Real Estate Photographer in Bastrop, TX

Once a quaint spot in the Lost Pines region of Central Texas, Bastrop has transformed in recent years from a sleepy stop off Interstate 21 into a bustling pseudo-suburb of Austin. It's now one of the many hubs of industry for the richest man in the world.

The area was named by Stephen F. Austin for a colorful figure in early Texas history (his real and assumed names are far longer, but for purposes of this story …), the Baron de Bastrop. The eponymous town was first settled by the Spanish at the turn of the 19th Century, with a fort established to protect a strategic crossing of the Colorado River on the Old San Antonio Road. Here's a quick guide on the growing Texas town:

Bastrop State Park

For decades, the main draw of Bastrop was the aforementioned lost pines. Eons ago, an ice age glacier transported a forest of loblolly pines from deep East Texas to their current home in Bastrop County, according to the Texas State Historical Association. On this visit, I was bound for Bastrop State Park, which is the epicenter of what looks like a fairy tale, magical forest of pines.

In 2011, a wildfire ripped through the area, decimating much of the old-growth pines. A decade and change later, while the scars of that fire remain, new growth has sprouted up and made the park a hidden gem in the state.

Things to eat in Bastrop

After a day walking trails and visiting Lake Bastrop, you'll need food, and downtown Bastrop has a ton of great options. Maxine's Cafe & Bakery is pretty much the preeminent breakfast stop in town. Serving up massive stacks of pancakes and overs, stuffed French toast platters, and a mean chicken-fried steak, this place is packed most mornings for good reason.

Paw Paw's Catfish House serves overflowing baskets of perfectly golden fried catfish (naturally) and shrimp. Go for one of their mason jar margaritas and decadent banana puddings, while you're at it.

After spending a day among the pines, however, my heart and belly were set on barbecue. Southside Market & Barbecue — Elgin's legendary spot for Texas 'cue — opened a Bastrop outpost in 2014. You'll find the Texas trinity, mouth-watering brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs – of the pork and beef variety – and some flat-out delicious sausage, along with turkey and pulled pork. My traveling partner and I indulged healthily.

Things to do in Bastrop

Make sure to check out shops and Instagram-worthy public art spots, like Found Fine Art with its bespoke collection of jewelry and objets d'art, or the Painted Porch Book Store, with its multitude of new and used volumes. Browsing or buying, you can't go wrong with either.

Cigar bars, game shops, and boutiques are also strewn throughout Bastrop's imminently strollable downtown.

I am torn by giving out so much information about a town I love that still flies under the radar, for the most part. However, my civic duty as a Texan compels me to tout the virtues of the land of the lost pines. Make a visit; you won't regret it.

The city of Bastrop wants a Texas State University campus or satellite instructional center within the community.

The details

Dori Kelley, business attraction, retention and expansion manager for the Bastrop Economic Development Corp., cited that the Texas State University System has previously expressed interest in expanding its footprint in Central Texas.

“Bastrop’s unique combination of historic charm, rapid population growth and economic expansion makes it an ideal location for consideration as a potential satellite instructional center or full campus,” she said in a staff report.

Kelley listed several major employers that call the city of Bastrop and the surrounding area home, including:

“A Texas State University campus in Bastrop would strengthen local and regional capacity for higher education, technical certification and professional advancement, while enhancing economic reliance and community development.”

Zooming in

During a Nov. 18 meeting, Bastrop City Council will vote on whether to allow Mayor Ishmael Harris to send a letter of support to Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System.

“As one of the most historic cities in Central Texas, Bastrop has become a hub for growth, innovation and opportunity—attracting a unique mix of global corporations, small businesses and creative entrepreneurs,” he said in a copy of the letter.

The outlook

Harris emphasized that a Texas State University campus in Bastrop would serve as a “catalyst for workforce development.”

“The university’s programs in technology, advanced manufacturing, health care, hospitality and education align perfectly with the city’s economic priorities and growing industry base," he said.

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Recent development news in Bastrop County includes an expansion of the SpaceX facility and a new solar farm being built across 900 acres. Read about these projects and more below.

SpaceX is expanding its footprint in Bastrop.

The facility at 858 FM 1209 in Bastrop will soon add 80,000 square feet to its existing office space—an estimated $8 million in upgrades, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Some context

In March, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that a $17.3 million grant was awarded to SpaceX through the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to assist with the expansion, which is expected to create more than 400 jobs.

“Texas connects the nation and the world with the most advanced technologies manufactured right here in our great state,” he said at the time. “I congratulate SpaceX on their more than $280 million investment in this Texas-sized expansion of their semiconductor [research and development] and advanced packaging facility in Bastrop.”

The outlook

Although the next phase of the project is for 80,000 square feet, SpaceX plans to add 1 million square feet to the facility—which will feature space for printed circuit boards, a semiconductor failure analysis lab and advanced packaging for panel level packaging—over the next three years, according to the governor’s office.

Construction is underway on RWE Clean Energy’s Waterloo Solar farm.

The development, which broke ground in March, will add to the German company’s portfolio of more than 170 operational facilities in the United States.

The details

Senior U.S. Manager Patricia Kakridas said the project, spread across 900 acres in western Bastrop County, will create 300 full-time jobs and have a maximum output of 200 megawatts of electricity—100% of which will be directed to Facebook’s parent company Meta.

“These collaborations enable us to continue investing in communities across America like Bastrop County, helping to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity,” Christoph Hunfeld, RWE’s chief commercial officer, said in a news release.

The outlook

Operation is scheduled to commence in late 2027, according to a document filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Developers with Iron Realty are aiming to build dozens of residential units and multiunit townhomes, as well as a 4,000-square-foot restaurant in Bastrop.

The details

Paradise Engineers is designing the project.

The nearly 7.4-acre property at 2002 Hwy. 95, Bastrop, which is currently vacant, is east of the Public Works Department and south of the Bastrop Youth Baseball and Softball Organization’s fields.

What residents are saying

Heather Green, a Bastrop resident, spoke in favor of the Crossing at 95 project during an Oct. 1 town hall meeting.

“We deserve to be able to go to a place right around the corner that feels like home,” she said. “I feel like the developers have been very forthcoming and flexible. There are a lot of things that we don’t have answers to, but this gives us some growth and it’s respectful of the people that are [already] there.”

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In 2024, Bastrop County Animal Services found families for 503 dogs. The number has since grown, with a current yearly adoption number of over 900 dogs.

While the adoption increase has helped the center, director Jill Gunn and animal services coordinator Wendy Ballard said the team is working hard to find more furry friends permanent homes in the Bastrop area.

What’s changing?

Over the past year, the shelter saw a 15.25% increase in intake, with 4,323 animals entering so far this year.

Gunn said one of the largest reasons for pets being dropped off at the shelter is financial troubles, including purchasing pet food, paying for vet bills and moving costs.

“Whatever their situation is, they're not able to take their animals with them for landlord issues, pet deposits,” Ballard said.

To alleviate these struggles, the shelter partners with Save An Angel, a program that offers low-cost spay and neuter services to the public.

The impact

Ballard said nearly all of the shelter’s dogs are medium- to large-breed, which tend to be the hardest to adopt. The shelter’s longest resident has been there three to four months, not including a fostered dog that has been in the system for more than a year.

The team shared a handful of stories showcasing influential memories since their time at the center.

One adopter, who walks on a prosthetic leg and was born with no hands, formed a bond with a three-legged kitten named June Bug. Other stories included dogs that have become trained companions for veterans living with PTSD.

“Sometimes you get bogged down with the sadness part of it,” Ballard said. “Seeing the sadness, some of the dogs that come in are in really bad condition. But then to see them turn around and have the best life ever, it just makes all the work worthwhile.”

Get involved

The shelter is in the process of building a new kennel building to increase the number of animals they are able to take in. Community members can support the center's growth by making a monetary donation on the shelter's website or purchasing items from the shelter's Amazon wishlist.

Whether a cat lover or a dog fanatic, volunteers for all animals are welcome to help the shelter clean, socialize animals, walk dogs and operate adoption events.

“We're all the same right here, you know,” Ballard said, pointing to her heart. “It's just really heartfelt to see no matter who you are, you can foster and volunteer for an animal shelter.”

Ballard said the pantry is exceptionally empty and is in need of community donations. Individuals can also help out by dropping off cat and dog food at the shelter’s community food pantry, which supplies free pet food to local pet owners and fosters.

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State and local officials were battling a wildfire Monday afternoon in Bastrop County as the region experiences elevated fire danger.

The “Pine Straw Fire” was located near Bastrop State Park east of Bastrop, near Park Road 1C and Alum Creek Road. The fire was about five acres in size and 15% contained as of noon, according to Reilly Ruggiero, a public information officer for the Texas A&M Forest Service.

By 4:30 p.m., TAMFS data showed the fire was two acres and 90% contained.

Ruggiero said the forest service was called in around 10 a.m. Monday to assist local firefighters from Bastrop and Smithville and was using heavy equipment to build containment lines around the fire. One structure had been lost. The fire started in a shed, according to Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire comes amid critical fire weather conditions which are expected to continue into Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio. The weather service issued a red flag warning for Tuesday for much of central, south and southeast Texas, including Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties. The warning is slated to be in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The weather service said a combination of gusty winds and low humidifies will lead to the fire risk.

“The return of moderate to breezy southerly flow with the continuation of a dry airmass over the area will combine to result in critical fire weather conditions during Tuesday across the majority of South Central Texas,” forecasters wrote. “Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

Most of Central Texas was also under a burn ban Monday, according to TAMFS data.