In early 2004, the opening of Frontier Texas was greatly anticipated. Promoted as an interactive history museum, Frontier Texas exceeded expectations with the use of multi-media presentations and life-sized holographic figures. As a visitor center, Frontier Texas was also on the cutting edge in providing travelers more than just a safe place to stretch their legs, take advantage of clean restrooms, and collect current travel and tourism information.
Designated as the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region, Frontier Texas is the only visitor center in Texas to be officially affiliated with one of the state’s ten heritage trail regions. Established in 1968 by Governor John Connally, the Texas Forts Trail is a recommended driving route – or “trail” – through 29 counties in Central West Texas. Since its revival in 1998, the Forts Trail Region has been charged with implementation of the state’s heritage tourism program and is headquartered in Abilene.
Through its exhibits and experiential format, Frontier Texas helps visitors gain a cultural and historic understanding of Abilene and Central West Texas; and it enables residents to better understand their own rich and diverse past. Key historic figures – Indians, buffalo hunters, soldiers, cowboys and settlers – tell their stories through state-of-the-art technology.
Frontier Texas supports and amplifies the educational, marketing and economic development efforts of the Texas Forts Trail and other entities. In showcasing other regional sites and communities such as Fort Phantom Hill, Paint Rock, and Graham, many are inspired to visit these places or learn more.
From its inception, the structure of Frontier Texas “echoed” the architecture of the area’s frontier forts. Architect Larry Good explained that when he and architect Bryce Weigand started on the project, they drew inspiration from historic sites. “We visited Fort Richardson, Fort Belknap, Fort Phantom Hill, Fort Griffin, Fort Chadbourne and Fort McKavett.”
The large chimney-like stone structures in front of Frontier Texas are representative of many ruins of the frontier forts, but especially nearby Fort Phantom Hill, which was built and then abandoned in the early 1850’s. “The sculptural chimneys that lead you up to the front door of Frontier Texas are based on the chimneys at Fort Phantom Hill,” Good says. “The chimneys are the only things left there.”
The building utilizes rough local limestone with minimal openings to suggest the construction of the frontier forts. Gabled volumes of heavy masonry and metal roofs contrast with open running porches supported by slender columns. A large open area is reminiscent of a fort’s parade ground and stones on those grounds are arranged in the proper formation of a regiment at assembly. The museum’s original design, done by Good Fulton & Farrell Architects of Dallas, won multiple design awards.
Several years after opening, the Frontier Texas board of directors created a committee to evaluate facility needs to better serve the museum’s mission. A detailed list of operational and programmatic objectives was developed and has been refined by museum staff over the past decade.
Weatherl & Associates of Abilene was hired in 2022 to plan for modifications to the existing facilities and to design new facilities.
Enclosing the current outdoor pavilion for an Education Center will allow a dedicated space for additional educational programs and community events. A new Archives Space will provide safety and preservation of existing and newly acquired artifacts. A new additional parking lot will allow greater parking capacity and lead more guests to enter from the west into a redesigned lobby that will have a higher guest capacity and new inspirational exhibits.
Having served educators, the community, and travelers for the past 20 years, changes to Frontier Texas began in early 2024. Due to construction work, the facility is currently closed to the public but is expected to reopen in May. Once again, the opening of Frontier Texas is eagerly anticipated!
