Check out the World's Largest Belt Buckle in Abilene, Kansas
Whether on a cross-state road trip or just looking for a unique stop in central Kansas, the small town of Abilene has a new roadside activity to make your list.
Last December, Abilene unveiled its latest addition to artwork to honor its cowboy history. Its latest piece is now known as the World's Largest Belt Buckle.
"It's just something that makes people smile," said Julie Roller Weeks, director of the Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "It's been so fun to see people's reactions."
How the belt buckle came to be
The World's Largest Belt Buckle was designed by an Abilene local artist Jason Lahr with Fuller's Creek Metal Works. Each artistic facet of the belt buckle works to honor local heritage and traditions in the town of Abilene.
The buckle features artistic odes to Dwight Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickok, Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, the historic Seelye Mansion, C.W. Parker Carousel Horse, C.L. Brown Telephone, a racing greyhound and a Chisholm Trail Longhorn inlaid with blue quartz.
How big is the belt buckle, exactly? It stands at 19 feet 10½ inches wide, and 13 feet 11¼ inches tall, not including the frame.
The idea for the belt buckle came during the aftermath of COVID-19's impact on the tourism industry. The Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau began brainstorming "world's largest" possibilities for a fun, engaging and unique project to help market the town as a worthwhile stop in the heartland.
"I started looking at belt buckles because they really are a brochure for a community," Weeks said. "When you look at a lot of commemorative belt buckles, they highlight all the great things to say and do in a town."
The project was funded through a Kansas Tourism Attraction Development grant, and donations from 100 different businesses and individuals. Smaller commemorative buckles were made and sold to people throughout the U.S. who backed the project. Names of those who contributed can be found on the back of the buckle.
Where to find the World's Largest Belt Buckle
The World's Largest Belt Buckle sits conveniently near the grandstand of the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo grounds.
Belt Buckle Address: 400 North Pine Street, Abilene, Kansas 67410
Directions from the Visitor's Bureau:
From the Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau (201 NW 2nd Street), go north one block to 3rd Street. Turn left onto 3rd Street. Go west until you reach Pine Street. Turn right onto Pine Street. Just past Eisenhower Park and the Rose Garden, visitors will see the belt buckle standing tall.
More about Abilene, Kansas
Abilene is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas with a population of 6,460 as of the 2020 census. The town is best known as the place former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower grew up and for its cowboy history.
It has been recognized as a "Best U.S. Small Town" by TravelAwards in 2021, the "#2 Best Historic Small Town" by USA Today in 2020, and the "#1 True Western Town of the Year" by TrueWest magazine in 2018, among other recognitions.
Other attractions in the town include:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
Eisenhower Park and Rose Garden
Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Old Abilene Town
Historic Seelye Mansion
Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering Saline County government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Come see the World's Largest Belt Buckle in Abilene, Kansas
