Texas Porch

History / State historic site

San Felipe de Austin was the original capital of Texas's first Anglo colony

The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in Austin County preserves the townsite of the first colonial capital of Stephen F. Austin's settlement — burned by its own residents during the Texas Revolution and now open to the public with a museum and trails.

Austin County History & Culture

San Felipe de Austin was founded in 1823 as the capital of Stephen F. Austin's colony — the first large Anglo-American settlement in what is now Texas. By the mid-1830s it had become the second-largest commercial center in Texas after San Antonio, with stores, taverns, a hotel, a land office, and postal routes spreading in seven directions. It also hosted the colonial conventions of 1832 and 1833 and the November 1835 Consultation that created a provisional Texas government.

In the spring of 1836, as Santa Anna's army advanced, residents evacuated in what Texans call the Runaway Scrape. The military garrison then burned the town to prevent its use by Mexican forces. Though settlers returned after the Battle of San Jacinto, San Felipe never recovered its importance. The county seat shifted to the new town of Bellville in 1848.

The Texas Historical Commission operates the site today. The museum has artifacts from excavations, a field desk that belonged to Austin, and an 1830s printing press. Outdoor reconstructed buildings, a third of a mile of walking trails, and living history programs on Saturdays round out the visit. Admission is $10 for adults; children ages 6 to 17 pay $5, and children 5 and under are free. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is in the community of San Felipe, about 17 miles from Bellville.

Source to confirm: Texas Historical Commission — San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site

More Austin County notes

Property tax

Austin County has two separate property tax offices

The appraisal district values your property and collects taxes. The tax assessor-collector handles vehicle titles and registration. They are different offices at different addresses.

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Agriculture / Property tax

Productive land in Austin County can qualify for ag valuation

Landowners who farm, ranch, or manage land for wildlife may qualify for ag valuation (1-d-1). It taxes land on what it produces, not what it would sell for — often a much lower bill.

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Flood

The Brazos River forms the eastern edge of Austin County — and a real flood risk

The Brazos River runs along Austin County's eastern border. Property near the river and its tributaries can sit in a FEMA high-risk flood zone. That can mean required flood insurance and stricter building rules.

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State park / Outdoor recreation

Stephen F. Austin State Park offers camping and trails near the Brazos

Stephen F. Austin State Park sits along the Brazos River in San Felipe and offers year-round camping, five miles of trails, and easy access to the adjacent state historic site.

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