CONTACT US
The Village of Salado was founded at the Old Military Road crossing of Salado Creek on October 8, 1859 coincident with the
founding of Salado College. Many of the leaders of Bell County had felt the need for the establishment of a fine school and very
quickly Salado became a viable settlement.
It developed both as an industrial and agricultural center with a gristmill within the town limits and 7 other mills within 9 miles on Salado Creek.
The first Grange in Texas was organized here in 1873, and Salado ranked second in size and importance in the
County until the early 1880s. Salado College attracted residents of education and refinement and gave prestige to the village. It operated
until 1885 with only the tuition of the students for support. From 1890 to 1913, a fine private school, Thomas Arnold High School, occupied
the old stone college building.
In 1884, Salado boasted of 7 churches, 14 stores, 2 hotels, 2 blacksmiths, and 3 cotton gins. After the railroads were built to the
north and east of Salado, the newly created towns drew most of the trade from here and Salado steadily declined. Population
dwindled from 900 in 1882 to 400 by 1914 and only slightly over 200 in 1950. Since that time, Salado has grown slowly and is recognized
as a very pleasant place to live and work. Eighteen of the old buildings here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Salado
has 23 Texas Historical Markers. The churches and organizations are carrying on the proud tradition
of the Salado Masonic Lodge, which provided 2 Grand Masters for the Texas Lodge in the late 1800s. Salado is honored to have
had a Rhodes Scholar among the graduates of Thomas Arnold School.
The Chisholm Trail came right up Main Street, and the stage lines that served Central Texas included Salado among their stops.
A wire cable suspension bridge, the first bridge built in the county, was built here in 1869 and stood until the great flood of 1900.
Salado Creek has always been a mighty force in the history of this area and it was designated the first recorded Natural Landmark
in Texas in 1966.
The revitalization of Salado began in the 1940s as the fame of the dining room of Stagecoach Inn spread. It continued with the
founding
of the Central Texas Area Museum in 1959 and the construction of the first new residential area, Mill Creek, in 1960. The
many shops catering to visitors have led to the popularity of Salado. Today Salado has approximately 130 businesses of many
kinds, adding to the charm of this small village.
To learn more about Salado's history, visit the ï Salado Historical Society ï web site. You may also
ask for the Driving Tour (CD or Cassette Tape - $5.00) prepared by the Salado Historical Society. It is available at the Civic Center
and many Salado Galleries, B&B’s, and restaurants.
- Patricia Lawshe Barton
The Village of Salado is the perfect place for a weekend get-a-way. With several bed and breakfasts and only a short drive up I35, between Waco and Austin, Texas, Salado has something for everyone.
Main Street and vicinity is a lively marketplace with over 60 shops and artists galleries. Whether you're in the mood for fine art, antiques, pottery, crafts, collectibles, Americana, southwest or south-of-the-border decor, handcrafted furniture, trendy or exclusive fashions, or gourmet foods and wines, you'll find something you love.
Visit the ï Salado Chamber of Commerce ï site for more about current-day Salado, including information about our restaurants, lodging, arts, shopping, and golfing.
711 COLLEGE HILL SALADO, TX 76571
LOCAL: 254.947.9099 - 1.888.8844
Our story:
We fell in love with Salado after several visits to the Inn of Salado and Inn on the Creek Bed & Breakfasts. We quit our jobs, moved to Salado and built Stonecreek Settlement Bed & Breakfast. After completing the B&B, we were able to purchase the property across the street. This property had one of the older houses built in Salado in the 1800's and belonged to Rod and Sheryl Russell, owners of the Bains House Bed & Breakfast. We now have two suites for overflow guests in this Salado historical home.
Thanks for visiting Stonecreek Settlement, Salado Bed & Breakfast.
Johnny and Jill Shipman
We fell in love with Salado after several visits to the Inn of Salado and Inn on the Creek Bed & Breakfasts. We quit our jobs, moved to Salado and built Stonecreek Settlement Bed & Breakfast. After completing the B&B, we were able to purchase the property across the street. This property had one of the older houses built in Salado in the 1800's and belonged to Rod and Sheryl Russell, owners of the Bains House Bed & Breakfast. We now have two suites for overflow guests in this Salado historical home.
Thanks for visiting Stonecreek Settlement, Salado Bed & Breakfast.
Johnny and Jill Shipman
