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.
