Lubbock to Abilene via Buffalo Gap. 179 miles. 28th October 2025.
A different sort of morning today, with an overcast sky and a very strong wind as we set off from Lubbock. After manoeuvring around the Lubbock ring way we hit the US Route 84 and the Sat nav announced “ stay on this road for the next 145 miles”. The scenery at first was very similar to the last few journeys namely cotton fields and scrubland but it soon changed to more rolling countryside. Oil seemed to take over as the main industry with an abundance of “ nodding donkeys” in the fields and an acrid sulphurous smell filling the air. Although oil is obviously very important in the region there is also a growing number of wind turbines showing that alternate forms of energy are increasing.
We decided to drive directly to Buffalo Gap Historic Village prior to checking in to our hotel and once again we were the only visitors. We were warmly welcomed by two lady volunteers who were amazed that we had come all the way from Wales to visit the village.
The museum comprises of some 20 buildings that focus on the history of the last years of the West Texas frontier from 1875 to 1925. Some of the buildings are still in their original locations but others have been moved to show a complete picture. The county courthouse and jail is the original as Buffalo Gap was the County Seat until Abilene took over the honour.
Inside, in addition to the court room itself, where I played judge………
were two jail cells. One was heavily secured and was reserved for dangerous and violent criminals, whilst the other could house up to twelve residents and was known as the Drunk Tank.
Other buildings included a doctors office, including a very scary dentist’s chair,
a barbershop, blacksmith
and train depot, with segregated waiting rooms.
In the Post Office was a display of postage stamps and a short history of wanted posters that apparently are still common in post offices today.
The schoolhouse was originally built in 1908, so is younger than the primary schools attended by Sylvia and myself, but it was interesting to compare with our childhood. Of particular note was the list of things a teacher could NOT do, which included getting married, riding in a carriage with any man except her brother or father and wear face powder, mascara or to paint their lips. How times have changed.
In the barn were housed a number of forms of transport including a red model T Ford and a Surrey, without a fringe on top.
Other exhibits included a description of events in the region during WW1 and the Great Depression, a garage forecourt…………….
……some printing presses…..
…………..some more farm buildings…….
…..and even a chapel, where you can still get married in today (they do funerals as well).
Sylvia and I love these small museums as they have so much local history within them and the staff are always very helpful and very enthusiastic. A great decision to visit here today and this will give us more time tomorrow to explore the city of Abilene.
