In the wild annals of Texas history, few tales blend drama, humor, and sheer audacity like the theft of the Taylor County seat. In 1883, the tiny town of Buffalo Gap lost its coveted status as county seat to the upstart Abilene, but the folks of Buffalo Gap weren’t about to let go without a fight.

This live reenactment captures the hilarity and high stakes of the “County Seat Caper,” complete with bumbling sheriffs, indignant townsfolks, and a courtroom showdown that cemented Taylor County’s place in Texas lore.

Join BT Bison Ranch for a hands-on, kid-friendly presentation all about the American Bison! Learn about the importance of bison meat and its nutritional benefits, feel the texture of real bison hide, and check out authentic bison bones. This is a fun and interactive way to discover the bison and its role in history. Plus, you’ll have the chance to purchase BT Bison meat to take home!

You can also purchase bison meat any time by visiting their site: https://btbison.com/

Experience local government in action inside the original Taylor County Courthouse at Buffalo Gap Historic Village! The Taylor County Commissioner’s Court is convening in this historic setting, offering a rare chance to see modern governance unfold in the very place where early county leaders shaped the region’s future.
This session’s agenda will cover a few county topics that impact our area. Whether you’re passionate about local policy or just curious about how decisions are made, attending a Commissioner’s Court session is a great way to engage with the leaders working to keep Taylor County thriving.
Never attended a session before? Now’s the perfect time! Step into the past while witnessing the present as our county officials carry out their duties in one of Texas’ most historic courthouses. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of history in the making—join us for an engaging and insightful meeting!

As part of Buffalo Week, an Abilene Zoo zookeeper is heading to the Buffalo Gap Historic Village to share an inside look at bison conservation! Learn about the history, care, and preservation of these iconic animals, from their millions-strong herds across the Great Plains to their near-extinction in the 1800s—and the efforts to bring them back today.

Discover fascinating facts about bison behavior, diet, and their crucial role in ecosystems, straight from the experts who care for them. Then, be sure to visit the Abilene Zoo to meet Uno, the zoo’s newest bison resident, and see conservation in action!

Step into the world of bison conservation at the Abilene Zoo’s Bison Keeper Chat, part of Buffalo Week! Join our expert zookeeper as he shares insights into the history, care, and preservation of these iconic animals. Learn how bison once roamed the Great Plains by the millions, their near-extinction in the 1800s, and ongoing efforts to restore their populations today.

Get an up-close look at Uno, the zoo’s newest bison resident, and discover his role in conservation efforts. From their diet and behaviors to their impact on ecosystems, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Texas’ largest land mammal.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with a living symbol of the American West—visit the Abilene Zoo and experience bison conservation in action!

Step into the world of bison conservation at the Abilene Zoo’s Bison Keeper Chat, part of Buffalo Week! Join our expert zookeeper as he shares insights into the history, care, and preservation of these iconic animals. Learn how bison once roamed the Great Plains by the millions, their near-extinction in the 1800s, and ongoing efforts to restore their populations today.

Get an up-close look at Uno, the zoo’s newest bison resident, and discover his role in conservation efforts. From their diet and behaviors to their impact on ecosystems, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Texas’ largest land mammal.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with a living symbol of the American West—visit the Abilene Zoo and experience bison conservation in action!

With Special Guest Martha Ferguson

Join us for an evening of storytelling and history as Cheryl Lewis delves into the fascinating past of Rath City and the hide towns of the Texas frontier. Accompanying her is Martha Ferguson, a Hamlin rancher and owner of the Y6 Ranch, the very land where Rath City once stood.

Once a booming buffalo hide town, Rath City played a crucial role in the Great Plains economy before disappearing into history. Though the original town site was plowed under in 1971, its legacy remains—artifacts still surface after rains and shifting winds, and two marked graves, Spotted Jack and Lumpkins, serve as solemn reminders of the past. A stone marker, placed by historian Jack Lofton, stands at what was once the heart of the old business district.

Through historical photos, personal stories, and firsthand accounts, this fireside chat will transport you back to the days when buffalo hunters, traders, and settlers carved out a living on the Texas frontier. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from those who continue to preserve its legacy.

Be sure to explore the artifacts and visit the Y6 Ranch history through archival images—then step back in time with us.

Presented by Abilene State Park

Long before supermarkets and corner stores, the bison was the ultimate provider for Native American tribes across the Great Plains. Every part of the animal was essential for survival—its meat offered nourishment, its hide provided warmth and shelter, and its bones were transformed into tools and weapons. Even hooves and sinew played a role in crafting glue and bowstrings. More than just a resource, the bison was sacred—a lifeline that sustained generations.

Join Abilene State Park for this fascinating look at how Native Americans honored and utilized every part of this magnificent creature, ensuring nothing went to waste in their deep connection to the land.

Ken Burns’ The American Buffalo is a breathtaking four-hour documentary that spans over 10,000 years of North American history—but don’t worry, we won’t make you sit through all of it at once! Instead, we’re bringing you the highlights in three special screenings, each showcasing the most compelling moments.

In Part 3, explore the buffalo’s evolution, its deep connection to Indigenous peoples and the Great Plains, its near extinction, and the incredible efforts to restore this iconic species. Join us for a fascinating look at one of the most enduring symbols of the American landscape—without the marathon viewing session!

Ken Burns’ The American Buffalo is a breathtaking four-hour documentary that spans over 10,000 years of North American history—but don’t worry, we won’t make you sit through all of it at once! Instead, we’re bringing you the highlights in three special screenings, each showcasing the most compelling moments.

In Part 2, explore the buffalo’s evolution, its deep connection to Indigenous peoples and the Great Plains, its near extinction, and the incredible efforts to restore this iconic species. Join us for a fascinating look at one of the most enduring symbols of the American landscape—without the marathon viewing session!