Round Rock Stagecoach Inn
2020 Project: Round Rock Stagecoach Inn (Harris Stagecoach Inn)
Location: 750 Chisholm Trail Road, Round Rock Avenue, Round Rock, Texas. The inn sits on the top of a hill just northwest of Brushy Creek and the Round Rock. The Inn was relocated on April 27-29, 2018, from 901 Round Rock Avenue, Suite D, to save the Inn from demolition due to the RM 620 Road Safety Project. The Inn was built by John James (JJ) Harris from rocks quarried from the hill on which the Inn is located.
Built: C1848-1853
Owner: City of Round Rock
Threat: The Round Rock Stagecoach Inn is no longer in threat of demolition. The City of Round Rock hired Architexas to conduct a cost feasibility study to relocate the Inn and to serve as advisers during the relocation project. The final report was sent to the City on December 5, 2016. The report found two firms that said the Inn could be relocated safely. The Inn is in threat of non-use until funds are raised from the community to restore the inn. The future use of the Inn is to be determined. A suggested use of the inn is as a Round Rock Living History Events Center.
Relocation: The City of Round Rock hired Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction to relocate the RR Stagecoach Inn using Hotel Occupancy Taxes at approximately $800,000. The Subcontractor, H. D. Snow and Son House Moving, Inc , from Fort Worth, relocated the Inn on April 27-29, 2018. The relocation project is scheduled to be completed by September 1, 2018. The new additions to the Inn were demolished prior to the relocation.
Restoration/Reconstruction. Round Rock Preservation is helping the City of Round Rock raise $250,000 to restore the Inn so the Inn can be placed back into use. The City requests the public fund the restoration because the Inn cannot be placed back into use until the restoration process is complete. Round Rock Preservation is serving as the official fundraiser and is accepting donations and is conducting an engraved brick campaign to raise funds. The bricks will be installed by the City of Round Rock near the RR Stagecoach Inn once the Bathing Beach Project is constructed. The start of the Bathing Beach Project is unknown as the Parks and Recreation Department is waiting for approval of an important action.
The City Historic Preservation Office informs RR Preservation a design study is needed to determine how to proceed with the interior design of the roof to conceal the AC, insultation, and support needed for the roof. The estimated cost of the roof design is estimated to be $35,000. The city informs us that other work cannot proceed until the roof design is complete. Therefore, our goal is to raise $35,000 in the next 6 months to fund the design portion of the project. We need to show some love for the Inn so we can proceed with the interior reconstruction of the Inn.
RR Preservation meets with the City of Round Rock Historic Preservation Office, Parks Department, Plans Department, and Assist City Manager every other month to develop a plan for moving the Stagecoach Inn Restoration Project forward. The last meeting was held on Nov 5.
The Heritage Trail West Project construction contractor was approved by the RR City Council on June 25, 2020 and did not include funding for the RR Stagecoach Inn. The project does include the Bathing Beach Project (downsized), landscaping around the Inn and the installation of the Engraved Brick Display. The construction on the Heritage Trail West Project began on October 1, 2020, and is expected to take an estimated 18 months to complete. In the meantime fund raising continues to pay for portions of the restoration.
On 27 Oct 2021, RR Preservation has $46,934.51.00 donated by supporters for the restoration of the RR Stagecoach Inn Project. The Global Pandemic has hampered ability to conduct group-type fundraisers in 2021. Fundraising is continuing through this website, telephone calls and e-mails.
In September 2021, City Council approved in the RR City FY 2022 Budget an allocation annually of 3% from Hotel Occupancy Taxes and another $300,000.00 one time allocation for Historic Preservation Project purposes. RR Preservation will advocate for the restoration of the RR Stagecoach Inn as the first project from these funds.
Programs
Round Rock Preservation selects one historic preservation project each year & schedules programs and events to achieve the preservation goals of the project. We seek to reach an increasingly diverse audience through longtime favorites such as our special events & tours. Where possible, we will partner with local, state, and national preservation organizations and their events throughout the year. We always have an on-going historic preservation project, so keep an eye on our website posts, our blog, our Facebook pages, our e-newsletters and e-blasts to stay in the know.
Our 2021 Preservation Project is to partner with the City of Round and members of the Community to Restore/Reconstruction the Round Rock Statecoach Inn by helping fund the restoration of the Inn, so the City can reopen the door of the Inn to the public. The purpose and use of the Inn will be determined by the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department since the RR Stagecoach Inn now resides in the city's future Bathing Beach Park.
