Region: Prairies and Lakes
Known as the "Birthplace of Anglo-American Settlement in Texas," San Felipe
de Austin was named for Stephen F. Austin, who settled his first group of Texas
colonists here in 1823. The historic village was home to Texas' first
English-language newspaper (the Gazette, 1829), the origin of the Texas postal
system and saw the beginning of the legendary Texas Rangers. It was the site of
the Conventions of 1832 and 1833, as well as the Consultation of 1835—meetings
that led to Texas' Declaration of Independence. The community was razed by fire
and occupied by Santa Anna's invading Mexican army in 1836, but it was restored
after the Texans' victory at San Jacinto. The Stephen F. Austin Park Association
operates an information center at the San Felipe Post Office.
San Felipe lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting
the state's heartland to coastal ports.
The city is a pivotal point on the Texas Pioneer Trail, which traverses a
four-county area.