Salado, Texas and The Stagecoach Inn

Salado, Texas is a town located between Waco and Austin along Interstate 35. I've had several opportunities to eat there and do a little shopping. It's a great little town full of southern charm. I thought I'd provide you with just a little history of the area in case you ever find yourself in the neighborhood.

• The area around Salado, Texas was once occupied for generations by native American Indian tribes, primarily the Tonkawas. ( See my hub about the Tonkawa Indians). Salado Creek provided them with clean clear water. Indian artifacts have been found in the area dating to the Archaic Period (6000 BC-500 AD). The creek was formed by spirngs along the Balcones Escarpment.

• The earliest known settler in the Salado Springs area was Archibald C. Willingham who purchased 320 acres in December 1848 from Col. E.S.C. Robertson, son of the empressario, Sterling C. Robertson. Willingham and his family built a log cabin which was later used by the Robertsons after they repurchased the land in January 1854. They lived in this cabin while their permanent home was built. Even today Robertson descendants own this beautiful Greek Revival property

• Thomas Jefferson Eubanks purchased 2.5 acres for $100 on December 3, 1860 that would become the location of The Stagecoach Inn. Lumber for the hotel was hauled in from Houston and East Texas.

• The property changed hands many times over the years. Names associated with the property, in no particular order include: Buckles, Stith, Tyler, Sawyer, Armstrong, Smith, McCandless, Eubanks, Douglas, Russell, Barb, Bass, Vannoy, Pharr, Ferguson, Belk, Moore, Rigsby and Stevens.

• Since most of the north-south travels through Texas were routed through this area, many people stopped there for food or a room for the night. General Sam Houston slept there and made an anti-secession speech from the balcony. General Robert E. Lee stayed there. General George Custer was a guest shortly after the Civil War. It is reported taht the notorioius James Brothers stayed there. Many noted names appeared on the register of the Inn that was stolen in 1944 and has never been recovered.

• The Stagecoach Inn was known for its speciality dishes such as fried bass, quail pie, squirrel dumplings and 'poke salad'.

• Dion & Ruth Van Bibbers were looking to establish a tea house in Salado in the early 1940s and bought and restored the Shady Villa Hotel and it beame known as the Stagecoach Inn restaurant. President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his family ate there. The Van Bibbers were known for having waitresses that recited the menu to you from memory and serving such greats as Southern fried chicken, cream gravy, hot biscuits and lemon pie. The waitresses today still recite the menu to you. They are known for their hushpuppies and Strawberry Kiss dessert.

• In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Van Bibbers began weekend tours aboard a stagecoach. The stagecoach now sits in front of the hotel and serves as a nice backdrop for photos. (See the top photo in this hub)

• For a period of time Eva Stevens served what she called "depression food". Things like fresh fish, smothered chicken, black-eyed peas and cold watermelon.

• There are 23 sites in the Salado are with State Historical Markers, including Salado Creek, which was the first Texas Natural Landmark to be designated by the Texas Historical Survey Committee.

• There are 21 bed & breakfasts in the area.

• Salado's Main Street and vicinity provides plenty of shopping choices with over 60 shops and artists' galleries.