Salado, Texas – Frontier College Town
Nestled in the heart of Central Texas, the picturesque village of Salado holds a rich tapestry of history, woven from the threads of Native American settlements, frontier expansion, and a dedication to education that earned it the title of "Frontier College Town." Long before European settlers arrived, the area surrounding Salado Creek was a vital resource and gathering place for indigenous peoples. The story of Salado, Texas, begins with the whispers of ancient cultures drawn to the life-giving waters of the springs and creek.
The Tawakoni Indians, an indigenous group who called this land home, were the first to name the creek "Salado Springs," a testament to the slightly salty taste of the water. In their language, "Salado" meant "salty," a simple yet evocative descriptor of the area’s defining characteristic. Archaeological evidence suggests that even before the Tawakoni, Paleo-Indian tribes utilized these waters for sustenance and survival, leaving behind traces of their presence that echo through the millennia. These early inhabitants recognized the importance of this oasis in the Texas landscape, a place where life could flourish.
The year 1732 marks a significant point in the documented history of Salado, as Spanish explorer, soldier, and governor of Spanish Texas, Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos, is believed to have journeyed through the region. His westward expedition may have led him to the springs, offering a respite and a vital source of water for his party. While his visit may have been brief, it serves as an early example of European interaction with the land that would become Salado.
The arrival of Archibald Willingham in 1839 marked the beginning of permanent white settlement in the area. Willingham, one of Stephen F. Austin’s original Texas colonists, was drawn to the promise of fertile land and abundant resources. In 1848, his eldest son, Francis Marion Willingham, further solidified the family’s connection to the area by purchasing 320 acres of land along Salado Creek on his father’s behalf. This acquisition laid the foundation for the development of a community that would soon blossom into a thriving frontier town.
Two years later, in 1850, Archibald Willingham, along with two of his sons, made the permanent move to the land they had acquired. They constructed two log cabins, connected by a covered passage, approximately 100 yards west of where the iconic Stagecoach Inn would later stand. These simple dwellings served as the nucleus of a growing settlement, attracting other pioneers seeking new opportunities in the Texas wilderness. The cabins represented the hard work and determination of these early settlers, who carved a life for themselves out of the raw land.
As more individuals and families were drawn to the area, the settlement began to take shape. In 1852, the establishment of a post office marked a significant milestone, connecting the burgeoning community to the wider world. Salado also became a vital stage stop along the overland mail route between Austin and Waco, transforming it into a hub of activity and commerce. Stagecoaches carrying passengers and mail rumbled through the town, bringing news, goods, and travelers from far and wide.
Among the notable figures who passed through Salado during this era were Sam Houston, a pivotal figure in Texas history; Robert E. Lee, a future Confederate general; and Shanghai Pierce, a prominent cattleman. Their presence underscores the importance of Salado as a crossroads and a place of connection in the developing Texas landscape. In 1859, a military road followed the stage road, further enhancing the town’s accessibility and attracting even more people to the area.
October 1859 witnessed a pivotal moment in Salado‘s history: local landowner Colonel Sterling C. Robertson, a staunch advocate for education, donated 10 acres of land for the establishment of a college. He further contributed 90 acres to create an "official" townsite, divided into lots and sold for $5 each, with the proceeds earmarked for the construction of the college building. Despite slow initial sales, the vision of a higher education institution persisted.
On February 20, 1860, the first classes for Salado College were held in a temporary wooden structure, with Levi Tenney serving as the inaugural Principal. This marked a revolutionary moment, as Salado College was the first institution of higher learning in Texas to operate independently of church or state funding. Furthermore, in a departure from the norm, the college was co-educational, welcoming both male and female students.
The college quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence, attracting bright minds from across the state. In its first term, 75 students enrolled, eager to pursue a rigorous curriculum that emphasized fine arts, humanities, Greek, Latin, advanced mathematics, and literature. On July 4, 1860, the area’s Masonic Lodge laid the cornerstone for the college’s permanent two-story limestone building, symbolizing the community’s commitment to education. By the following year, enrollment had surged to 124 students. The high caliber of education offered by Salado College brought prestige and respect to the burgeoning town, solidifying its reputation as a center of learning.
In 1861, Thomas Jefferson Eubanks, recognizing the potential of the area, opened the Shady Villa Hotel after acquiring 2 ½ tracts of land from the townsite company in December 1859. The hotel served as a stage stop, providing lodging and sustenance to travelers passing through Salado. Over the years, it attracted a diverse clientele, including notable figures such as General George Armstrong Custer, Robert E. Lee, and Sam Houston. It also played host to notorious outlaws like the James Brothers and Sam Bass, adding a touch of Wild West lore to its history. Today, the Shady Villa Hotel, now known as the Stagecoach Inn, continues to operate as a dining room, holding the distinction of being the longest continuously operating Inn in Texas.
The same year the historic Inn opened, the outbreak of the Civil War cast a long shadow over the town, halting its rapid growth. Many of Salado‘s men answered the call to arms, joining the Confederate forces, including a company known as the "Salado Mounted Troops." The war years brought hardship and uncertainty to the community, as families were separated and resources were strained.
Those who returned from the war found their farms and businesses in disrepair. However, with characteristic resilience, they began the arduous process of rebuilding. Farms were replanted, businesses were restored and expanded, and the community slowly began to recover. Eleven mills were constructed along Salado Creek, harnessing its power to drive industry and prosperity. Of these mills, only Stinnett’s Mill remains, now a private residence, serving as a reminder of the town’s industrial past.
In 1866, Salado became a part of the historic Chisholm Trail, as thousands of head of cattle were driven through the town’s Main Street on their way to Kansas. This influx of cattle and cowboys brought both economic opportunities and challenges, as the town grappled with the realities of being a stop on the legendary cattle trail. The cattle drives continued for almost two decades, attracting a colorful cast of characters, including the infamous outlaw Sam Bass.
In 1867, Salado was incorporated, primarily to raise funds for the construction of a bridge across Salado Creek. While the bridge was successfully built, the formal organization of the town was short-lived, and no records were kept to document its officers. It would be over 130 years before the city was formally organized again, highlighting a period of relative autonomy and self-governance.
With Salado College’s attendance sometimes exceeding 300 students, a two-story annex was added to the school in 1871, reflecting the institution’s continued growth and success. From 1866 to 1872, the average number of students enrolled was 250, solidifying the college’s position as a leading educational institution in Texas.
The Panic of 1873, a nationwide financial crisis, had a significant impact on the agricultural community. In response, fraternal organizations known as the Grange emerged throughout the farm belt to protect the interests of farmers who were struggling with low prices, growing debt, and discriminatory treatment by the railroads. The first Grange in Texas was established in Salado in 1873, meeting in a two-story building across from the Salado College campus. While other Grange organizations eventually dwindled, the Salado Grange remained strong until the late 1880s, demonstrating the community’s commitment to agricultural cooperation. The building where they met now houses the Central Texas Area Museum, preserving a piece of Salado‘s agricultural history.
The Panic of 1873 also took its toll on Salado College, causing a sharp decline in enrollment. The rise of state-funded colleges further challenged the institution’s financial stability. The college faced potential foreclosure until Colonel Sterling C. Robertson stepped in to save it. Tragically, Robertson passed away in 1879, and the following year, in February, the school’s charter expired. A new corporation purchased the college, and it continued to operate for a few more years. However, it was not re-chartered, and no degrees were granted between 1880 and 1884. The college finally ceased operations in 1885, having operated for 25 years solely on tuition revenue, without the benefit of endowments. For the next five years, the Salado Public Schools utilized the buildings.
By the early 1880s, Salado boasted a thriving community, with seven churches, 14 stores, two hotels, two blacksmiths, three cotton gins, and a population of nearly 1,000 people. However, the arrival of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad in Temple in 1880 and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad in Belton drew much of the population closer to the railheads, leading to a decline in Salado.
In 1890, the old Salado College site became the home of Thomas Arnold High School, a private institution run by Dr. Samuel Jackson Jones, who had previously been associated with Salado College. Named after Thomas Arnold, the renowned headmaster of Rugby School in England, Dr. Jones and his wife Charlotte provided quality education at a time when public high schools were scarce. One of the high school’s first students, Miriam Amanda Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, went on to become the first female governor of Texas.
Unfortunately, the buildings were damaged by fires in 1901 and 1902 but were repaired and rebuilt each time, a testament to the community’s determination to preserve its educational heritage. The institution continued as a private high school until 1913, then served as Salado College again until 1919. When the college closed for the final time, the site was once again given to the Salado public school system. However, when it burned again in 1924, the city lacked the funds to rebuild, and its ruins were abandoned. By that time, the town’s population had dwindled to around 400 people. Locals attribute the three fires at the college to "suspicious" circumstances, but further details have been lost to history. In later years, the site was the subject of an archaeological survey. The ruins of the building have since been stabilized, and the site is open to the public. A bronze statue of the school’s benefactor, Colonel Robertson, stands at the site, a lasting tribute to his vision and generosity.
Despite the challenges, the community persevered, and the need for a school remained. Thanks to the generosity of William K. Hamblen, a site was provided, and the cornerstone was laid on September 20, 1924. The building served as a school for several decades before closing. In 1993, the red brick building was renovated and now serves as a community center, providing a space for gatherings and activities.
In the 1920s and ’30s, Salado struggled to survive, with a population of only around 200 people, teetering on the brink of becoming a ghost town. However, in 1945, Dion and Ruth Van Bibber purchased the old Shady Villa Hotel and renovated it, reopening it as the Stagecoach Inn. The Inn’s fine food and exceptional service attracted numerous visitors to the small town, sparking a revitalization. Later, a modern hotel was added to the site, drawing even more visitors, including Lyndon B. Johnson and his family. In 1960, a new residential development called Mill Creek Country Club, complete with a golf course, was built, attracting new residents to the area. In 1966, Salado Creek, a vital part of the area’s history, was designated the first Natural Landmark in Texas. Pace Park, located along the creek, features wagon wheel ruts visible in the limestone creek bed just north of the park, remnants of when Main Street was part of the Chisholm Trail.
Over time, more and more people renovated Salado’s historic buildings and started new businesses, transforming the small town into a mecca of antique shops, specialty stores, and historic sites. Visitors are drawn to the town’s numerous events held throughout the year and the recreational opportunities at nearby Lake Belton and Hollow Lake, the Mill Creek Golf Course, and the Inn.
As Salado grew and evolved, it attracted a diverse population, increasing from around 400 in 1950 to 3,500 today. Remarkably, Salado thrived without a city government for over 130 years. However, in 2000, faced with the looming threat of annexation by its neighbor to the north, Belton, the city overwhelmingly voted in favor of incorporation.
Today, 18 buildings in Salado are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the city boasts 23 Texas Historical Markers. Approximately 130 businesses cater to the needs of locals and tourists in the charming town of Salado. The city offers picturesque views of historic homes, the Salado United Methodist Church, Stinnett’s Mill, Summers Mill, the Denman Log Cabin, the Salado Cemetery, the ruins of the Salado College/Thomas Arnold High School, and the town’s most famed landmark, the 1860 Stagecoach Inn.