History
The Story of Stagecoach
Then & Now
Nestled along the Chisholm Trail, the Stagecoach Inn welcomed its first travelers as Salado House Hotel, then later as Shady Villa Hotel. Its storied halls bore witness to the comings and goings of legends like Sam Houston, Robert E. Lee, and the notorious Jesse James. Serving as a vital stop for stagecoaches, it became more than just a resting place; it became a piece of Texas history, being added as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1962. In 2024, The Stagecoach Inn & Restaurant will re-open with it’s original namesake welcoming travelers and locals alike.
The Golden Age
When Dion and Ruth Van Bibber breathed new life into the establishment in 1943, it was transformed into the beloved Stagecoach Inn we know today. Their vision transcended mere hospitality; Ruth’s dream of a Texas tearoom birthed culinary delights that would become the stuff of legend. Among them, the iconic tomato aspic, delicately adorned with a dollop of mayonnaise and a single caper, and the indulgent strawberry kiss, a heavenly confection of ice cream, baked meringue, and luscious strawberry sauce.
As the years rolled by, the Stagecoach Inn evolved, expanding its original structure to accommodate additional dining rooms and modern motel-style accommodations. Salado flourished alongside it. Main Street bustled with the opening of art galleries, while a boutique owned by former fashion model Grace Jones added a touch of glamor, attracting socialites from distant corners like New York and Washington, D.C.
Here, ranchers rubbed elbows with city dwellers, all gathering to savor the timeless flavors and warm hospitality of Ruth’s restaurant.
Watch
Salado, Texas
The Legend of Sirena
Stagecoach is adjacent to the village park, Sirena Park, and we share a parking lot. As is written on the placard there:
Once upon a time there was an Indian Maiden named Sirena, who wished to marry a young brave of her tribe. As she looked at her reflection in the water, she cried her wish out loud. A magical catfish told Sirena, “I’ll cast a spell on your brave so he will marry you, but you must agree to become a mermaid on the full moon for a year. But if human eyes ever see you in the moonlight you must remain a mermaid forever.” Sirena agreed to the spell and she married the brave. On the full moon, Sirena secretly dove into the water and swam as a mermaid with the old catfish. On the last full moon of the year, as Sirena swam she caught a fish hook in her fin. At that moment her husband walked to the water’s edge and saw Sirena as a mermaid. As their eyes met, the old catfish pulled Sirena back into the water to remain a mermaid forever.
The Legend of Sirena and sculpture of Sirena are attributed to local Salado artist Troy Kelley: https://troysculptor.com/sirena/
Timeline
1859
Thomas Jefferson Eubanks purchased Lot #10 from E.S.C. Robertson for $100
Nov. 30, 1860
Lot #10 becomes the Salado Hotel and it “entertained its first customer”
January 1861
Rumor has it that Sam Houston gave an anti-secession speech from what is now the patio of the Stagecoach Restaurant before sleeping in what is now the Ruth Room
June 1861
Thomas Eubanks enlists in the Confederate service at 50-years old and sells Salado Hotel to his brother-in-law for $1,500
March 1862
Jesse Bryant also enlists into Confederate service and sells Salado Hotel to William Buriage Armstrong, one of Salado’s earliest residents, for $1,500
1865-1867
Jack Green discovers a cave with a spring on the South side of the hotel; the cave was found to be cool year-round and was used to refrigerate goods
1867
William Armstrong sells to 25-year old Charles Stith for $2,500
1868
Charles Stith sells to his father, John, for $2,000
1872
John Stith sells a portion of Lot #10 to Dr. B.D. McKie
1874
John Stith sells Salado House, which it was now commonly referred to as, to Edward “Ed” Robinson Buckels at a public auction for $1,130
1887
Buckels sells to James McKandles for $5,400
1894
McKandles sells to W.T. Love
1900
Love sells to John and Josephine Farr
1902
Farr sells to Mary Olivia Rigsby
1908
The name of the hotel was changed to Shady Villa
1930-1933
Fred & Charles Stevens purchased Shady Villa Hotel
October 20, 1943
Ruth & Dion Van Bibber take ownership of Shady Villa Hotel for $250 down on a $6,000 agreement
1947
The Shady Villa Hotel changed names to Stagecoach Inn
1947
The Stagecoach Restaurant opened.
The infamous hushpuppies came into existence because of the need to buy time for Dion to run to the grocer and get the ingredients needed for each ticket as there was no menu, and guests ordered whatever dish they fancied at that moment.
1951
The Van Bibbers accept a $40k offer for the Inn from Waco couple George H. and Ethel Lane
1953
The Lanes and Van Bibbers both regretted their decisions and the Van Bibbers began leasing it back with an option to purchase
1954
Food critic Duncan Hines, also the creator and founder of the baking boxes that bear his name, review the “delectable” fried chicken and avocado grapefruit salad
1956
The Van Bibbers regained ownership of the Inn for $61,250
1959
Van Bibbers sell to Bill Bratton, Ruth’s nephew, for $100k but retain monthly salaries as restaurant managers
Construction of Interstate 35 began and would deter traffic West of Highway 81, a few acres away from the Stagecoach Restaurant
Stagecoach Restaurant stars in Life magazine feature “Roadside Inns and Their Fine Food,” which was a boon to Bratton’s investment seeking for his plan
February 1960
Bratton begins construction on the new hotel that would fill the acreage between the restaurant and the new interstate highway, creating a multi-faceted resort with access to each business from both sides
October 1960
New Stagecoach Inn and Restaurant opened to rave reviews, such as “…a tasteful blending of two different centuries.”
1963
The beloved hushpuppy recipe was first released to the public, yet had quite deliberately been altered slightly so they were good, but never as good as the ones you could get at the Stagecoach Restaurant
1983 - 1984
Rooms at the hotel increased to 66
May 1985
Dion Van Bibber passes, leaving $1k to 23 specifically-named Stagecoach employees
August 1999
Stagecoach Properties was sold to Morris Foster, the son of former Head of Maintenance Wilbur Foster
2015
Doors of The Stagecoach Inn and Restaurant closed
2017
Stagecoach Inn and Restaurant reopen under new ownership
2021
Hotel’s name changed back to Shady Villa Hotel
2024
Hotel’s name returned to Stagecoach Inn and Stagecoach Restaurant reopens after a year-long renovation