Main Street Historical
Self-Guided Tour
SOUTH to NORTH (1 Mile)
11 TOTAL STOPS
Click the pictures to map the locations.
The Rich History of SALADO dates back between 1827 and 1836 when Empresario Sterling C. Robertson from Nashville, TN was given a land grant from Mexico to settle hundreds of families in Texas. The grant was one hundred miles wide and two hundred miles long. Robertsons' son, Elijah Sterling Robertson learned Spanish and assisted his father in legal matters. Elijah settled in SALADO in 1859 when he donated 10 acres for Salado College grounds and 90 acres to be sold to raise money for the college.
There are 19 buildings in SALADO on The National Register of Historic Buildings.
Salado College, built in 1860, was a significant structure in Salado. Now in ruins on a hill south of the creek, it originally stood two stories tall with the main entrance facing south. Today, only the west wall and northeast corner of the east wall remain amid piles of stone rubble from fires. Examination of the ruins reveals a surprising sophistication in construction, with once plastered stone walls scored to emulate smooth ashlar courses. In 1890, it became Thomas Arnold High School until 1918, and it was abandoned in 1924 following the third fire.(RTHL)
Salado Museum (Site #2)
The banks of Salado Creek have historically been an attractive site for settlement due to gushing limestone springs, abundant fish, flowers, and trees. Native Americans camped along its banks, and Spanish explorers gave it its name. The first Anglo-American settler, Archibald Willingham, built a log cabin in 1851. The College and town of Salado were established along the creek in 1860. At one time, the creek boasted eight mills, making it the county's industrial center.
The First Baptist Church congregation in Salado was established in 1864. In 1878, they constructed a two-story wooden building shared with the local Masonic Lodge 296, AF&AM, on land donated by O. T. Tyler. The Baptists occupied the first floor, while the Masons used the second floor. Later, the second floor was relocated to Church Street for the Masonic Lodge's use, while the lower half was demolished. The church also has markers for missionaries Louisa Adeline (Addie) Barton, and Kate and Zachary Taylor, who served in Mexico and Brazil, respectively.(RTHL)
The Tyler House, constructed in 1857, stands on Main Street across from the historic Anderson House, north of the creek. Both exhibit elements of the Greek Revival style in their overall structures and facades, but deviate from it in certain details, particularly their horizontally emphasized porticoes. These features, along with their proportions, differ from typical Greek Revival styles seen in Texas, suggesting the existing porticoes may not be original. The originally detached kitchen was later attached to the main structure around 1935, and in 1971, a one-story room was added to the north side for business expansion. (RTHL & NRHP)
The Anderson House, constructed in 1860 on an eight-acre plot, retains four acres of land. While it is in the Greek Revival style, some design details and proportions do not align with typical examples seen in Texas. The single, carved doors reflect Victorian architecture. Variations in siding and window styles between floors suggest the house was built in stages. It includes a single-story ell with an enclosed rear porch added in the mid-20th century, and a native limestone store built in 1860 on Main Street. James Anderson built the house for his wife, Elizabeth, and their children. Adjacent to the house is a native limestone building, also from 1860.(RTHL & NRHP)
The historic rock building, constructed in 1860 as part of the James B. Anderson home, was built using hand-cut limestone. Original features such as the fireplace, ceiling rafters, and front doors remain intact. In 1985, an additional side room was added using old lumber, initially serving as Anderson's office when he was Justice of the Peace. In 1882, the building was leased as the "Salado Saloon," causing concern among the community's ladies for the town's moral and cultural values. In response, they devised a strategy where pairs of women sat knitting in front of the saloon all day, preventing anyone from entering. This action led to the owner relocating to Holland and opening the "Salado Saloon" out of spite for the ladies' intervention.(RTHL includes the Anderson House next door)
The home, built in 1860 by Levi Tenney, a Presbyterian pastor and first president of Salado College, was inhabited by his family for approximately a year before his departure from the college. Despite its modest size, the one-story house exemplifies the Greek Revival style with its symmetrical design and proportions. An addition has been made to the rear of the structure, featuring dressed limestone blocks, a five-bay front facade, quoins, flat arches above double-hung windows with six-over-six lights, a projecting portico with cornice, and a flat roof supported by square columns. (NRHP)
The Armstrong-Adams House, constructed around 1868, is a modest yet exemplary Greek Revival structure. Made of dressed limestone blocks, its five-bay front showcases quoins, flat arches above double-hung windows with six-over-six lights, a projecting portico with cornice, and a flat roof supported by square columns. Built by local doctor David Armstrong between 1869 and 1872, he resided in the house with his wife, Julia. Dr. D. G. Adams was the second occupant. (RTHL, NRHP)
The W.R. Berry home, constructed in 1870 by J.W. Vickrey, was built from cut rock blocks with walls 20 inches thick and standing two stories high. By the turn of the century, three-quarters of the house was rock, except for the foundation, as some rocks were removed and utilized in other buildings owned by Mr. Berry. Notably, the Salado Bank was constructed entirely with rock from the W.R. Berry residence. The remaining rock walls were extended to the one-story cypress house currently serving as a boutique store. (SHSL) (NRHP)
The Hamblen homestead, built in 1868 by William and Alice Hamblen, stood on the site where the administrative offices of Salado Independent School District and Civic Center now stand. William served as a trustee for Salado College for 20 years. After his death, Alice donated the family homestead, along with 4.6 acres in 1924, for the construction of a new public school. The original home was demolished, and the current red school building was erected in its place. Adjacent to the building lies the Hamblen family cemetery.(RTHL)
In 1919, stockholders of the old college property unanimously voted to donate the grounds and buildings for use by Salado Public Schools. The aging facility served until 1924 when a fire destroyed it. Alice Joy Hamblen, widow of William K. Hamblen, generously donated the old family home, demolished to make way for a new brick facility constructed in 1924. After years as a school, it ceased public school use in 1979 and was restored by the community as Salado's Civic Center, now housing the school district offices. It is located at Main Street and Van Bibber Lane. (SHSL)
The Boles-Aiken Log Cabin, consisting of two rooms, dates back to the 1850s. Discovered within an old home in Salado during demolition in March 1986, it was dismantled and stored for four years until 1990. The Salado Historical Society then reconstructed and restored it to its current condition on the present site.
The cabin, originally constructed by Moses H. Denman in 1867 in Sparta, located 15 miles northwest of Salado, underwent restoration in 1955 in Belton. It was subsequently relocated to Troy before finding its current home in Salado.
The Captain Halley House, built around 1860 for Captain Halley's wife and eight children, is currently undergoing restoration. It features wood-frame construction with clapboard siding and an ell-shaped plan. The house displays Greek Revival symmetry and proportions, including five-bay fronts with double-hung windows featuring six-over-six lights, and pedimented two-story porticoes supported by square columns. Other typical features include simple cornice molding and a central entrance marked by double doors, transom, and sidelights.(RTHL, NRHP)
The Vickrey-Berry Carriage Barn and house were constructed around 1870 by John W. Vickrey. William M. Berry acquired the two-story rock house and barn eighteen years later. A windmill and raised water tank were situated between the house and barn. The barn, later referred to as a carriage house, stood out due to its upscale design, featuring large double doors to accommodate Mr. Berry's hearse. Contrary to rumors, the carriage house was not used as a funeral home; instead, Mr. Berry sold caskets from the second story of his mercantile store across Salado Creek. (SHSL)
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