Remember When Abilene Voted To Go Wet And Then Impact Dried Up
I remember when I was able to vote for the very first time, I was a senior at Abilene High School. I really wasn't planning on voting, but it was my English teacher Mr. Abernathy that addressed the class about those of us that were 18 years old and could really make a difference in the outcome of the election.
While he never said vote this way or vote that way, he simply said "let your voice be heard." That last statement left a lasting impression on me because the election in 1978 in Abilene, Texas didn't matter who was running for office, it was more about whether we could buy liquor inside the city limits of Abilene.
How Many Exactly Voted Abilene Wet?
Besides back then it was legal for an 18-year-old to buy cigarettes and liquor, so it made sense for us to get out and vote. The election was so close that the city narrowly legalized liquor sales by a whopping 131-vote margin.
Up until then, if you wanted a bottle of whiskey, vodka, or rum, you'd make the mad dash to Impact, Texas on the northern Abilene city limits line. Within the 47 acres tiny town and its population of 60 plus residence, there stood two liquor stores and a grocery store.
Here's What Happened To Impact, Texas
After the legalization of liquor sales in Abilene, the neighbor to the north closed down and all that remains are memories and the buildings. If you want to go into Impact, Texas you'll see a sign that says "the roads are privately maintained" and the locked gates keep everybody out.
Two things I find curious, one is how many bars we have in Abilene now (see the list below.) The second is, that the Abilene City Council recently approved a task force to study a proposal allowing people to carry alcohol around with them downtown.
Here's a List Of Abilene's Bars and Pubs
- The Local - 250 Cypress
- The Zone - 4638 So.14th
- Firehouse Bar & Grill -2074 Butternut
- The Ugly Lime Tequila Bar - 4109 S. Danville
- Buffalo Wild Wings - 4401 Ridgemont Dr.
- Breakers Sports Bar - 1874 South Clack
- Mulligans Sports Bar - 1166 Ben Richie Dr.
- Cabaret Club - 1918 Butternut
- Guitars & Cadillacs 3881 Vine
- Blu Barrel Bar & Grill - 2534 S. Treadaway
- Chili's Bar & Grill - S. Clack & Hwy. 361
- Taylor County Taphouse - 3980 Catclaw
- Fuzzy's Taco Shop - Turner Plaza & Hwy. 351
- Outback - 4142 Ridgemount Dr.
- Heff's Burgers & Bars - In The Mall & Hwy.351
- Western Edge - 1841 S. Treadaway
- Remington's Restaurant - 4250 Ridgemont
- Copper Creek Restaurant - 4401 Loop 322
- Men's Club - 4425 Crawford Drive
- Blue Sky Burgers & Beer - 3602 Catclaw Dr.
- Spanky P's Tavern - 2442 S. 7th
- Lonestar Bar - 541 Arnold Blvd.
- Fat Bosses Pub - 216 Pine St.
- Homer's Bar - 4201 S. 1st
- Shooters - 1021 N.
- Fat Boys - 525 Arnold Blvd.
- The Whiskey Girl - 233 Hwy 80 East
- The Hollows - 258 Pine
- MC Sports Bar - 4025 N. 1st
- Shirts & Skins - 3525 N. 6th
- My Place - 5695 N. 1st St.
- Betty Roses Bar - 3934 Catclaw Dr.
- Hooters - 2042 E. Overland Tr.
- Allen Ridge - Judge Ely Blvd
- Texas Road House - 1381 S. Danville
- The Mill - 239 Locust
- Sky Luxury Lounge - 1082 S. 2nd.
- R Sports Bar - 721 S. 1st
- Amendment 21 - 382 Chesnut St.
- KAO Lounge - 137 B Oak St.
- Western Edge - 1841 S. Treadaway Blvd.
- Cypress Street Station - 158 Cypress St.
- Grain Theory - 202 Pine St. #201
- The Ice House at LSDG - 173 Walnut St.
- East 80 Boozery - 840 E. Hwy. 80
If I missed one, please let me know and we'll get it on the list.