‘The Town That ...’

Texarkana’s frightening past could scare up future fortune

When it comes to movie making, most think of Hollywood, the film capital of the world.

But when talk turns to horror films, there’s another place that’s giving Tinsel Town a run for its money.

The Texas Tribune reported last month that more than 1,000 horror films have been filmed in Texas, second only to California. That Lone Star State’s diverse choice of urban and rural landscapes, a readily available pool of talent and state-sponsored financial incentives has made it a go-to spot for both big budget studio fare and no-money independent productions.

One of the more iconic films shot in the state is “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” filmed mostly in and around Bastrop. Fans still flock to the area to see the filming locations. And the area welcomes them — and the dollars they have to spend —with open arms. You can tour various filming sites and, when hunger strikes, head down to the sketchy gas station used in the film. It’s now a barbecue joint called the “We Slaughter” which offers food and a sort of mini-museum dedicated to the 1974 scary classic.

Every March there is a three-day horror genre film convention at the Bastrop Convention Center with screenings, vendors and celebrity guests. It attracts visitors from around the globe.

Texarkana could take a cue from Bastrop. We are, after all, “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.” There is enduring interest in the 1946 Phantom Killer case. And we have locations standing from both the original 1976 film and the 2014 sequel.

With the right ideas and marketing, it could become big. Nearby Jefferson goes all out for Mardi Gras, Hot Springs basically owns St. Patrick’s Day and Natchitoches is a monthlong Christmas hot spot. All draw thousands of visitors. If Texarkana made a real effort to tap into the market, well, what could be better than a Halloween fright fest in the actual Town That Dreaded Sundown?

Something to think about. And a year to get ideas and make plans.