DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the early history of the city of Bastrop. Now, before we get to towns and courthouses and county seats, let's go back — way back — to when this stretch of Texas belonged to the Tonkawa and Comanche. Long before any white men arrived, this land was theirs.
Then, in 1691, the first Spanish explorers came through, crossin' this territory on their way to east Texas. And from that route, parts of what they called El Camino Real — the King's Highway — were blazed right through here. A major travel artery, and Bastrop was sitting square on it.
Here's why that mattered so much: El Camino Real crossed the Colorado River right here. That made this spot strategic in every sense of the word. So in 1805, they established a fort — Fort Puesta del Colorado — along with an accompanying community, founded specifically to protect commerce moving along that road.
A fort, a settlement, a river crossing. The bones of something important were already forming. Then comes 1825, and this area takes on a new identity — it's called Mina now, one of the first settlements in the colony of Stephen F.
Austin. Named for revolutionary leader Xavier Mina. In the years that followed, the community dug in deep.
Many members of its first one hundred families served in the Texas Revolution of 1836, then again in the Mexican War of 1846 to 1848, and they were active in the political life of both the Republic and the State of Texas. These were not people who sat on the sidelines. And then 1837 rolls around — a big year for this place.
When the town incorporated, the name changed from Mina to Bastrop, honoring the Baron de Bastrop, influential early land agent and statesman. Same year, the city was designated the county seat. New name, new standing, same stubborn piece of ground on the Colorado.
From 1851 to 1870, Bastrop served as the seat of Bastrop Military Academy, called an important Texas school — and in a young state still findin' its footing, that was no small thing. The first courthouse was built in 1853. And when the present courthouse went up in 1883, they built it on that same spot.
Same spot. Different century. That's Bastrop for you — it doesn't move, it just grows.
What the marker says
Long before white men arrived, this region was inhabited by Tonkawa and Comanche Indians. In 1691 the first Spanish explorers crossed this territory en route to east Texas. From their route, parts of "El Camino Real" (the King's Highway) were blazed, thus placing Bastrop on a major early travel artery. Because El Camino Real crossed the Colorado River here, this was a strategic spot. In 1805 the Fort "Puesta del Colorado" and accompanying community were founded here to protect commerce on the road. In 1825 this area became "Mina," one of the first settlements in the colony of Stephen F. Austin. It was named for revolutionary leader Xavier Mina. In the years that followed, many members of its first 100 families served in the Texas Revolution (1836), the Mexican War (1846-1848), and were active in political life in the Republic and State of Texas. In 1837 when the town incorporated, the name was changed to "Bastrop" to honor the Baron de Bastrop, influential early land agent and statesman. The city was also designated county seat in 1837. (1968) From 1851-1870, this was seat of Bastrop Military Academy, an important Texas school. First courthouse was built in 1853; present one in 1883 on the same spot. (1968)