Tower Theatre

Bastrop got clearance for two WW2 era movie houses thanks to its proximity to Camp Swift about 8 miles away. The Texas had opened in March 13, 1942 and, two months later, the Tower opened May 26, 1942 with “Rings on Her Finger.” It hit its 50th Anniversary in 1992 was operated by Lee Roy Mitchell until January 31, 1996 when it burned well after “Jumanji” had played. But the Tower and the converted Opera House as the Strand proved to be the only two venues needed in the town of just over 2,000 residents with the Texas Theatre closing quickly.