San Felipe

Known as the “Birthplace of Anglo-American Settlement in Texas,” San Felipe de Austin was named for Stephen F. Austin, who located his first Texas colonists here in 1823. The historic village was home of Texas’ first English-language newspaper (the “Gazette,” 1829), origin of the Texas postal system, and it saw the beginning of the legendary Texas Rangers. San Felipe was the location of hte Conventions of 1832 and 1833, and the Consultation of 1835 meetings that led to the Texas Declaration of Independence. The community was razed by fire and was occupied by Santa Anna’s invading Mexican army in 1836. It was then restored after the Texan victory at San Jacinto. The Stephen F. Austin Park Association operates an information center at the San Felipe Post Office where literature and information are available.

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 covering four-county area. For additional information and map, contact local information center.