A large rock in front of a house with a message written on it that says, 'Texas First Stage Coach Stop, Round Rock Tour.' The house has a sloped roof and trees around it.

Stagecoach Inn

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, our Facebook pages, our e-newsletters and e-blasts to stay in the know.

The Stagecoach Inn Story

The public became aware in 2012 that the historic Round Rock Stagecoach Inn (the oldest surviving historic structure in Round Rock, Texas, built in 1848) was earmarked for demolition due to the Road Safety Project along RM 620 and Round Rock Avenue.

 

Public efforts to save the Inn from demolition began in 2012. These efforts included a Change.org petition and the nomination of the Inn as a Round Rock Local Legend.  Over 1,200 individuals signed the petition and Mayor Alan McGraw said "I don't want to be remembered as the mayor that tore down the Inn”.  In 2013 the Inn was added as a Round Rock Local Legend.  Transportation was directed to find a new home for the Inn. In 2016, Round Rock Preservation, a 501(c)(3) public charity was founded by Shirley and Donald Marquardt and Shirley and David Tynan to raise funds to "Save the Inn."

In April 2018, the City of Round Rock relocated the Inn from a hill on the southwest side of Brushy Creek (901 Round Rock Avenue, Suite D) to the northwest side of Brushy Creek along Chisholm Trail Road (750 Chisholm Trail Road).  The Inn was relocated from the south side of the round rock to the north side of the round rock, which helped retain the integrity of its original location.  The new location for the Inn is within the city's Chisholm Crossing Park and along the Heritage Trail West Project.  Prior to the relocation, all the new additions to the Inn were removed and only the original building was relocated.  

In 2023 the work for the rehabilitation of the Round Rock Stagecoach Inn began.  The Grand Opening of the Inn was held on October 19, 2024, which included the installation of the engraved bricks as part of the Heritage Trail West Project and landscaping around the Inn.  Over 250 guests attended the grand opening.  The decor and furnishings for the Inn have yet to be completed.  Round Rock Preservation continues to meet with City of Round Rock leaders bi-monthly to discuss the need to complete these issues so the Inn can be placed back into full use and to discuss the need for permanent parking spaces, a bathroom facility, permanent signage for the Inn, and the future use of the facility. 

After the relocation to 750 Chisholm Trail Road, the Round Rock Stagecoach Inn was boarded up in April 2018 awaiting its final restoration.  The construction contractor was hired on April 13, 2023.

Land owners (1841 Forward)

JJ Harris had 27 land transactions & it is unclear which deed is associated with the parcel for the RR Stagecoach Inn between 1863-1901;  However to the best I could conclude here are my findings:

 1841 - 1853     Jacob M. Harrell, Headright League

​ Circa 1851-53  JJ Harris built RR Stagecoach Inn        

 1853 - 1863     Thomas C. Oatts (Postmaster)

​ 1863 - 1880     John James (JJ) & Elizabeth (Tisdale)Harris

​ 1880-1907        John James (Jack) Jr.  & Anna Harris (Son of JJ Harris)

​ 1907 - 1907     Marcus Dee & Ella Surber (Carpenter)

1907 - 1932     Benjamin Chester (BC). Henrietta Richards (proprietor of stone quarry)

​ 1932-1941       Donald Lee Joseph (Author/Teacher)

​ 1941 - 1957     Harold & Sue Richards (Oil Operator)

​ 1957 - 1960     James Onus & Mary Barger (Accountant & Director of, State Security Board)

​ 1960 - 1984     Donald & Laura Davol (Rancher/Aircraft)

​ 1984 - 1997     Bedico Property Ltd (RR  Land Developer)

​ 1997 - 2005     George Transom III

​ 2005-2012       Back in Texas L.P.

​ Nov 2012        The City of Round Rock

​ Apr 2018   City of Round Rock relocated Inn from

                        901 Round Rock Avenue in the Commons 

Business Complex to 750 Chisholm Trail

                        Road within the grounds of the City's

                        future Bathing Beach Park.