San Felipe de Austin

A new museum has burst forth on Texas history--

one that tells the story of the founding of

San Felipe, Texas--a small rural town outside

of West Houston.

If you ever travel west on I-10 , you barely notice

the sign that points you to San Felipe--never worth a stop

then except to see a few cabins of the past, 

but now, the San Felipe de Austin is a Must stop

to learn Texas of history beginnings.

You are greeted by a family of settlers (Part of

Austin's 300 families he was allowed to bring 

to the Texas frontier)

entering the museum front doors you find

a detail in the polished floor--enter and

learn

In 1823 Stephen F. Austin established San Felipe de

Austin as the capital for his colonization efforts in

Mexican Texas.  

from 1824-1836 this was the social, economic and 

political center of the Anglo colonies in Texas.  This

location served as the capital of the provisional government

of Texas

During the 1836 Texas Revolution citizens burned the town as

part of the 'runaway scrape' retreat from

Mexican General Santa Anna's army.

Here on this site, is a map of the town as it stood

before the fire--once the citizens left their burning

homes, they learned at a later date, that Santa Anna

had been defeated and he didn't make

it to San Felipe. They had nothing to come back to

so the town faded into Texas history

This museum tells a story that few know--the displays

are interesting and interactive--Here is a good example of

a walking wheel and a butter churn--few pieces (shards) of

the original establishment were

found during excavation. 

--

In one corner is an opportunity for students to

dress as colonists--I enjoyed seeing this small piece of

an overshot coverlet

An interactive map of the original town covers a

whole wall--there is the opportunity to push a button

and learn about that selection of the town

A printing press like the one used for San Felipe

newspaper is on display

A timeline crosses through one room

I can only think--this might have been the capital

of Texas if the residents hadn't taken the 

"runaway scrape" to extremes--the small town of

San Felipe rests with a large portion of the

freedom of Texas on its shoulders.