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The Throckmorton Destination encompasses a portion of central Texas. Comprising a mixture of urban cities and natural land, the destination’s topography is fairly wooded with multiple desertland areas. As several lakes are scattered throughout the region, those who visit the destination are often drawn to the outdoor recreational aspect of the location. A number of these lakes can be found in one of the largest cities in the Throckmorton Destination, Abilene, which contains Lake Fort Phantom Hill, Kirby Lake, Lytle Lake, and Lake Abilene. Situated next to Lake Abilene is Abilene State Park, which offers a selection of camping options that range from yurts to RV sites.[5] For visitors who are hoping to explore downtown Abilene and the vicinity, a fair amount of historic sites, shops, and attractions can be found in the urban fraction of the city. The Abilene Zoo can appeal to both children and adults, as a notable collection of native Texan wildlife species reside in the zoo for people to observe.[3] To a lesser degree, Throckmorton also features a few attractions, outdoor activities, and restaurants. It is recommended that future tourists who plan on visiting Throckmorton come between early June and early September for moderate temperatures, especially if they plan on undertaking outdoor activities.[7]
Located in the heart of Texas, the Throckmorton Destination comprises numerous cities, desert regions, and wooded areas. The destination encompasses the following cities: Abilene, Sweetwater, Breckenridge, Baird, Cisco, Coleman, Rising Star, Comanche, Brownwood, Winters, and Roby. Throckmorton, the destination’s namesake, is a town in the northernmost fraction of the destination, encompassing roughly 1.66 square miles.[1] In comparison to other townships and cities in the destination, Throckmorton is much smaller, with an estimated population of 804 residents, as of 2023. Since the most recent census in 2020, which reported about 723 people, the town’s population has increased by 11.2%. Based on this result, it has been determined that the annual growth rate for Throckmorton’s population is 3.61%.[2]
Just over an hour’s drive from Throckmorton is the city of Abilene, situated in the central portion of the Throckmorton Destination. Abilene is the largest city in the destination, as it covers 112.09 square miles. While the city’s economy is primarily supported by government, education, healthcare, and manufacturing, tourism also serves as a contributing factor.[15] One particular attraction that tends to pique the interest of visitors is the Abilene Zoo. Home to over 250 species, the Abilene Zoo features over 1,000 animals. Some of the largest mammals that one can expect to see at the zoo include lions, giraffes, camels, and black rhinoceros.[3] On account of the many storybook-themed attractions in Abilene, the city deems itself the “storybook capital of America.” The National Center for Children’s Literature is established in Abilene; thus, a number of storybook activities that cater to a younger demographic are available to tourists. During the second week of June, the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival is hosted annually, drawing thousands of visitors. This event has taken place in the city since 2012. Furthermore, several sculptures of storybook characters are scattered throughout downtown Abilene.[6]
The 1910 Swenson House, the Grace Museum, the Taylor County History Center, and the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum are sites that people can visit to learn more about their roles in Abilene's heritage. The Grace Museum displays a collection of artwork as well as over 12,000 artifacts, such as photographs, textiles, and furniture. It should also be noted that this museum periodically hosts activities and art classes that cater to both children and adults.[3]
Abilene State Park is often frequented by outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping, hiking, boating, geocaching, bird watching, bike riding, and horseback riding, among other activities. The adjacent Lake Abilene can also provide opportunities for fishing.[4] Moreover, hunters are welcome to pursue game animals in Abilene’s open spaces that permit hunting. Some of the wildlife that can be pursued include whitetail deer, mourning dove, white-wing dove, mule deer, axis deer, bobwhite quail, wild hogs, and turkey, to name a few.[5]
Desertlands, open space, and wooded regions constitute much of the destination, especially beyond the outskirts of Throckmorton. A number of lakes can be found as well. The city of Abilene contains Kirby Lake, Lytle Lake, and Lake Fort Phantom Hill, among other smaller bodies of water. Oak Creek Reservoir, Lake Throckmorton, Lake Brownwood, Lake Coleman, Proctor Lake, Hubbard Creek Lake, and Lake Stamford are a few other lakes that are found throughout the Throckmorton Destination. Lake Brownwood is one of the biggest lakes in the Throckmorton Destination, covering an expanse of approximately 7,300 acres. About six miles of trails wind through the neighboring Lake Brownwood State Park for hikers to utilize. Those who visit the lake often engage in recreation, such as boating, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, and paddle boarding. Fishing gear can be lent to tourists during their time in the park. RV sites, cabins, and lodges are available for people to occupy as well.[8]
A fair amount of wildlife inhabits Abilene State Park. Raccoons, whitetail deer, armadillos, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels are some of the animals that may be seen within the park. It is also home to a population of birds, as the greater roadrunner, Northern cardinal, mockingbird, hummingbird, and the Mississippi kite have been encountered in Abilene State Park. In addition to the wildlife, Abilene State Park contains a considerable amount of greenery and a diverse range of flora. Some of the trees that are found growing in this region are cedar, juniper, mesquite, native pecan, live oak, elm, Texas red oak, hackberry, and redbud.[9]
From May to September, temperatures in Throckmorton reach above 89 degrees Fahrenheit on average. July most commonly experiences the highest temperatures, with an average high of 96 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended that people who go to Throckmorton to engage in warm-weather activities visit from early June to early September for moderate weather conditions. The summer season has been described by previous tourists as “hot, humid, and mostly clear.” As for the cold season, which generally lasts from November to February, temperatures drop below 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and January is typically the coldest month of the year in Throckmorton, as temperatures range vary from 35 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter season that the town experiences has been described as “short, cold, windy, and partly cloudy.”[7]
In 1879, Throckmorton County was established, and the town of Throckmorton was appointed the county seat.[10] Throckmorton was named in honor of William E. Throckmorton—a settler on the north Texas frontier.[11] About 68 ranches and farms were operating in the town by 1880, as well as a store and a restaurant. While raising crops was a contributor to the economy at the time, cattle ranching was the primary support for the county’s economy.[10] Around the same year, the city of Abilene was founded by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company in 1881. The city’s name derives from the endpoint of the Chisholm trail in Abilene, Kansas. This trail was utilized during the days of the American Old West for cattle. Abilene has its genesis in classic Wild West culture, which involved cowboys, gunfighters, and saloon brawls on a typical basis. Artists and musicians additionally played a role in the city’s cultural development. Abilene was modernized over the course of the 20th century, transitioning from the agricultural industry to manufacturing, education, and healthcare.[12]
One of the most historically significant sites in the city of Abilene is Fort Phantom Hill. This site was the second line of forts that were laid out to fortify the Texas Settlement frontier moving westward in the 1850s. Today, a 650-mile trail extends from the fort, and the site now operates as the trail’s base point. Three stone buildings can be found on the premises, all of which are original to the time they were first built. Several “ghost stories” are reportedly tied to Fort Phantom Hill and the adjacent lake.[13]
Another place in Abilene with notable history is the 1915 Taylor County Courthouse. The courthouse’s construction was completed in 1915, and it is presently known as “Abilene’s oldest and most intact governmental building.” The classical revival structure ascends three stories high, with a brick exterior. With the exception of the wood sash windows being replaced with aluminum frames, the courthouse is original to its early years of operation.[14]
Mulberry Manor Bed and Breakfast
In Sweetwater, Texas, potential guests looking for places to stay can find the Mulberry Manor Bed and Breakfast. The bed and breakfast has significant history regarding both the building itself and the town that it's located in, yet it was only recently that the property opened to the public. On less than an acre of land, this two-story building can cater up to four different stays at a time. The Mulberry Manor Bed and Breakfast is located in the neighborhoods of Sweetwater, which is also next to the Sweetwater Wind Farm, one of the largest wind turbine farms in the world.
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