San Felipe: San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site

Sculpture of man, woman, and two children walking with modern wooden building in background
Museum exhibit about printing with an early printing press

Press like the one used to print early newspapers at San Felipe.

Log cabin with a central breezeway

Stephen F. Austin’s home (reconstruction)

Pink granite monument with statue of Stephen F. Austin seated on top

Stephen F. Austin Monument

Portrait of Stephen F. Austin

Stephen F. Austin (Texas State Library and Archives)

Painting of a small village with a wide central grassy road lined with log cabins

San Felipe de Austin circa 1830 (San Jacinto Museum of History)

Painting of a group of men in a room raising their hands

Leaders at San Felipe de Austin debate motions for Independence (UTSA Special Collections Libraries)

San Felipe de Austin is the site where Stephen F. Austin established his colony in 1823. By the time of the Texas Revolution, it ranked second only to San Antonio as a commercial center.

San Felipe served as the capital of the Texas provisional government (until the capital was moved to Washington-on-the-Brazos in 1836). In March of that year, the town was burned to prevent it from falling into the hands of the advancing Mexican Army.

Among the museum's artifacts is a field desk that belonged to Stephen F. Austin, and interactive exhibits to help visitors learn more about the town's history. Interpretive panels throughout the grounds convey stories of the townsite. 

San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site

  • Hours: Daily, 9 a.m - 5 p.m.
  • Admission: Adult: $10, Seniors/Veterans: $8, Children 5-14: $5. See website for additional pricing. 
  • 15945 FM 1458, San Felipe, TX
  • 979-885-2181
  • Visit Website
  • National Register of Historic Places, a Texas Historical Commission property
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