ROUND ROCK, Texas — A piece of Round Rock history dating back to the 1800s is staying in the city.
The Old Round Rock Stagecoach Inn was moved to avoid demolition and has since been renovated. It is believed to be oldest stagecoach stop in Texas.
"It was an important stop for stagecoach travelers along the Chisholm Trail,” Round Rock Preservation's Judy Anderson said.
It’s now renovated with new wood flooring, a ceiling and a cedar roof. It was all done within the past year, but the original limestone remains on the building.
The building was first built by John Jay Harris between 1848 and 1853. Anderson said it was a stop for people between South Texas and Arkansas.
"Stagecoaches would stop here, change out their horses. Susana, John Jay’s wife, prepared meals so travelers could have something to eat," Anderson said.
It’s a very special place for Anderson. Her grandparents owned it from 1941 to 1957.
“This area was my grandparents’ bedroom when I was a child, so this was walled off. There was a door in that space right there," she said as she showed the space to KVUE.
Her parents even got married at the inn.
The building wasn't always in the current spot. Before now, it was up the road, on RM 620. During a road project, it avoided demolition in 2018 when crews moved it to a new spot on Chisholm Trail Road.
"It’s a setting that almost puts you back in time. It's lovely," said Round Rock resident Chris Lambert.
Crews are now working to put in a park around it, and across the street is a pedestrian bridge and a mile-long trail that goes around Round Rock. It is all part of the Heritage West Trail project.
A grand opening is set for Oct. 19 for the Stagecoach Inn.