20 Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Marker Information

Moses H. Denman built cabin 1867 (15 mi. NW), of hand-hewn, square cedar logs joined by wooden pegs; has fireplace of native stone; restored 1955. 

Location: Behind Salado Civic Center

Information from “Texas Historical Markers of Bell County” compiled by Susan and Ray Lanford

Built in 1872, by Edward R.A. Buckles, this I-plan vernacular house exhibits classical and Victorian detailing. Its two-story gallery features Doric columns on the ground level, which contrasts with the Victorian turned wood columns and balusters located above.

Location: Main Street at Thomas Arnold Road

Information from "History of Salado, Texas" compiled by MaryBelle Brown and Bill Kinnison

Built by Col. E.S.C. Robertson and wife, Mary Elizabeth (Dickey). Rare ante-bellum plantation complex, comprising home, servants quarters, land, family cemetery, stables. Still a working ranch. The house, occupied by fifth generation of Robertsons, is an example of Classical Revival style. Shows Palladian influence in its recessed porches and gallery rooms forming terminal pavilions balancing a central gabled portico. 

Location: 3/4 miles SW of Salado Post Office, Salado

Information from “Texas Historical Markers of Bell County” compiled by Susan and Ray Lanford

Built in 1870-72, this structure typifies the Greek Revival style with its symmetrical facade. The residence was constructed for former confederate officer Archibald Johnson Rose (1830-1903) and his large family. A prosperous farmer, Rose participated in state and community activities. He was a leader in the Grange movement and in efforts to improve the quality of education. Members of the Rose family owned this house for over 100 years. 

Location: Wm. Rose Way at Royal St., Salado

Information from “Texas Historical Markers of Bell County” compiled by Susan and Ray Lanford

Built in 1871 on land platted in the original town of Salado, the house is named for its two most prominent occupants: John Hendrickson, a master stone and brick mason; and William Jefferson Caskey, an active civic leader. John Hendrickson moved to Salado in 1866 after he formalized the entire construction of the first Texas State Capitol 1852-53 and General Land Office 1856. Apparently drawn to Salado for construction of Salado College, he also built the Barton House in 1866, Twelve Oaks in 1867-69, and assisted in the construction of the wire cable  suspension foot bridge over Salado Creek in  1870. 

In 1875 John Coffey Caskey served as justice of the peace and county commissioner, traded in real estate and helped develop good farming methods in the county. In 1882, his son, William J. Caskey and wife, Sarah, moved to Salado for their children’s education at Salado College. William was active in establishing Thomas Arnold High School, a member of the Salado Grange No. 1 (Patrons of Husbandry), and a Mason in the Salado Masonic Lodge. The First Baptist Church of Salado purchased the property for their first parsonage. The church owned the property until 1924. The House was subsequently owned by five more parties. It is completely restored and placed on the National Register  Historic Places in 1995. 

Home of ORVILLE THOMAS TYLER 1810 . . . 1856 Pioneer Texan--County Judge--member of the Legislature-President of the board of trustees of Salado College. Built in 1857 and one of the first houses built in Salado. It is on Main St. next to the First Baptist Church. Marker erected by the State of Texas 1936.

Dr. D. B. McKie turned to native limestone when he built his ell-plan, Greek Revival residence on the east bank of Salado Creek. Stone mason "Whiskey Jack" Hendrickson used hand-tooled, roughhewn limestone blocks quarried from a site near the creek in the construction of the house. Nestled in a grove of oaks, whence the name Twelve Oaks, the house features a symmetrical, three-bay front with dressed limestone quoins, double-hung windows with six over-six lights, and a central, double-door entrance with transom and sidelights.

After a series of revival meetings in the Salado College Chapel, the Baptist who gathered there on May 28, 1864, organized the Salado Baptist Church of Christ. Among the small group of eleven charter members was Jas. L. Smith, a professor at the Salado College. In 1878, O.T. Tyler donated the land and the growing congregation built a two-story church building jointly with the Masonic Lodge on the north bank of Salado Creek near Main Street.  The church met on the first floor and the lodge met on the second floor. In 1962, the congregation built a new church and dismantled the original building. The upper half was literally sawed off and moved to its current location on Church St. where the lodge continues to meet. The lower half was torn down. In 1879, they placed the bell tower in the cupola of the church. In 1964, they dedicated a new bell tower for former pastor, Rev. G.W. Baines. In addition to the Texas Historical Commission Marker placed in 2000 for the church, two other markers are at the church: Louisa Adeline (Addie) Barton, missionary to Mexico: and Kate and Zachary Taylor, missionaries to Brazil. 

Information from “History of Salado, Texas”  complied by MaryBelle Brown and Bill Kinnison

  James M. G. Davis, a prominent merchant who came from Alabama, built his house in 1874. This frame vernacular house was originally a double-pin dog run, typical of the architecture of this era. The Davis’ daughter, Felda Davis Shanklin, a graduate of Thomas Arnold High School, wrote a history of the people of Salado prized by local historians. The house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1983) does not have a marker visible. The house is on Pace Park Road (first house on left) on the north side of the creek.

  (Lenticular Truss Bridge) One of many patented truss designs developed by American inventors and engineers in the mid- to late-19th century, this 87-foot lenticular truss bridge represents an unusual truss type in the United States. The lenticular design features a curved top and bottom chord which forms a lens shape. Texas acquired at least a dozen truss bridges in the late 19th century. Four lenticular truss bridges were built in this area for $16,500 in 1889.  This bridge originally was located across Cowhouse Creek and later was moved to Dodd's Creek.  In 1990 the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Department of Transportation identified eight lenticular truss bridges surviving in Texas. Four of the spans were located in San Antonio; the other four were positioned on out-of-service roadways. The only examples of this rare bridge type west of the Mississippi, they are recognized as historically significant engineering structures. The Dodd's Creek bridge was moved to this site in 1997 to improve the flow of traffic, protect pedestrians and enhance the Salado Historic District. (2000). Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.