The Ruins of Salado College in Salado, Texas

These rustic limestone ruins represent an early attempt to bring education to the wild frontier of Texas

Video: Walk around the ruins of Salado College with photographer Keith Dotson

Today, the quiet little village that sits alongside the meandering Salado Creek — and at the same time positioned on the frontage of the roaring, traffic-choked Interstate 35 — is known for its art galleries and boutiques.

But Salado was once a college town.

History of Salado, Texas

The first Anglo-American settlers to the area arrived in 1834, but by 1836, they had skedaddled away because of Indian raids and military incursions by the Mexican Army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

Evidence of Native American occupation going as far back as 15,500 years ago has been found in Salado.

The first permanent Anglo settlement began in 1850, with the first post office in 1852. The Chisholm Trail cattle drives came through here from 1866 – 1885.

And that brings us to the ruins of Salado College

On a hilltop amid the gnarly red oak and live oak trees are the broken remains of a large limestone building. This was at one time Salado College, incorporated by the State of Texas in 1860 to grant degrees to a co-educational student body — something that was unusual at that time.

It started out as a temporary wooden building in 1860 — students from out-of-own stayed with local families and teachers lived in tents — and the first cornerstone for the permanent limestone building was laid later that year.

Enrollment averaged 250 students a year and peaked at 307 in 1865.

Even though it was called a “college,” this was before the advent of public education in Texas and the college educated students of all ages.

Enrollment suffered during the Panic of 1873, which was called the “Long Depression” and was really America’s first great depression.

When the college lost its state charter, it continued on without granting degrees until 1885.

From 1895 until 1913 it was a private high school, and then it served as a public high school until 1924. The school burned and was rebuilt in 1901 and again in 1902. It burned again in 1924 and was never reopened.

Black and white photographs of the old limestone ruins of Salado College in Salado, Texas

All of these photographs are available as museum quality black and white photographic prints.