Pictured here is a shade shelter originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Bastrop State Park during the 1930s, which has become a symbol of the remarkable recovery of the popular Lost Pines park in Central Texas, from what became the most severe wildfire in Texas history that ravaged the area during last year’s Labor Day holiday. This photo timeline shows the CCC shelter just prior to the fire, immediately following the fire, and the reconstruction efforts currently going on today, one year later.

In honor of the one-year anniversary of the fire and its effects, the park and community will host various events Sept. 1-4, including exhibits, activities, tours and guided hikes at Bastrop State Park on Saturday, Sept, 1; the Burning Pine Run at Bastrop State Park on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 2; a commemorative devotional  service hosted by the Bastrop Ministerial Alliance at Bastrop Arts Center on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 2; potluck lunches on Monday Sept. 3 at area fire stations to honor first responders;  and a fundraiser dinner at Hyatt Lost Pines on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Although much of the state park’s 6,600 acres were impacted by the fire on some level, almost all of the park is fully open, including all designated campsites (many with water and electricity, and full hookups with water, electric and sewer connections); 7-8 miles of trails and bridges, the 10-acre lake and 18-hole golf course. In addition, all of the park’s 13 CCC-built cabins, dining hall refectory and swimming pool (operated by the Bastrop YMCA) are also open and operational.

For more information about Bastrop State Park and the scheduled events for Labor Day, call (512) 321-2101, or visit www.texasstateparks.org .

Images courtesy TPWD by Bryan Frazier and Chase Fountain