Grocery stores today are places of quick stops and long lines, but Stewart Grocery has always been more than that—it’s been a pillar of Buffalo Gap’s small-town charm.

In 1961, Stewart Grocery opened as more than just a place to buy goods—it was a place where neighbors met, families gathered, and folks supported each other through hard times. But the story begins even earlier. Before it became Stewart Grocery, the round part of the building was originally a filling station, built by Sam Bates. When Mickey’s Paw Paw, a Navy veteran from World War II, returned home, he saw an opportunity and bought the store in 1946, expanding it into what became Stewart Grocery.

Unlike today’s big-box supermarkets, Stewart Grocery ran on trust and community loyalty. Families who needed food but hadn’t been paid yet could put their names on the ledger, and when payday came, they’d settle up—no questions asked. This wasn’t just business; it was neighbors helping neighbors.
Today, Stewart Grocery is one of the longest-standing businesses in Buffalo Gap. While it still sells essential goods, it’s best known for its cold glass-bottled Dublin Dr. Pepper, a drink that has kept Texans refreshed for generations. Walking inside, you can still feel that same old-fashioned spirit, where locals stop to chat and visitors get a taste of the past.

Stewart Grocery remains a piece of Buffalo Gap’s history, standing strong through changing times. While you’re here – step inside and take a moment to appreciate the store’s legacy. Now, let’s head over to the Presbyterian Encampment, a site of faith and community gatherings.

Welcome to Camp Barkeley, a place that once echoed with the sounds of marching soldiers and rumbling military vehicles. This camp was an important training ground for thousands of troops heading to fight in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.

Named after Private David B. Barkley, Camp Barkeley was one of the largest military training sites in the U.S. at the time. It covered 77,000 acres—about the same size as Washington, D.C. It wasn’t just a camp; it was like a small city. Rows of barracks housed soldiers, massive dining halls fed thousands, and chapels were filled with prayers before deployment. The camp also had a large medical training center, preparing over 12,500 officers for military hospitals worldwide. In addition, it held a German prisoner-of-war camp, and while most POWs worked without trouble, a few tried to escape, causing a stir in town.

Here’s a fun fact: The camp was named after Private David B. Barkley, a World War I hero, but someone accidentally added an extra “e” to his last name—and the mistake stuck!

Today, nature has reclaimed the land, but Camp Barkeley’s impact lives on. Without it, Abilene’s Dyess Air Force Base might never have been built.

As you leave, picture the marching soldiers and the distant sounds of military drills. Now, let’s go even further back in time to when Buffalo Gap was a thriving frontier town.