Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 (1998) Filming Locations

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to Filming Locations

Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 (1998) Filming Locations

The Movie

"Some folks don't belong in a small town. Some folks don't belong anywhere else." That wisdom from a local sage serves as a cornerstone for the wonderfully nostalgic film Dancer, Texas Pop. 81. Four young men graduating from high school, in a class of five people, have all agreed to pull up stakes in their tiny town and head out to Los Angeles, California. Over the course of the graduation weekend, they’re forced to reconcile their desire to seek a new life against the comforting stability of their hometown roots.

This feel–good movie wasn’t a commercial success when it was originally released on May 1, 1998. However, Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 has since found fans who appreciate the slow-paced film for its complimentary depiction of small-town life, and the empathetic portrayal of friends who are conflicted about their plan to set off together into the larger world.

For an in-depth look at the making of the film, you’ll want to read author Alison Macor's book Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids: Thirty Years of Filmmaking in Austin, Texas. Macor delves into the early career of director Tim McCanlies, explores the history of the script's development and shares stories from the set. It's definitely worth reading to learn about the circuitous route a film can take as it moves from script to screen.

The Locations

   Dancer is a fictional town, and the movie was filmed in and around scenic Fort Davis, Texas.
   If you have any tips on locations that I missed, please contact me on the Grahm's Guide Facebook page.
   SPOILER ALERT: The descriptions below include plot points of the film. If you haven't seen the movie, it's available through Amazon.com.

The Silver Screen Sites page always does a terrific job of matching the on-screen images with the real-world locations, and their photo album of "'Dancer, Texas: Pop. 81' Location Photos" is well worth a look.

Oasis Filling Station
   The film opens as Keller Coleman (Breckin Meyer), Terrell Lee Lusk (Peter Facinelli), John Hemphill (Eddie Mills) and Squirrel (Ethan Embry) lounge in the middle of a lonesome stretch of road next to the Oasis Filling Station.
   The Oasis was a set built for the film, but it stood for many years along Ranch to Market Road (RM) 505, Fort Davis, TX 79734, where it fooled passersby who thought it had been a real gas station. The building was demolished sometime in 2005.
   Reference: I first learned the Oasis’ location in the book The Movie Lover's Tour of Texas: Reel-Life Rambles Through the Lone Star State by Veva Vonler, a terrific guide for filming location fans.

Oasis Filling Station

The site of the Oasis Filling station from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2015

The Oasis was on the North side of the road, opposite the gate seen here on the South side of the road

Oasis Filling Station

The site of the Oasis Filling station from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2015

Unluckily for me, a storm prevented me from matching my pictures with the shots on-screen.

Dancer High Graduation Podium

The site of the high school graduation from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Dancer High Graduation - Tossing Caps

The site of the high school graduation from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Dancer High Graduation Picnic

The site of the high school graduation picnic from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

"Gettin' By"

The site where two laconic cowboys talk in Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Dancer High School Graduation
   Vivian (Alexandra Holden), the only girl in the senior class joins the four boys on the podium for the graduation ceremony in front of Dancer High School. After the ceremony, the townspeople hold a picnic on the lawn.
   Rather than a school, the filming location is really the Jeff Davis County Courthouse, 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734.
   Reference: This is also covered in in the book The Movie Lover's Tour of Texas by Veva Vonler. Again, the Silver Screen Sites album of "'Dancer, Texas: Pop. 81' Location Photos" captures all of the angles.

The Church
   As in many small-towns, the church in Dancer is a focal point of social life, and many of the townspeople worship there on Sunday morning.
   The picturesque church is the First Presbyterian Church, 503 N Front St, Fort Davis, Texas, TX 79734, which is at the base of Sleeping Lion Mountain.
   Reference: The name of the church is seen on-screen, and it’s also mentioned in The Movie Lover's Tour of Texas by Veva Vonler.

Dancer, Texas - First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Dancer, Texas - Church Steps

The First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

House Across from the Church

The house across the street from the First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Keller takes a seat on the rock wall as the townspeople arrive at church

Dancer, Texas - Church Parking Lot

The First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

As Terrell Lee arrives, he gives a weak wave to Keller

Dancer, Texas - Church Chat

The First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

This is where Squirrel chats with Loretta after the service

Dancer, Texas - Church

The First Presbyterian Church from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

This is where Squirrel talks with Loretta

General Store and the main drag

The General Store from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

This shot shows the main road in Dancer, with the First Presbyterian Church in the distance

General Store Porch

The General Store from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Keller sits on the porch discussing his plans with Earl, and later some local men join the talk

Bus Stop

The Bus Stop from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

Bus Stop Close-up

The General Store from Dancer, Texas Pop. 81, as seen in July 2017

The General Store and the Bus Stop
   At the town’s general store Keller learns that there’s more to his town than he realized, thanks to some wisdom from the proprietor, Earl (Eddie Jones), as Keller considers whether he and any, or all, of the four boys are going to get on a bus on Monday.
   The general store filming location was 201 Front St, Fort Davis, TX 79734, and the bus stop is just across Alamo Street at 111 N Front St, Fort Davis, TX 79734. The bus stop location has been remodeled and now serves as county / district clerk offices.
   Reference: The Silver Screen Sites album of "'Dancer, Texas: Pop. 81' Location Photos" captures both locations as they appeared in 2008.

Travel Tips
The town of Fort Davis, Texas, Pop 1,201, takes its name from a U.S. Army fort established in 1854 which is now the Fort Davis National Historic Site. The remote town, located in Big Bend region of Texas, and 90 miles to the nearest hospital, seems perfect for playing isolated Dancer, Texas, and it’s worth the drive. If you get the chance, plan to be in town for their Independence Day celebration, the “Coolest 4th of July.”
When you head to the area, be sure to check out the food blog Because Food is What I Do for tips on what to eat in the area. I was fortunate to bump into this lovely author who uses her blog to share her articles from the Alpine Avalanche, local restaurant news and reviews and other food-related topics. Check it out.

Jeff Davis County Courthouse, as seen in July 2017

Grahm's Guideto Filming Locations