San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site

San Felipe de Austin was a colonial settlement founded in 1823, now preserved as a historic site with a museum, interpretive trails, and replica structures that show daily frontier life. The grounds display archaeological finds and period furnishings that illustrate how families lived during that era.

The settlement was established in 1823 under Mexican government permission, becoming a major center for American colonization in Texas. Residents destroyed the town in 1836 during the Texas Revolution to prevent it from becoming a military stronghold for opposing forces.

This settlement served as the heart of early American colonization in Texas, shaped by people seeking new opportunities under a foreign government. The layout and remaining structures reveal how families adapted to frontier life while maintaining cultural ties to their homeland.

The site is accessible by car with parking available and features both indoor museum space and outdoor trails for exploring. Plan to spend a few hours walking the grounds and reviewing displays to get a full understanding of the settlement.

Archaeological digs at the site have uncovered everyday items and tools that paint a picture of settler life before the town was burned. These discoveries help visitors understand what people left behind when they fled during the revolution.