San Felipe ( ), also known as San Felipe de Austin, is a town in Austin County, Texas, United States. The town was the social, economic, and political center of the early Stephen F. Austin colony. Its population was 691 at the 2020 census.

History

In 1823, John McFarland operated a ferry on the Brazos River near this location. In the fall of the same year, the site was chosen by Stephen F. Austin, with the help of Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, to be the main site in Texas for American colonization. Founded in 1824 as San Felipe de Austin, the town served as the capital of Stephen F. Austin's first colony and the founding site of the Texas Rangers.

By 1828, San Felipe had been surveyed, with Calle Commercio laid out as the main commercial street. Austin and his secretary, Samuel May Williams, both resided in log cabins on the square. Of about 30 buildings, at least one was a wood-framed structure. Also on the square was the tavern of Jonathan Peyton. Starting in 1830, James (Jack) Cummins operated a nearby lumber mill and grist mill, and about the same time, settlers raised livestock in the area.

Local residents dedicated the original townsite as a commemorative site in 1928. In 1940, the town of San Felipe donated most of the original townsite property to the state, which is now the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.

Geography

San Felipe is located in eastern Austin County at , along the west bank of the Brazos River. The town limits extend south below Interstate 10, with access at Exit 723. Sealy is to the west, and downtown Houston is to the east. Stephen F. Austin State Park is located in the northern part of the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is covered by water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, San Felipe has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Demographics

The population of the town was 747 at the 2010 census.

As of the census