up in Salina, he knew the value of retaining the traditions that made the business famous. The six-stool design has remained, as well as the original grill top. The grill will hold up to 55 burgers at a time and Steve has often found himself at full capacity. Even with a flurry of customers, his infection smile greets you as you pass through the doorway.

Six-Stool Diner

In 1922, the six-stool diner was becoming popular, although it’s a fad that would disappear with time. Stepping through the door, we were greeted with the aroma of grilled beef and onions. It’s the kind of smell that permeates your clothes and reminds you of your visit for the entire day. The stools were occupied and it was standing-room only. For a second we considered using the walk-up window, but decided we wanted the whole experience. We stood there admiring the constant buzz of activity behind the counter. They have certainly perfected the assembly-line style of building burgers by the bagful.

Simple Pleasures

The capacity to produce dozens of burgers at a time means that the wait wasn’t too long for our meal. We watched as those in front of us received their orders and dived into their sliders. The menu is about as basic as you will find. Cozy burgers come as singles or doubles and topped with onions and pickle. If you are feeding a crowd (or just really hungry) you can get them by the bagful. We ordered a half-dozen, but they also offer up to 48 burger quantities. Our order included; a half-dozen Cozy burgers, one bag of chips, and a root beer. Since the six stools were all occupied, we opted to enjoy our meal at one of their retro outdoor tables.

Burgers by the Bagful

When other customers discovered it was our first visit, they happily shared their earliest memories of the Cozy Inn. It was apparent that this place has created a following that borders on becoming a cult classic. With each story, we became increasingly eager to sample the sliders for ourselves. Opening our bagful of burgers, we were greeted by the delightful smell that we had found inside. My mouth was already watering by the time I had everything laid out before us. Diving in without hesitation, we we quickly engrossed in our meal.

The Cozy Inn

Our visit to Salina, Kansas was made to visit the Smoky Hill Museum, so adding this lunch stop was a bonus. As we made our way back to our car, the conversation focused on the devouring that we had just completed. We knew the flavor of our burgers by the bagful would stay with us far down the road. This is exactly the kind of meal that fits perfectly into a road trip. After all, it was quick, unique, and delicious. What more could anyone ask for from a 100-year-old establishment?

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We want to thank Travel Kansas and Visit Abilene for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Family Life

Dr. Alfred Seelye made his fortunes through patent medicine. This was during the days of the “snake oil” salesman when cure-alls were commonplace. Seeyle attempted to bring a business angle to the business by focusing on production, marketing, and distribution. In 1890, Alfred moved from Illinois to Abilene, where he set up his laboratory. Within a few years, he had at least 100 products on the market. With ever-increasing success, his company grew to have over 300 employees. To boost sales, he offered a free “health guide”, which contained, recipes, weather predictions, and plenty of ads for his various products. In 1893, Alfred married Jeanette Taylor and the couple would raise two daughters, Helen Ruth and Mary Eleanor.

It’s All In the Details

With money being no concern, he spared no expense when it was time to build the family home. The 11,000-square-foot structure contains 25 rooms. It is filled with Edison light fixtures, a ballroom, a music room, and a Tiffany-designed fireplace. How would you choose to furnish such a grand structure? Albert purchased the majority of the pieces at the 1904 World’s Fair, in St. Louis. By the time it was completely decorated, the family had spent more on the accessories than on the house. Abilene is also home to Dwight Eisenhower, who lived on the “wrong side of the tracks” that run through the middle of the city. As a youth, Dwight delivered ice to the home, but the daughters still saw him as lower on the social ladder.

Travel Back Over 100 Years

All of the special touches were already in place by the time the family moved into their new home. How amazing that must have been to the daughters. We can imagine the joy of exploring a fully furnished home on such an immense scale. Throughout the home, we found reminders of the family that has been kept by the current owner. In the 1920s, Frank Lloyd Wright helped with a few interior renovations. After Dr. Seelye and his wife had passed, the daughters remained in the house. The current owner, Terry Tietjens, purchased the Seelye Mansion in 1981, which he shared with the sisters. He told us stories about how the home had fallen into disrepair and his desire to bring it back to its original condition. Along the way, he had to balance his desire with getting the sisters to buy into his vision.

Amazing Architecture

The work of returning the home to its previous glory was not easy. The sisters had slowly been selling off furniture and fixtures to cover costs. Terry had to run down these items and bring them back. After agreeing to purchase the home, a fire in the elevator shaft caused considerable damage. Even with this setback, he went through with the purchase. Living with the sisters wasn’t all tea and crumpets. Often he would have to convince them to all the renovations to take place. Even something as simple as television was looked upon suspiciously by the sisters. When they were all together in the home, he made fast friends with the ladies.

Hidden Secrets

After touring the upper floors, we didn’t see how there could be any additional surprises, but we were mistaken. A small spiral staircase is set in a corner and leads down to the basement. We assumed we’d find a storm/root cellar combination, which would have been used for storage and inclement weather. There was no way we would have expected to discover a bowling alley. The version found downstairs was constructed by the American Box Ball Co. from Indianapolis. It includes an automatic ball return, as well as a lever that resets the pins. We were told that the Seelye Mansion was basically built around this special feature.

Seelye Mansion

We love exploring these hidden gems that dot the land. Abilene, Kansas has a solid reputation for being one of the best small towns for tourists. The Seelye Mansion is just one of many attractions to be found in this city that can trace its roots to the Wild West. It’s interesting to find a destination that has such a wide range of subjects, so everyone in the family will find something of interest. If you are looking for a great weekend getaway, Abilene has got you covered. Happy travels!

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We want to thank the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Abilene Visitors Bureau for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Ike’s Early Days

The Eisenhower family moved into their six-room house in 1898, and here David and Ida raised their six sons. Abilene, Kansas offered a good place to raise a rambunctious family. We could almost picture Ida shooing the boys outside so that she could get the house straightened up. We would later find out that Ida lived here until the time of her death in 1946. While Dwight’s parents belonged to the International Bible Students Association (later it became Jehovah’s Witnesses), he would remain unaffiliated with a church until later in life. His decision to attend West Point was unpopular with his mother, who felt warfare was wicked.

Meeting Mamie

While stationed in Texas, Eisenhower met Mamie Doud. The two were instantly infatuated with each other. He proposed on Valentine’s Day in 1916 and they married in July of that year. The wedding had to be moved up due to his deployment in WWI. At the start of the war, he was assigned to a post at Fort Leavenworth. This would begin the process of the couple jumping from place to place around the world. During their lifetime together, the couple would end up moving over 30 times.

Strenuous Start

In 1918, Eisenhower moved on to Camp Colt, which was the site of “Pickett’s Charge”, during the Battle of Gettysburg. When his unit received orders to deploy to France, he saw it as an opportunity to excel. Much to his chagrin, the armistice was signed one week before his deployment date. While his tank group would not see combat, the lessons he learned would strengthen his organizational skills. He proved himself to be capable of developing full combat training and supply chains for thousands of troops.

Going To War

Dwight Eisenhower lived during a period that saw two world wars and he served in both. Between the wars, he would spend his career time working with the tank divisions. His ideas for revolutionizing tank warfare were met with great reluctance from his superiors. During a transcontinental Army convoy, in 1919, Eisenhower saw the need for improved roads across America. This was a major issue he would tackle during his presidency. As the world marched into WWII, Eisenhower’s role would greatly expand. Assigned to General Staff in Washington, Dwight created war plans to defeat the Axis forces.

Taking Charge

Due to his lack of battlefield experience during WWI, rival military leaders tried to disparage Eisenhower. While disparaging, this did not stop him from advancing in his leadership role. Eisenhower organized the defeat of German forces in Africa, as well as the taking of Italy. With these victories under his belt, he was promoted to Supreme Allied Commander. The plans for Operation Overlord would require unprecedented cooperation and secrecy. Even Churchill acquiesced control of England’s strategic air forces to Ike’s command. The Normandy Invasion would be the single largest beach assault ever undertaken. His plans would carry the Allied forces through the liberation of Europe. Before the war ended, Eisenhower would be promoted to General of the Army.

War and Peace

Eisenhower was not as interested in running for the presidential office, as some of those around him. He received pressure from many, but it was the urging of a fellow Midwesterner that finally convinced him. President Harry S. Truman had requested Ike run earlier and he jumped into the fray wholeheartedly in June of 1952. Much to the chagrin of the Democrats, Ike switched parties and ran as a Republican. Eisenhower would go on to serve two terms as the last president to have been born in the 19th century. His political career was unusual, in that he had never served in an elected office before the presidency. While many would remember his various achievements, in the words of Ike, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.”

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We want to thank Abilene Visitors Bureau for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Getting Familiar

Our first stop was the Dickinson Heritage Center, which is a multi-subject museum. Here we had the opportunity to learn more about how Abilene became a city. From its earliest days through more modern times, this place highlighted the notable moments and people who helped form the city. We especially enjoyed the Wild West aspect of the cow town days and the lawmen who helped rein in the rowdy cowboys. Be sure to step out back to see the additional exhibits. You will also want to take a ride on the C.W. Parker carousel that is found there. Check out the short video we included in our more detailed article. (Read more about Dickinson Heritage here.)

Watch Your Step

Within walking distance of the Heritage Center, we came upon Old Abilene Town. This recreation of the Wild West days was a perfect accent to our trip. Here we explored the buildings that shed light on the life of early settlers to the region. We can’t imagine what it would have been like to live without some of the creature comforts we have nowadays. During our visit, we were able to catch one of their performances. A group of rowdy characters entertained the assembled crowd with a show filled with comedy, action, and even some educational material. This all-ages feature is fun for the whole family, and you can even meet the actors after their performance. (Read more about Old Abilene here.)

The Man Of The Hour

Abilene’s most notable resident was Dwight D. Eisenhower, so we couldn’t pass up a visit to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Boyhood Home. The 34th President of the United States may not have been born here, but being raised in the breadbasket of the country taught him his down-to-earth values. The Eisenhower Museum is under renovation until the late Spring of 2019, but the staff has assembled a memorable informational exhibit in the library. It is filled with artifacts and memorabilia from Ike and Mamie’s lives before, during, and after the presidency. Be sure to save your tickets, as they are good for a return visit to see the newly renovated space when it reopens.(Read more about Ike’s Library here.)

Riding The Rails

By extending our stay to include a second day, we were able to increase the number of sights we were able to enjoy. This gave us plenty of time to really deep dive into the museums and attractions we had on our schedule. A chance to ride the rails on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad had us pretty pumped. With very little train riding experience, we were looking forward to this attraction. We didn’t realize they had a small museum on-site, so we were happy that we had some extra time to explore it. (Read more about the railroad here.)

Going Downtown

One thing we always try to leave time for is to explore the downtown area of our destinations. Each town and city has something unique to offer, so we try to uncover their hidden gems. Along Buckeye Avenue, the main drag heading north and south, we found a grouping of retail shops. There were others that radiated out from this street between 2nd and 5th Streets. It made for a pleasant walking tour with short rests as we explored the shop interiors. This was a great way to meet some of the locals, who were friendly and quite helpful with meal suggestions.

Family Tradition

A home-style family meal is exactly what you would expect to find in the heart of Kansas. Have no fear, they serve these up daily at the Brookville Hotel. No need for a menu, since they have perfected the full-service chicken dinner over the past 100+ years. Yes, you read that right. This place may have moved from their original location, but have no fear. They brought their recipes with them. Be sure to take a few moments to check out the other spaces in the building before or after dinner.

With so much to see and do, why not start planning your visit to Abilene, Kansas. This family-friendly city will have you cheering for cowboys, learning about famous Kansans, and dining on delectable dishes. What more could you ask for in the heart of the country? So what do you have on your Abilene itinerary? We’d love to hear what we missed, so we can add it to our return trip. Leave us a note in the comments section below. Thanks!

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We want to thank the Dickinson Heritage Center and Abilene Visitors Bureau for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Earliest Times

The land that makes up Dickinson County was for many centuries home to the Plains Indian tribes. Traders and trappers would enter or cross the lands, but it was for the most part rolling prairie. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase secured the land for the U.S., but it would take another half-century before any permanent businesses would enter the territory. In 1857, Timothy Hersey opened a stagecoach stop in the newly formed county. He named it Mud Creek, but that name would not stick. In 1860, the name Abilene, which means “City of the Plains” would be adopted. In 1867, the railroad would build through the town and the future growth would be secured. Joseph McCoy would purchase a spread nearby and construct the Drover’s Cottage. These last two events would be the impetus for the fast-paced growth the town was about to see.

Cattle Drives

McCoy’s spread included building stockyards that could handle about 2000 head of cattle. With the railroad spur added to service Abilene, it was now time to move into action. McCoy would encourage Texas cattlemen to drive their herds to Abilene so that they could be moved east by rail. In September of 1867, the first 20 cars were moved and Abilene would forever have the title of the first “Cow Town” west of the Mississippi River. In that first year, it is estimated that 35,000 head of cattle were shipped east from Abilene, Kansas. The Chisholm Trail would become the cattlemen’s highway to bring their herds north.

Long Arm of the Law

The cattle drives brought prosperity to Abilene, but not without a price. After months on the trail, cowboys were ready to celebrate their arrival. The town’s Marshall, Tom Smith, would keep the peace with his bare fists. This worked for a while, but he was murdered in 1870, and his replacement was more accustomed to handling problems with a firearm. The name Wild Bill Hickok is widely known these days for his marksmanship, and his tenure as Marshall brought stiffer control to the swelling crowds. Dickinson Heritage Center has a handful of weapons that were used by lawmen of notoriety. Most of these were quickly identifiable, so we felt more in touch with the past.

Ahoy, There!

The Dickinson Heritage Center is also home to the Museum of Telephony, which is the history of the modern telephone. We are sure that many of you remember pulling a string tight between a couple of cans to create your primitive version. These versions are quite a bit more sophisticated, so there is plenty of informational signage to help describe the history of this device. While there are competing thoughts on who the original inventor was, the most notable patent holder is Alexander Graham Bell.

What’s That?

It was nostalgic to see some of the phones that we remember from our younger years. Of course, quite a few were before our times, but we were still familiar with them. It would be interesting to bring our grandkids here and let them experience this early technology. We are sure that they would find the character phones amusing but wonder what they would think of a rotary dial phone.

Inner Workings

Speaking of a rotary dial, the museum has an assortment of interactive displays set up for visitors to use. This allowed us to experience some of these earlier styles of phones. One of the displays we liked the most was the one that showed the inner workings of when people would make a phone call. If this is the technology that was required for just one call, can you imagine a building filled with these devices?

Heading Outdoors

The Dickinson Heritage Center has an assortment of historic structures located behind the main building. Visitors can tour a school, blacksmith shop, barns, and an old homestead. While we have visited other sites with early wooden homes, this one had the most complete upstairs portion that we could remember. Every time we tour one of these older homes, we become more thankful for the room we have in our own house. It’s all about perspective.

Giddy Up!

A huge draw for the museum is its original 1901 C.W. Parker carousel. While many people are familiar with this Leavenworth, Kansas company, few realize that he started it in Abilene. He remained there until the move in 1911. The Dickinson Heritage Center has one of his early carousels, that has been meticulously restored.

We took a ride on it and quickly discovered that it had a most unusual feature. Unlike most carousels that go up and down, this one is actually a rocking ride. The horses move forward and backward, which is more realistic of an actual horse. It certainly made for a special highlight to our visit. With a better understanding of the historical significance of the city, we were excited to continue exploring. Be sure to make time to visit the Dickinson Heritage Center on your trip to Abilene, and you will definitely want to take a spin on the carousel. If you enjoyed this article we would appreciate a little feedback. Feel free to leave us a note in the comments section below. Thanks!

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The Town

Our arrival was made in time to give us the leisure of walking around the town before the afternoon performance was scheduled to begin. The buildings are laid out like an old street, but there are also a few log cabins that shoot off along one side. This is the section we decided to visit first. Each building is designated for a specific purpose and shows what life would have been like in the 1860s, which is focused around the end of the Civil War. The first was a one-room pioneer home that would have been common for that time period. It was a stark reminder of how simple the lifestyle would have been. This is the kind of place that can be used as a lesson for the kids.

Next up was the jail, which would have also served as the sheriff’s office. While the space was minimal, it still felt roomy compared to the house we had just visited. Old Abilene Town does a good job of using appropriate period artifacts for its displays. As we worked down the lane we viewed a print shop and other small businesses that would have been found in that time period.

Main Street

Along the main street of Old Abilene Town, we found many more buildings. One side of the street has a long line of shops with a covered boardwalk. Here, there are a series of benches set up for visitors to witness the action. At the end of the street is the Alamo Saloon with the Merchants Hotel sitting directly across the way. Our time was limited since we wanted to watch the show, so we only stopped in the hotel. Inside we found that it was well furnished with period pieces much as it would have been for weary travelers to Abilene Town during the cattle drive days.

Let’s Get It On

When we returned to the street we noticed the crowd assembling along the boardwalk. We made our way down to an open spot in time to see some of the characters come out of the building they use between shows. The actors took time to mingle with the crowd, all while staying in character. Before long the cast was all present and it was time for the show to begin. The cast made sure all of the visitors were stationed at a safe distance from the field of action since they use real guns with blanks. They began by demonstrating the powerful impact that even blanks will have on an aluminum can. This was designed to cast respect for firearms into the crowd, and they also included a public service announcement specifically designed for the kids in the audience. It was a nice touch.

It’s hard to say how much of the act is scripted versus the portion that is a little more impromptu. The characters mix up their act with a storyline that is peppered with audience interaction. In the shot above the town drunk noticed my camera and decided to ham it up a bit. This certainly kept the mood light and jovial, while drawing the audience into the show.

The Quick

The show is designed to mimic the Wild West days in Old Abilene Town. During those days it was a destination for cattle drives. With cowboys arriving after months on the trail, there was sure to be some excess energy needing to be burnt off. Plenty of saloons fueled the atmosphere and blowing off steam would lead to deadly interactions. The actors of the show try to portray this in a way that shows what life was like in a less-than lawful environment.

The Dead

When you mix cowboys, whiskey, and guns you are bound to get some unsavory results. There can only be one winner of a gunfight and the other end up in a pine box. Fortunately, it was just for show and he returned to mingle with the crowd after the show.

Gunfighters Gallery

The group that performs at Old Abilene Town are members of a non-profit organization designed to preserve this historic site. While the town was developed in the 1960s, it fell into decline after its popularity faded in the 1980s. Historic Abilene, Inc. was formed in 2003 to raise funds to purchase and refurbish the site. Their work continues today, with the help of volunteers. It is a worthwhile endeavor that we were happy to help support. Be sure to thank the cast for their diligence when you visit.

The show was entertaining and afterward, the cast mingled with the crowds and posed for pictures. Being true actors, they relished every minute of this attention, even though they were not exactly dressed for the near 100-degree weather. We thanked them for the entertainment and said our goodbyes. We hope that this article will stir a desire for you to add this interesting attraction to your itinerary when you visit Abilene, Kansas. We are betting you will have a rootin-tootin good time. Be sure to watch your step and obey the law, since the Marshall and his men will be watching you!

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We want to thank Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad and Visit Abilene for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Depot Museum

Inside the depot, we met up with the manager, Mary Jane Oard. She was very welcoming, and gave us a quick overview of the depot. When you make your visit to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad you will want to be sure to set some time aside to visit the museum located behind the ticketing area. We made our way to the museum section and found some interesting display. While we knew about brakemen and conductors, the role of railroad police was a little less familiar to us. I guess it is what they are referring to when they talk about the “bulls”. What an interesting job it must have been.

Some of the displays didn’t need any explanation, such as this collection of lamps. While each color had a different purpose, we just enjoyed the pattern that they presented lined up in a row.

Home Grown Art

We noticed the various pieces of graffiti and artwork that appeared on the depot walls. Mary Jane explained that it was likely done by railroad workers who were passing time. They were certainly a creative bunch and a few left the dates of their masterpieces for posterity. Be sure to check them out, before your train ride.

The Main Event

The announcement was made for our group to board the train for our ride. The entire trip would last about 1 hour and 45 minutes and would have a stop at the other end. Having little train riding experience, we were excited to get this ride under way. They offer a choice of inside seating, but the weather was more conducive for some outdoor atmosphere. Besides, we wanted to have an unobstructed view of the landscape. While they do offer steam locomotive rides periodically, our trip was handled by a diesel engine that was a tad bit newer.

We all loaded onto the train and found seats on the open sided car. One of the staff sat down beside us and filled us in on some of the history of the car we were riding in. Evidently, it was originally used for hauling steel and was converted for use by the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. With everyone aboard, the train lurched forward on its way down the tracks. The trip took us five miles away to the nearby town of Enterprise, Kansas.

Turn’er Around

Once we arrived at the other end, it was time to disembark and check out the mill. In the meantime, the engineer and conductor uncoupled the engine and switched it to the other end. I took this opportunity to watch them in action. It’s not too often we get a chance to see the intricacy of the hand signals used to communicate with each other. We even caught some of it on video.

After witnessing this action, it was time to check out the Hoffman Grist Mill. While it wasn’t running that day, it is an active flour mill. The original mill (Not this building) began operations in 1869. These days they still produce flours that are for sale to the public. It amazes us to see this type of old school business surviving in this modern day world. We only wish they would have been operating during our visit. Perhaps on our next visit.

Return Trip

On the way back, we had a better idea of what to expect. The landscape is primarily farmland, which makes sense considering where we are. There is a section that passes through a wooded area and over the Smoky Hill River. On the way out, we were caught by surprise while talking. This time I was ready to catch some shots of the serene beauty, as well as the pile of debris that had gathered at the base of the train trestle from previous rains.

As we continued back to the station, we paid closer attention to some of the others on the train. It was clear that everyone enjoyed the rocking of the cars as we cruised down the tracks. Periodically, the engine would slow down for a crossing and we would hear the familiar horn signaling to any nearby vehicles. It is easy to understand why people were so infatuated with train travel for so long. It certainly makes for an enjoyable way to get from point A to Point B. This made our second real train ride, (Our first was this one in Eureka Springs) and we are quickly becoming fans. Have you ever traveled by train? We would love to hear about a true train journey!

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