Stagecoach Inn in Salado is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Texas.
Salado (pronounced /səˈleɪdoʊ/) is a village in Bell County, Texas, United States. Salado was incorporated in 2003, before which point it was a census-designated place (CDP). The population of the CDP was 3,475 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The town is home to the Stagecoach Inn, the oldest continuously running hotel in Texas.
George Washington Baines, a prominent Baptist clergyman in three states and the maternal great-grandfather of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, lived in Salado in his last years. Baines' home is a national historic landmark.
Geography and natural history
Salado is located at 30°57′19″N 97°32′05″W / 30.955225°N 97.534610°W / 30.955225; -97.534610.[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 17.0 square miles (44.1 km2), all land.
Salado is located along the Balcones Fault, which causes the appearance of surface waters. The fault line is also a demarcation line for some species' natural ranges. For example, the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera occurs strictly west of Salado or the Balcones Fault.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,475 people, 1,382 households, and 1,112 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 204.2 people per square mile (78.8/km2). There were 1,465 housing units at an average density of 86.1/sq mi (33.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.37% White, 0.26% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.15% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.66% of the population.
There were 1,382 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.1% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,646, and the median income for a family was $70,667. Males had a median income of $48,098 versus $26,528 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,685. About 3.0% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
History
For more than 120 years of its history, the historic village of Salado thrived without a local city government. That is, until 2000 when the citizens of Salado overwhelmingly voted in favor of incorporation when faced with a looming threat of annexation by their neighbor to the north, Belton.
Charlotte Douglass was elected the first mayor of the Village of Salado along with aldermen Rick Ashe, Dr. Raymond Carver, Michael Cooper, Vic Means and Jackie Mills.
Current Officials
Mayor, Rick Ashe; Mayor pro tempore, Michael Cooper; Alderman, Suzi Epps; Alderman, Jackie Mills; Alderman, Merle Stalcup; Alderman, Curt Strong; Municipal Judge, Arthur C. "Cappy" Eads; Police Chief, Alan Rogers; City Secretary, Dianna Zulauf; Code Enforcement Officer, Bruno Mattarazzo[dated info]
Education
Salado is served by the Salado Independent School District. Salado schools are quite well-known for their UIL academics. The Eagles have had a long series of strong academic teams. Salado is also represented by a long-time winning sports program. Salado High School has won numerous state championships with its golf program, and the Baseball team won the 2008 State Championship. Salado High School won the 2008 Lone Star Cup.
Salado College was the first college in Bell County. It operated from 1860 until 1885.
Notable residents
Salado has been home to many esteemed individuals including authors, Liz Carpenter and A. C. Green, two Texas governors, James E. Ferguson and his wife, Miriam Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, and numerous historical figures, such as Sam Houston, General George Custer, and the notorious Texan outlaw, Sam Bass.
Salado was also home to Raymond and Lela Howard, an older married couple who disappeared (and were later found dead) and became the basis for the 1998 hit song "The Way" by Fastball.
See also
References
- Felda Davis Shanklin. 1960. Salado, Texas Bell, Belton, Texas
Line notes
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
