Last updated: January 14, 2026
Place
Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center
Photo/Bastrop County Historical Society
Quick Facts
Location:
904 Main Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602
Significance:
Situated along El Camino Real de los Tejas right after it crossed the Colorado River with several sites designated by medallions.
Designation:
Intrepretive Center & Museum
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Located in the heart of downtown Bastrop on tree-lined Main Street, the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center is an official partner with El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail as an interpretive facility along the historic path. The trail itself runs right through downtown Bastrop, where the Colorado River crossing made this community a vital intersection of commerce, culture, and travel—so vital, in fact, that Bastrop was once considered as a possible capital of Texas.
The museum also honors Claudia Wilbarger Norvell, an influential Bastrop woman whose dedication was instrumental in securing the legacy of El Camino Real de los Tejas. In 1911, Norvell and the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Texas DAR) led the first effort to preserve the trail by securing state and private support to survey the route and place granite monuments every five miles along the trail. Many of these markers are still in place today, including six in Bastrop County.
Inside the award-winning museum, you can explore El Camino Real exhibit and the lives of some of its famous travelers including the Godfather of Texas, the Baron de Bastrop, the town's namesake, and Davy Crockett, who stayed the night here in Bastrop on his way to the Alamo.
Explore the fascinating history of Bastrop County beyond El Camino Real de los Tejas, including the Texas Revolution, coal mining at the turn of the century, Camp Swift, a World War II training camp, and the Bastrop County Complex Fire of 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history.
After touring the museum, enjoy self-guided walking tours of Bastrop County history medallions along El Camino Real de los Tejas and the Downtown district, as well as driving tours of Bastrop's historic homes and famous film locations in Bastrop County.
There are also plenty of historical buildings and locations to explore in the area including Bastrop County’s courthouse dating back to 1883 and Fairview Cemetery, the final resting place for 15 early Texas Rangers.
Whether you’re continuing your journey along El Camino Real or simply exploring Central Texas, make the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center your first stop! It is the perfect place to discover how Bastrop County’s rich history continues to shape Texas today.
Site Information
Location (The Bastrop County Museum, 904 Main St., is just 30 minutes from Austin via Hwy 71, about 2 hours from Houston via I-10 and Hwy 71, and 1.5 hours from San Antonio via I-10 and Hwy 304.)
Safety Considerations