By Brian Roe, Staff Writer

Abilene is trying to get on the map.

The city is attempting to attract tourists by creating a trail of historical sites in the area. The new Abilene Frontier Texas Trail will be located at 625 N. 1st St.

The exhibit will be an original travel information center utilizing technology to inform visitors, said Jeff Salmon, director of Frontier Texas.

Salmon said the museum will be loaded with information and various technologies.

“People can come in, look at maps or talk to a travel counselor,” he said. “One can look at it from a historical aspect or a geographical aspect, but either way it will all be very new and unique to the travel information industry.”

The trail will also feature an exhibit or museum area called the Century of Adventure. Salmon said it will be an exciting addition to Abilene.

“The Century of Adventure will be a high-tech, multi-media experience using first-person depictions of life on the frontier of Texas,” Salmon said. “Frontier Texas will also have living history exhibits.”

Salmon also said the exhibit will also be used to host special events in Abilene.

“The place is designed as a special event facility,” he said. “We are expecting the exhibit to be used by outside groups.”

Salmon said the main reason for the new tourist attraction is for economic development and for the enhancement of the community’s quality of life.

This enhancement could affect the ACU community if more tourists are coming to Abilene. No one is certain what kind of effect the museum would have, if at all.

“I think Abilene could attract tourists because the community has some good aspects, but I don’t think students will be real interested,” said Emily McCoy, junior psychology and Spanish major from Coppell. “Maybe if I was an older person looking around for different places to visit I would be more interested.”

The Abilene Frontier Texas Trail is expected to open by mid-March.