Established in 1832, Bastrop’s historical roots run deep. Over 130 buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places earned Bastrop the unofficial title of “Most Historic Small Town in Texas.” In 2010 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Bastrop to its prestigious list of Distinctive Destinations™ in the United States. Nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, the historic district is filled with a variety of shops and restaurants. The quaint ambiance of downtown is complemented by nearby neighborhoods of well-preserved historic homes.
Proud of its tie to early Texas history, Bastrop boasts three early settlers who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, several died at the Alamo, the town evacuated during the Runaway Scrape, and 60 men are recorded as having fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. The town, destroyed during the Runaway Scrape and later rebuilt, was named Bastrop in 1837 by the newly established Congress of the Republic of Texas.
Today, Main Street is lined with century-old structures housing antique shops, specialty stores and great restaurants. The 1889 Opera House continues to offer live entertainment. The ‘Old Town’ Visitor Center is located in the restored 1889 First National Bank Building and the Bastrop County Historical Museum is located in an 1850 historic home on the banks of the Colorado River. Fisherman’s Park provides access to the river for fishing or kayaking. Many of the historic homes house bed-and-breakfast inns that recall the elegance of another period. Bastrop State Park (also listed on the National Register) is nearby with majestic pine trees and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings from the 1930s. The area is home to excellent golf courses, and the new Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is minutes away. Bastrop, Texas…come for a visit, we’ll capture your heart!
Design by Grayson Hjaltalin
Data by Cindye Wolford, Christina Morris