Texas in Review:  Like a little old lady in a poke bonnet, lace dress, and button slippers, the quaint little town of Salado can trace its origin back to another era in another century.  Salado lies on US Highway 81, north of Austin, and just 16 miles south of Temple. Highway 81 is now being rebuilt.  Its new route will bypass Salado.  What will happen to the town when all the traffic is gone?  Chances are that Sanado will remain the same,  changing little with the coming years.  But traveling Texans will miss this interesting town if they take the new road  instead of taking a short scenic detour via old 81. Heading south, the first part of the tour should include Rippling Salado Creek.  The town was named for this stream.  Many bubbling springs feed the creek with cool, pure water.  It is believed that the plentiful water supply prompted settlers to establish the town here.  On this approximate site, the first footbridge in Texas was constructed.  At one time, the swift running little creek boasted dozens of water-powered grist mills.  Only one reminder of that bygone industry is left in Salado.  It is the tree-shaded site of Old Davis Mill. Colonel Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson built a home in Salado in 1856. It  is still standing in all its century-old glory,  and descendants of Colonel Robertson now reside in the 22-room mansion.  Colonel Robertson's grave behind the home is marked with the tallest stone in the family graveyard. Slave quarters attached to the white frame structure betray the home's real age. Antebellum Texas is written in the architecture. which has been unsealed by modern remodeling. The home's kitchen dining service wing is constructed of native limestone.  During the spring, the Robertson home is open to visitors for a small admission charge. But only those people who take the time to use the old road will see this interesting Salado home.  Inside the house,  it can be seen that time has not taken its toll of the old.  The 101-year-old original staircase is used daily by the occupants. Its tread is from the hardwood of yellow pine.  Handmade pedestals and yule posts adorn the steps. If the visitor should want to wander through what was once called Sterling's Castle,  one of Colonel Robertson's descendants  would more than likely enumerate tales concerning many of the original furnishings used in the house.  Those interested would be shown documents and papers that played a part in the life of Colonel E.S.C. Robertson. Over 10,000 priceless documents are exhibited in the spring months,  together with rare books,  silver, glassware, guns, and china. Colonel Robertson was a man of culture and a benefactor to education. He donated 100 acres of land on which Salado College was built. Truly this town presents a vision of the past. Back in 1859, before the Civil War, Salado College, whose ruins stand proudly by the present route of U.S. 81, was a famous school. Two governors and scores of other prominent Texans were among its alumni. The old school perched above the city on a rocky knoll as if it were an acropolis.  This location and the high quality of teaching  gave Salado the title of Athens of Texas.  The history of the school is unique in that it operated for a 24-year period with tuition as its only source of income. Salado College was destroyed three times by fire.  It was never rebuilt after a blaze in 1924. From the old college site, Salado unfolds in all its historic charm. This little town in Bell County is populated by 210 happy citizens,  some of whom remember the stagecoach inn  as Shady Villa.  Shady Villa was built about 1838 as a rest stop and overnight point on the Pony Express and Overland Mail Route. The old building still houses the century-old innkeeping business.  It is now primarily a dining room,  operated by Dion Van Biber.  A few of the original rooms are available to guests, mostly for the sake of tradition. Near the end is a cave containing a flowing spring,  the water from which is now piped to the end.  In the wilder days of Texas, the cave, with its good supply of water,  is reputed to have been used as a refuge by Sam Bass and other outlaws.  The cave is said to have been furnished at one time with sleeping facilities.  Famous Lone Star State Patriots also use the end in its cave.  Some of them were Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, and Generals Custer and Lee. Both the cave and stage coach inn are located just off the present highway. Soon a new superhighway will bypass Salado and all its history and charm.  But on the new thoroughfare there will be a marker that reads,  To Salado.  Take that short detour and discover for yourself  Old Salado,  a town that time has spared.