First Baptist Church of Salado
A Baptist revival was held on the banks of Salado Creek as early as 1854. By
about 1860, members of area Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of
Christ denominations were meeting in an ecumenical house of worship. Each group
held an all-day service on successive Sundays.
On May 25, 1864, eleven men and women organized the Salado Baptist Church of
Christ in the chapel of Salado College. Charter members of this group, later
renamed First Baptist Church of Salado, were James L. Smith, David Hair, Harvey
Chamberlain, Nannie Reed, Nellie Wemott, Sarah Hanford, Rachel Austin, Eva
Cockrill, Mary L. Cearnals, Nannie Wilkinson and Sallie Wilkinson. A training
union for young people soon followed. There were 19 additional members by June
1864 and 111 members by 1877. A two-story church and Masonic Hall on the north
bank of Salado Creek near Main Street was erected in 1878 on land donated by
Bell County pioneer and church member O. T. Tyler. Two years later, an
ecumenical tabernacle was erected behind the church.
The Baptist congregation sent missionaries C. Z and Kate (Crawford) Taylor to
Brazil in 1881. The Ladies' Aid Society, later the Women's Missionary Union and
then the Women's Ministry, was organized in 1889. This work continued in the
20th century, marked by the beginning of the ministry to Mary Hardin-Baylor
College in nearby Belton in 1958. Notable members of the First Baptist Church
of Salado include George W. Baines (the great-grandfather of President Lyndon
B. Johnson) who served as pastor and was later President of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Others were educators at Salado College and beloved community members. (2000)
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
Texas is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
The county was officially established in 1850 and named after Governor Peter H. Bell. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became the primary industry in the region, with the first cotton gin built in 1853. The county also became an important shipping point due to its proximity to the Chisholm Trail, which was used to drive cattle to markets in the north.
During the Civil War, Bell County played a significant role in supporting the Confederate cause. Several Confederate camps were established in the area, and the county experienced some military action, including the Battle of Stampede Valley in 1863. After the war, the county began to recover and diversify its economy. The railroad arrived in the late 19th century, bringing further growth and development.
In the 20th century, Bell County continued to experience growth and modernization. Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the country, was established in 1942. The presence of the military base provided a significant economic boost to the county and continues to be a major employer and contributor to the local economy. Today, Bell County is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and military-related industries.
Bell County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bell County, Texas.
- 1834 - Bell County is established by the Republic of Texas
- 1850 - The first permanent settlement, known as Nolanville, is established
- 1851 - A post office is established in the town of Belton
- 1852 - The county seat is moved from Nolanville to Belton
- 1858 - The Belton Female College is founded
- 1861-1865 - Bell County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War
- 1870 - The Houston and Texas Central Railway arrives in Bell County, boosting economic growth
- 1881 - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is founded in Belton
- 1892 - The town of Temple is established as a railroad town
- 1913 - The Santa Fe Railroad builds a major railroad station in Temple
- 1920s - Bell County experiences an oil boom
- 1957 - Construction begins on the Fort Hood military base
- 1980s - Bell County's economy diversifies with the growth of healthcare and technology industries
- 2005 - The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery is established in Killeen