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Hospitality Accommodations of Texas

The Inn at Salado Bed and Breakfast resides in the historical Norton-Orgain House in the center of Salado, Bell County, Texas. An integral part of the historic fabric of Salado, the house was built circa 1871 by Mr. Edward R. A. Buckles, who was the owner of the famous Stagecoach Inn and one of the founders of the city. 

The Norton-Orgain House sits on a site believed to have been a part of the land that impresario Sterling C. Robertson contracted to settle in the 1820's. After disputes with Mexico, The Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas as to the ownership of the land, Elijah S. C. Robertson received title to approximately 1,280 acres which included the site upon which the house now sits. Historically, the site included a cistern in the rear and a picket fence between the house and the old Goodnight Cattle Trail. No remains of other structures have been found.

Prior to his ownership of the Norton-Orgain House, Nimrod Lindsay Norton had an illustrious history in Kentucky and Missouri. Norton was born in 1830 near Carlisle, Nicholas County, Kentucky.  His parents were also children of American pioneers who contributed to the American Revolution. After education at Fredonia Military Academy in western New York and at the Kentucky Military Institute, Norton moved to Missouri and began farming. The Civil War saw Norton organize a company of troops and rise to the rank of Colonel as a Field Staff Officer to General Sterling Price. In May of 1864, Norton was elected to serve as a Missouri representative in the Second Confederate States Congress. more...

John Orgain and his wife, Kate Alma, were significant figures in Salado and Central Texas throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. John Orgain was born in 1829 near Paris, Tennessee and after coming to Central Texas, he was considered to have been one of the founders of Salado in 1859 while managing the family farm near Hutto. After being wounded while seeing limited duty during the Civil War, Orgain returned to the Salado area to pursue businesses which included the Davis Mill and other enterprises with Captain Barbee. John Orgain was later instrumental in the organization of Thomas Arnold High School and served as County Superintendent of Schools in 1898. more...

It seems most fitting that the Norton-Orgain house should be recognized with a Texas Historical Marker. The house, a fine example of the Greek Revival style in Central Texas, is an integral part of the historic community of Salado, and was the home for many years of individuals who made very significant contributions to the growth and development of the State of Texas.