Buescher State Park

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History

stone pavilion surrounded by trees draped in Spanish moss
CCC-built pavilion

Located just north of Smithville in Bastrop County, Buescher State Park is named for Emil and Elizabeth Buescher. The Bueschers donated 318 acres of land to the state by 1936. After Emil Buescher's death, his heirs donated 318 more acres.

The state acquired the rest of the park’s land from the city of Smithville. The original park totaled 1,738 acres and opened in 1940.

The state later deeded about 700 of the acres to MD Anderson and UT Cancer Center. Today the park is 1,016.7 acres.

This parkland was part of Stephen F. Austin's colonial grant, and the Civilian Conservation Corps made the original park improvements. Learn more about their work here at The Look of Nature: Buescher. Pictured below is Company 1811, one of two companies that built Buescher and Bastrop state parks.

Historic photo of assembled CCC company divided by race

A scenic park road connects Buescher State Park with Bastrop State Park. It travels through the Lost Pines. These Lost Pines are a remnant of what scientists think was an extensive pine-oak forest covering much of Central Texas when Ice Age glaciers reigned to the north.

Learn more about the park by downloading Interpretive Guide to Bastrop and Buescher State Parks.

Explore A New Deal for Texas State Parks (e-book resource for teachers and students).