Living in Salado, TX

Salado is a historic village in southern Bell County, about 50 miles north of downtown Austin. It's known for art galleries, shady streets along Salado Creek and some of the oldest buildings in Central Texas, and it still feels like a small town even with I-35 running right past it.

Getting around

I-35 runs through Salado, so it's an easy drive in either direction. Belton, the county seat, is about 9 miles north, with Temple and Killeen beyond it, and Fort Hood (renamed Fort Cavazos in 2023 and restored to the Fort Hood name in 2025) is within driving distance. Jarrell is about 9 miles south, and Georgetown is about 23 miles south.

Things to do

The Stagecoach Inn, built in 1861 on the Chisholm Trail and known as the oldest continuously operating hotel in Texas
Main Street, with art galleries, jewelry and craft shops, Salado Glassworks and the Salado Sculpture Garden at the north end
Salado Museum & College Park, with free admission and the ruins of historic Salado College next door
The Salado Christmas Stroll, a December tradition for more than 60 years
The Salado Scottish Gathering & Highland Games, a three-day festival of bagpipes, Celtic music and Scottish games held each fall

Schools

Salado is served by Salado ISD. Some homes outside the village fall in neighboring districts, so I always confirm the school assignment for a specific address.

Homes and acreage

Salado has a mix you don't see in many places: historic homes near Main Street, established neighborhoods with large lots and mature oaks, golf course homes, and acreage and estate properties in the surrounding countryside. Newer subdivisions have also been filling in around the village, so there's a range of home ages and price points to compare.

A little history

Salado was settled in the 1850s and grew up around Salado College, which opened in 1860 on land donated by Col. Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson. The village now has 19 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.