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 Texas : Towns A-Z / Central Texas South : Bastrop

BASTROP, TEXAS

Over 125 historic structures

Bastrop County Seat, Central Texas South
Hwy 71
28 miles E of Austin
17 miles S of Elgin on Hwy 95
12 miles W of Smithville on Hwy 71

Population: 5,340 (2000) 4,044 (1990)

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Bastrop Old Iron Bridge construction


The Old Iron Bridge when it was new

Photo Courtesy of TXDoT
Bastrop Bridge
The Bastrop Bridge
TE photo, 1999
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.

Bastrop County Courthouse - next page
1891 Bastrop County jail Designed by architect Eugene T. Heiner, Bastrop, TX
The 1891 Bastrop County jail. Designed by architect Eugene T. Heiner, it was used until 1974. It is currently being used by the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December, 2007



Bastop old jail back view
TE Photo
Bastop jail hanging ring
TE Photo

The Bastrop museum is at the far southern end of Main St. Hours are 12 to 4 pm Monday - Friday and Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 5 pm.

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. Pick up a driving tour map, and continue down to Lock's Drugstore, another must see.

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

Bastrop Cemetery




Bastrop Cemetery

TE Photo

The 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.

Bastrop Opera House
Additional attractions include The Opera House
TE Photo

Bastrop 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...
  • Bastrop County Towns and Ghost Towns

    County Seat - Bastrop
    Bastrop County Courthouse
  • Elgin 
  • Jeddo
  • Kovar
  • McDade
  • McDuff
  • Oak Hill
  • Red Rock
  • Smithville  

    Bastrop Nearby Destinations
  • Bastrop State Park
  • Hwy 95 north 17 miles to Elgin.
  • Hwy 71 east 12 miles to Smithville

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

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    Bastrop Hotels
    Bastrop Christian Church ,   Bastrop Texas
    Bastrop Texas Christian Church
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2005
    More Texas Churches | Texas Towns
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