06/21/2026
Often called the “Father of Texas,” Stephen F. Austin played a central role in the region’s early settlement and its path to independence through his leadership and persistence.
Born into a politically engaged family, Austin carried forward his father Moses Austin’s plan to establish an Anglo colony in Texas. After Moses’s death in 1821, Stephen secured approval from the Mexican government and, by 1825, successfully settled the group known as the “Old Three Hundred.”
To support and govern this growing colony, Austin founded San Felipe de Austin in 1823 as its capital. The town quickly became the social, economic, and political center, with a small but diverse population, local businesses, postal routes, and early newspapers. By 1835, it was a प्रमुख commercial hub and hosted important conventions and the provisional government during the Texas Revolution.
After the fall of the Alamo, the town was evacuated and burned during the Runaway Scrape in 1836. Although residents returned and San Felipe was incorporated in 1837, it never regained its former stature; the county seat moved to Bellville in 1846, and much of the original townsite was later donated to the state in 1940.
Visitors today can explore San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site , which includes a townsite and museum that tells the story of early settlers and the early days of the revolution. You’ll find such artifacts as Stephen F. Austin’s field desk and an 1830s printing press.
Plan your visit: visitsanfelipedeaustin.com
