Students in the Honors College course Southern Gothic Storytelling at Texas State University traveled to The Gas Station, a gas station turned barbecue restaurant featured in the 1974 horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, in Bastrop on Halloween as part of their course work.

The course was first offered in Fall 2020 with the field trip starting in Fall 2021. Around Halloween, the class takes a trip to The Gas Station to coincide with the Southern horror unit.

“I enjoy bringing the class out there for the environment and the food,” said Jordan Morille, associate professor and director of Creative Arts in the Honors College. “It’s a significant spot because we spend some time talking about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in class and the students get a kick out of hanging out in one the most well-known filming locations. One year, the actor who played Jerry in the film was just hanging out eating lunch, so the students got to chat with him for a bit.”

This year, the trip fell on Halloween for the first time in years. While there, the class learned about Southern horror while being treated to barbecue in a unique environment thanks to The Gas Station staff and cooks.

“As a horror fan, seeing the site where some of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed was cool, especially with the visit being on Halloween,” said Paige Fossler, freshman English major. “It was immersive and paired well with the book we’re reading currently (Child of God by Cormac McCarthy). Morille’s lectures are always engaging, and it’s evident he cares about his students.”

Visit the Honors College webpage for more information about courses and programs.