Charlene Ochsner Carson Book order

Gristmills were once commonplace in Texas. There was hardly a river, a creek, or a stream without one. The purpose of the gristmill was to grind wheat into flour and corn into meal. Prior to the water-powered gristmill, grinding was a tedious, time-consuming task that was usually performed by hand using some type of mortar and pestle. When a gristmill began operating in an area, settlers from near and far traveled to the mill to have their grain ground. The gathering of these settlers and farmers at the mill was the beginning of many settlements that grew into the Texas towns of today. Many of these picturesque settings have become major tourist destinations.

Salado, a small village in Central Texas, enjoys a classic history. One of the first colleges in the state of Texas was founded at Salado. One of the village's first homes was a 22-room Classic Revival plantation house, which still sits today in the midst of a ranch covering several thousand acres. Other stately homes soon followed, many of them bearing historical markers today. Herds of cattle followed the Chisholm Trail across the spring-fed waters of Salado Creek. Dusty cowhands rested and ate their fill at the old Shady Villa Hotel. The stage stops at the hotel always brought excitement and, occasionally, renowned visitors such as Stephen F. Austin, Gen. Sam Houston, and Gen. Robert E. Lee.