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BASTROP, TEXAS
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)
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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