Reports of grave robbing sends Sally Hardesty, her brother and some friends to check on an ancestor. After picking up and kicking out a creepy hitchhiker on the way home, they stop by the old family homestead and discover a nearby residence. Much to their dismay, it belongs to the cannibalistic Sawyer family. And you thought you had neighbor problems. One by one they fall prey to the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. Sally descends into madness as she chased, tormented and terrorized but manages to escape, never to be the same.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is hailed by many to be the greatest horror movie of all time. While my vote goes to Halloween (1978), the film delivers on all levels and is surprisingly light on gore. The franchise is still revving along ;-) and will probably see another reboot at some point. Special thanks to Paul Slattery at Then & Now Movie Locations for being a personal tour guide for some these locations.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed in Leander, Hutto, Bastrop and Round Rock, TX
Location: The Cemetery
Address: 400 N Bagdad Road, Leander, TX Bagdad Cemetery
Located near the east entrance...
Location: The Hitchhiker Gets Picked Up
Address: Across from 101 Farm to Market Road 685, Hutto, TX
Location: The Gas Station
Address: 1073 Texas 304, Bastrop, TX
"The Gas Station" is owned by a fan of the movie. After a long day of location hunting, you can sit down for some bbq, look at some props and even stay the night in one of their cabins. Unfortunately, I was there on a Monday when there were closed so I wasn't able to see the inside...
Location: The Grandparent's House
Address: Hester's Crossing Road & Country Road 172, Round Rock, TX
The grandparent's house was actually across the way from the original location of the Sawyer house. It burned down in the late 70s and this area has since gone under a major development...
Location: The Sawyer House
Address: 1010 King Court, Kingsland, TX
Today, the Sawyer House is the Grand Central Cafe, serving up delicious food made from fresh ingredients (insert visiting fans joke here). The house was moved from its original location in Round Rock in the late 90s. It's a bit of a haul off I-35 but definitely worth the trip. It's even more worth it if the place is open when you visit. Unfortunately, I had gone on a Tuesday when it wasn't. Note to fans - don't go early in the week to visit these locations. Luckily the door was glass, so I was able to at least get one iconic interior shot...
Location: The Sawyer House (Original Location)
Address: Hester's Crossing Road & Country Road 172, Round Rock, TX
Before being moved to Kingsland, here is where the house originally rested along with the road where Sally makes her getaway...
Locations Visited: October 2019
Such a shame you weren't able to get inside of the family house or gas station. You'll have to make a return trip sometime!!
ReplyDeleteA shame indeed. I'll have to live vicariously through your photos until I make it back.
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