It is quite possible that no other place in Abilene holds more history than the location of Everman Park as it was the site the original town lots were sold to form the town in 1880. The park has adapted with the changing culture from cowboys racing horses to home of modem artwork while remaining a reminder of our heritage as a railroad town.
On Thursday, March 26, 1914, Abilene City Commissioners gave approval to the naming of a park in downtown Abilene. The commissioners could look out the window of the North First Street offices of City Hall and see the park property being developed next to the Texas and Pacific depot and railway. The commissioners unanimously chose to honor an officer of the rail company, John Everman, by naming the small tract Everman Park. Everman arrived in Texas to head up a survey party working for the Great Northern Railroad before joining with the Texas & Pacific Railway, and rising to assistant general manager, a post he held for more than twenty years. Despite the Everman designation, the downtown park name did not generally catch on as residents and the newspaper continued to refer to the spot as the “T-P Lawn” -often spelling it out Tee Pee. In time, the official moniker of Everman was largely forgotten by most, although occasional newspaper articles democratically referred to it as “Everyman Park.” This changed with the renovations in the 1990’s and now it is known by all as Everman Park.
Today, Everman Park is known as a multi-use inviting place where the community seeks stimulation, fun, and respite from the world. It is home to six bronze sculptures of Dr.
Seuss characters; including The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Horton the elephant, Vertie the Turtle, The Grinch, and Sam-I-am. Two more sculptures, Childhood’s Great Adventure and The Man in the Moon, reside in the park inspired by the children’s author William Joyce. The sculptures are mounted for kids of all ages to play, interact, and pose for pictures. These pieces bring people to parks that wouldn’t normally or regularly visit, and provide inspiration in a less formal setting than a museum or gallery.
The park’s features create a natural backdrop due to overhanging tree canopy, vast colors, shapes and patterns. Photographers love it for weddings, graduations, and family shots because of the beauty of this park. The Children’s Art & Literacy Festival is held in Abilene attracting thousands from all over the world each year and has earned Abilene the designation of .,Storybook Capitol of Texas” by the Texas State Legislature. Everman Park and the sculptures found there are central to this event and designation.