Bastrop State Park
Encyclopedia
Bastrop State Park is a state park
in Bastrop County
in central Texas
. The park was established in 1938 and consists of stands of Loblolly Pines mixed with Post Oak and juniper
s.
in 1938. Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps
built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to blend with the landscape. The facilities were designed by architect Arthur Fehr
.
The State of Texas purchased an additional 1450 acres (586.8 ha) in 1979 and another 1000 acres (404.7 ha) in 2000 to expand the golf course
from 9 holes to 18 holes. Subsequent land purchases by the state in 2001 brought the park to its current size of 5926 acres (2,398.2 ha).
In September 2011, 96% of the park was burned by the Bastrop County Complex fire
. Only around 100 acres were saved. . Most CCC structures were saved, but were still threatened. The park was closed on September 4 due to the fire and did not reopen until December 2.
Bastrop State Park is 4 miles (6.4 km) to the west of Buescher State Park
, and the two are connected by a scenic road.
pines
by approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) of Post Oak (Quercus stellata) woodlands giving the Bastrop State Park Loblollies the nickname the "Lost Pines of Texas
."
In the forested areas, numerous species of fungi may be found.
on public land. Areas of the park are closed to the public during the toad's mating season in February, March and April. The park also has White-tailed deer
, rabbit
s, squirrel
s, Virginia Opossum
s and Nine-banded Armadillo
s. Northern Cardinal
s are one of the species of birds found in the park.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Bastrop County
Bastrop County, Texas
Bastrop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2006, the population was 71,700. Its county seat is Bastrop. Bastrop County is named for Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop , an early Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F...
in central Texas
Central Texas
Central Texas , is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos to Fredericksburg to Waco, and to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco metropolitan areas...
. The park was established in 1938 and consists of stands of Loblolly Pines mixed with Post Oak and juniper
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...
s.
History
Over 2000 acres (809.4 ha) for the park was donated to the state by the city of BastropBastrop, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there are 5340 people in Bastrop, organized into 2034 households and 1336 families. The population density is 734.8 people per square mile . There are 2,239 housing units at an average density of 308.1 per square mile...
in 1938. Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to blend with the landscape. The facilities were designed by architect Arthur Fehr
Arthur Fehr
Arthur Fehr, F.A.I.A. was a 20th century Texas architect who turned in mid-career from his traditional architectural education to the Modern or International style and was one of its first practitioners in Texas....
.
The State of Texas purchased an additional 1450 acres (586.8 ha) in 1979 and another 1000 acres (404.7 ha) in 2000 to expand the golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
from 9 holes to 18 holes. Subsequent land purchases by the state in 2001 brought the park to its current size of 5926 acres (2,398.2 ha).
In September 2011, 96% of the park was burned by the Bastrop County Complex fire
Bastrop County Complex fire
The Bastrop County Complex fire was a major wildfire that struck Bastrop County in the U.S. state of Texas in September 2011. The fire started on September 4, 2011, during Labor Day weekend, and burned east of the city of Bastrop. 1,645 homes were destroyed by the fire, making it the most...
. Only around 100 acres were saved. . Most CCC structures were saved, but were still threatened. The park was closed on September 4 due to the fire and did not reopen until December 2.
Features
The park's trails include an 8.5 miles (13.7 km) loop through the park's undeveloped area. There is also an 18-hole golf course, open all year round, which winds through the forest. There is a large swimming pool open during the summer months.Bastrop State Park is 4 miles (6.4 km) to the west of Buescher State Park
Buescher State Park
Buescher State Park is a state park located just north of Smithville, Texas. The park consists of of public land donated to the state by Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher, as well as the City of Smithville.-History:...
, and the two are connected by a scenic road.
Flora
The main feature of the park is the stands of Loblolly Pines (Pinus taeda). This pine woodland is isolated from the main body of East TexasEast Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
pines
Piney Woods
The Piney Woods is a temperate coniferous forest terrestrial ecoregion in the Southern United States covering of East Texas, southern Arkansas, western Louisiana, and southeastern Oklahoma. These coniferous forests are dominated by several species of pine as well as hardwoods including hickory and...
by approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) of Post Oak (Quercus stellata) woodlands giving the Bastrop State Park Loblollies the nickname the "Lost Pines of Texas
Lost Pines Forest
The Lost Pines Forest is a belt of loblolly pines near Bastrop in Central Texas. The stand of pines is unique in Texas because it is a disjunct population of trees that is more than separated from, and yet closely genetically related to, the vast expanse of pine trees of the East Texas Piney...
."
In the forested areas, numerous species of fungi may be found.
Fauna
Bastrop State Park is home to the largest mating group of the endangered Houston toadHouston toad
The Houston toad is an endangered species of amphibian that is endemic to Texas in the United States. This toad was discovered in the late 1940s and named in 1953...
on public land. Areas of the park are closed to the public during the toad's mating season in February, March and April. The park also has White-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s, squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
s, Virginia Opossum
Virginia Opossum
The Virginia opossum , commonly known as the North American opossum or tlacuache in Mexico, is the only marsupial found in North America north of Mexico. A solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat, and thus the largest opossum, it is a successful opportunist...
s and Nine-banded Armadillo
Nine-banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo , or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a species of armadillo found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos...
s. Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal or Redbird or Common Cardinal is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis. It can be found in southern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south through Mexico...
s are one of the species of birds found in the park.
See also
- List of Texas state parks
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bastrop County, TexasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bastrop County, TexasList of Registered Historic Places in Bastrop County, TexasThis is intended to be a complete list of properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Bastrop County, Texas...
External links
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Bastrop State Park
- Civilian Conservation Corps work on Texas State Parks
- Bastrop State Park Handbook of Texas OnlineHandbook of TexasThe Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...
- Bastrop State Park, Cabin No. 4, Bastrop, Bastrop County, TX: information at Historic American Building Survey
- Bastrop State Park, Refectory, Bastrop, Bastrop County, TX: more information at Historic American Building Survey