The Salado Historical Society is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the area and of the families that helped build this community. Their mission is “To locate, educate, and preserve the history and the historical integrity of the Village of Salado.”
Welcome To Salado, Texas where history is still alive.
Early settlers who came to the Salado area found fertile land and abundant springs. It was here that residents built homes, churches, a school, and businesses, including gristmills, hotels, stores, and a distillery. It is to them we owe a debt of gratitude for their vision, hard work, spirit and fortitude in carving the village of Salado out of the limestone and flowing springs you see around us today.
Many people visiting Salado say they love its history and that this history is what makes the village unique. These people are right: Salado’s historic significance has been acknowledged by the State of Texas and others as follows:
- 41 Registered Texas Historic Landmarks and Subjects marked with a plaque or a medallion.
These include people, places, cemeteries, and mills. (Designated with RTHL)
- 7 National Registry of Historic Places marked with plaques. (Designated with NRHP).
Additionally, some of the RTHL are also NRHP.
- 14 Salado Historical Society Landmarks (Designated with SHSL)
- 4 Texas Historic Cemeteries.
- 8 Water-driven Grist Mills along 9 miles of Salado Creek.
Only 2 marked with an NRHP plaque are still standing. One site is marked as RTHL.
These many markers recognize pioneers and places of historic significance in Salado. They are described on this web site.
How We Got to Where We are today
This area first called Salado Springs was part of the westward movement that brought pioneers from eastern states to Texas. The appeal of large tracts of fertile land was a major attraction. However, Salado offered something else few communities did: a college. In October of 1859 Col. E. S. C. Robertson donated 100 acres of land to build a college of which 90 acres were sold for town lots. The town was founded directly as a result of the establishment of the Salado College. Salado prospered as an educational and agricultural center for many decades. At one time a series of eight flour and grist mills were built on Salado Creek. Many of the historic homes and sites of early Salado are still an important part of this thriving, historic, village that you can see during your visit to Salado.
Salado Historical Society 1908 Church
Church of Christ
Founded in March 1859, this Church of Christ congregation first met in a brush arbor on the north bank of Salado Creek. The first two elders were James Anderson and J.W. Vickrey, both of whom were instrumental in the organization of Salado College. A frame sanctuary, erected on North Main Street in 1875 was destroyed by fire in 1908. A second frame structure served the congregation until 1961, when it was replaced by a brick sanctuary. A new building was erected in 1988. This church has served the people of Salado for over a century.
After months of planning and fundraising, the historic 1908 Old Church Place in Salado was successfully moved to a new location on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The relocation of the 115-year-old building is part of the Salado Historical Society's (SHS) efforts to preserve and promote the rich history of the village. The move of the 1908 Old Church Place is to reflect some of the first pioneers who helped build the village.
After months of extensive remodeling the 1908 church now occupies the space next to the Salado Historical Society Cabins. The building will soon be surrounded by gardens filled with Texas natives plants & trees that early settlers would have used for medicinal and culinary purposes. A memorial walkway lined with Texas native Redbud & Mexican Plum trees will lead the community to the front doors of the beautiful new community event center.
Support Salado Historical Society
Help us preserve the unique history of Salado, Texas
Your support and contributions will enable us to save the historic buildings of Salado. Your generous donation will allow our efforts to expand.