Bastrop is a city in Bastrop County, Texas, and serves as the county seat, located along the Colorado River roughly 30 miles southeast of Austin. It is among the oldest municipalities in Texas, with roots stretching back to early Anglo settlement in the region, and its carefully preserved downtown reflects that long history. More than 130 documented historical sites are found in and around the center of town, and the historic district along the riverfront is filled with a blend of restored storefronts, shops, restaurants, and civic buildings. The city's defining natural feature is the Lost Pines, a stand of loblolly pines that is isolated from the main pine forests of East Texas by a wide stretch of drier country. This gives Bastrop a wooded, East Texas character distinct from much of the surrounding Hill Country and prairie. Bastrop State Park, one of the earliest Civilian Conservation Corps parks in Texas, protects a large portion of that pine landscape and has been a regional recreation destination for more than seven decades. Bastrop is also positioned directly in the path of Austin's eastward growth. Highway 71 provides a fast link to southeast Austin, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and major employment centers, which has drawn new residential development to the city's edges while the historic core holds its small-town character. The Colorado River runs through the community, supporting paddling and riverside parks, and the nearby Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort adds a resort component to the local economy. With about 14,000 residents, Bastrop has grown considerably from its small-town past while retaining a strong sense of identity as a historic river town. It appeals broadly to families seeking the Bastrop Independent School District, commuters who want a more spacious and affordable setting within reach of Austin, and retirees drawn to the river, the pines, and the slower pace.