Bastrop County is home to two New Deal murals commissioned under the Treasury Section of Fine Arts in the 1930s and 1940s. They are located in the historic post office buildings of Smithville and Elgin, which are part of Bastrop County.
Smithville: The Law—Texas Rangers
- Artist: Minette Teichmueller.
- Location: Smithville Post Office, 301 Main Street.
- Details: Painted in 1940, the oil-on-canvas mural depicts a scene featuring the Texas Rangers, a frequent subject in New Deal art in Texas. The Smithville Heritage Society takes great pride in the mural and helps preserve its excellent condition.
Elgin: Texas Farm
- Artist: Julius Woeltz.
- Location: Elgin Post Office, 21 North Avenue C.
- Details: Completed in 1940, the mural was painted by Texas artist Julius Woeltz, who was known for his American Scene paintings of daily rural and city life. Woeltz also painted murals for other Texas post offices and federal buildings in Amarillo and Benton.
These murals were part of the extensive New Deal art programs sponsored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration to boost morale and provide work for artists during the Great Depression.
The U.S. Treasury Department commissioned American artists to create these artworks for federal buildings, particularly post offices, around the country. The murals often depicted scenes of local interest, history, and industry, helping to bring high-quality art to the public.
