Originally constructed in the 1860s as Shady Villa, a small inn offering overnight respite to 19th-century travelers, then changed to the Stagecoach Inn, this hotel has continued to earn a reputation as a favorite destination for Texans over the last 150 years. The restored, two-story structure, located in the Brazos Trail Region community of Salado, with its gallery porch and second-story balustrade is considered one of the state’s best examples of surviving frontier architecture. It’s also a nice place to have dinner. Today, the Texas Historic Landmark serves meals to guests in the original Shady Villa structure while accommodating their overnight needs with modern conveniences in nearby contemporary lodging. A pool and free wireless internet are available at the Inn, which services 19th-century travelers pausing along the Chisholm Trail (which once ran down Salado’s main street).

Watch our Life on the Trail video to learn more about the Chisholm Trail in Texas. This video was produced for our Chisholm Trail mobile tour.