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SAN FELIPE — The origins of Texas find its roots in the rural areas around Colorado and Austin Counties that trace back to the Old 300 Settlers commissioned by Stephen F. Austin. Austin’s base of operations during Texas’ colonization was established in San Felipe, a smaller community south of Sealy. On Nov. 11, the town of San Felipe celebrated its 200th birthday with a special presentation at the San Felipe De Austin Museum that included a recreation of life during colonial Texas.
To celebrate the milestone, the San Felipe De Austin Museum displayed some new interactive exhibits with the history of the colony, as well as a physical re-creation of some of the buildings from the original settlement. Actors dressed in colonial garb displayed a glimpse at the daily lives of those in the colonies.
The town functioned as the main office for Austin as he led the colony of Texas and served as a mediator and correspondent with the Mexican government. Austin’s efforts bringing settlers to Texas created a large amount of wealth for those families that arrived, but not so much for his own personal fortune.
His role in colonizing Texas led to Austin being a well-respected figure that eventually vaulted him into a leadership role as the newly settled Texas residents looked to decide their fate: whether they would become a Mexican state or become an independent state.
Despite Austin’s initial efforts to help Texas become a state with the Mexican government, even going so far as learning Spanish and enforcing Mexican laws in the colony. Many people in the colony agreed with Austin as the original council voted 15-33 against claiming their independence as an individual government.
The colonists eventually felt alienated due to a push by President Santa Ana to strengthen the power of the centralized government and limiting the power of the states.
Stephen F. Austin was forced to be a leader of the local militia as the Mexican government committed to military action to forcibly take Texas after the outlaw of slavery in 1829 that many Texians took exception to or ignored.
San Felipe once again became important town in Texas history as Santa Ana looked to make it his headquarters during his military operation in Texas. Before Ana arrived in San Felipe, Captain Moseley Baker and Paschal P. Borden set fire to the town, destroying the city as part of the “Runaway Scrape” to prevent the Mexican army from using the materials and resources available in the town.
While Ana was occupied in San Felipe, the Texians battled to a decisive victory in the Battle of San Jacinto.
As the town celebrates its 200th year anniversary, the significance of its place in Texas history is one that finds its roots in the very beginnings of the state.
