Bastrop, Texas, Bastrop County seat. (original) (raw)

Over 125 historic structures

Bastrop County Seat, Central Texas South

30� 6' 43" N, 97� 19' 1" W (30.111944, -97.316944)

Hwy 71
30 miles SE of Austin
17 miles S of Elgin on Hwy 95
12 miles W of Smithville on Hwy 71
ZIP code 78602
Area codes 512, 737
Population: 9,242 Est. (2019)
7,218 (2010) 5,340 (2000) 4,044 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Bastrop Hotels

A Main Street that has appeared in many movies and TV movies, Bastrop's Main Street is a world and a half a mile away from the Highway businesses that are what most travelers think is Bastrop.

Crossing the Old Iron Bridge that spans the Colorado, you immediately know you aren't in the fast lane, or Kansas either.

Immediately to the right you'll find the Crossing, a pleasant escape where you can eat, drink, buy some clothing, baked goods and even launch a canoe. Bed and Breakfast accommodations are available. Walk along the river to Fisherman's Park or return for a stroll down Main Street.

Historic buildings

abound and there's even more in the residential areas. There's no Courthouse Square, but there's a Courthouse and a matching jail connected by catwalk.

The Bastrop Museum

In December, 2012 the Bastrop County Historical Society moved its museum and Visitor Center to 904 Main Street (in the downtown historic district). The Museum and Visitor Center are open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Travel brochures, maps and information can be obtained at the Visitor Center.

Take your time walking to the north end of Main. Restaurants, antique stores, shops and a "proper" bookstore (Main Street Books) with an excellent Texana section. The Chamber of Commerce is here too, at 927 Main.

One mile north of town is another interesting old iron bridge, but not celebrated like the one in town.

Bastrop Cemetery
TE Photo

Bastrop Cemetery is a good one, consult your driving tour. Nice hilltop view. Walk up the hill, don't drive especially if it's rained recently. It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't like to become a resident.

Additional attractions include The Opera House
TE Photo

Bastrop, Texas Chronicles

• Camp Swift
• Murder at Camp Swift 1942 - The Tragic Death of Little Lucy Maynard
• Withers by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales")
  Back in Texas' trail-driving days, a cow pony could cause a man an awful lot of worry - especially a horse with idiosyncrasies...
• Rafting Cotton from Bastrop to Matagorda by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales")
  Hard to imagine Bastrop as an inland port, but during the 1840s and continuing through the Civil War, Central Texans saw the Colorado River not so much as a source of drinking water or place to fish as a transportation artery connecting them with the Gulf of Mexico...
• A True Story of Texas Vengeance by Mike Cox
  Real or imagined, the tale's illustrative of life -- and violent death -- during Reconstruction, a period of continuing incivility following the decidedly uncivil Civil War.

Bastrop Nearby Destinations

• Bastrop State Park Bastrop Chamber of Commerce
  927 Main Street, 512-321-2419
  Website: www.bastropchamber.com

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.