Bastrop Property Management

Nicknamed “The Most Historic Small Town in Texas,” the city of Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and boasts a close-knit community of roughly 9,200 people.

And while it’ll never be as big or bustling as nearby Austin, it has no interest in living in the shadows of skyscrapers and big tech.

Bastrop area is proud to embrace a much slower pace – something that attracts many to this small town each year.

Bastrop is situated in the center of Bastrop County, directly adjacent to the lower portion of the Colorado River.

In fact, the downtown business district is located on the east bank of the river, whereas the city also extends over to the west side of the river.

The city is relatively small, with just 9.1 square miles.

Part of the appeal of Bastrop is its convenient location. It sits 33 miles southeast of downtown Austin, 92 miles northeast of San Antonio, and 133 miles northwest of Houston.

This means residents of Bastrop can be in three of Texas’ biggest cities within less than two hours.

Bastrop has a rich history. It was the temporary site for Spanish soldiers as early as 1804, when a fort was established in the area where the Old San Antonio Road intersected the Colorado River.

It was later named after Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch businessman and landowner who assisted Stephen F. Austin in obtaining a number of land grants.

The town was incorporated into the Republic of Texas in 1837. And up until 1862, dozens of buildings, local businesses, and homes were constructed in the area. However, a fire destroyed most of the town in 1862 – including the majority of commercial buildings and the county courthouse. As a result, most of the buildings in the downtown portion of the city now postdate the Civil War.

It might be a small town, but there’s still plenty for Bastrop residents to see, experience, and do. Here are some favorites:

Downtown Bastrop.

With a nickname like “The Most Historic Small Town in Texas,” Bastrop doesn’t disappoint. The downtown area is filled with historic charm, brick storefronts, shops, diners, museums, and more. It’s a great place to spend the weekend.

The Bastrop Opera House.

Looking for some live theater? The Bastrop Opera House has performances that rival many of the live theaters you’ll find in much larger towns and cities. The schedule usually includes a blend of musicals, theater performances, and tributes.

Bastrop State Park.

Get outside and enjoy the beautiful Texas weather. With seven miles of trails, Bastrop State Park has plenty for your family to enjoy. (There are even cabins and campsites for quick weekend getaways.)

Community Gardens.

The Bastrop Community Gardens are one of the coolest attractions. This community co-op is a partnership of local businesses and entrepreneurs. Each week, there’s an indoor/outdoor marketplace for shoppers and families to enjoy.

It was announced in the summer of 2020 that Tesla will be building a massive Gigafactory in southeastern Travis County, which is anticipated to bring 5,000 new jobs into the area.

Local officials also believe that the factory, which sits just a dozen miles from the Bastrop County line, will lead to other manufacturers and vendors coming to the area.

As a result, this will lead to opportunities to build more neighborhoods in and around the city.

“We do want to bring some of that – [so that the employees can live] in our city and in our county,” says Cameron Cox, CEO of the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation. “Once we get this study completed, there’s going to be a call between us and the county and the county economic development department to figure out how we can work together to leverage that and work to have those types of solid good developments in our county.”

Combined with the jobs and businesses spilling out of Austin, the injection of an entirely new industry into the Bastrop area will likely lead to an increased demand for property (and a subsequent increase in property values).