San Felipe, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Felipe, Texas
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San Felipe Post Office
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Location of San Felipe, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Austin |
| Incorporated | November 18, 1837 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.82 sq mi (22.42 km2) |
| • Land | 8.52 sq mi (21.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.30 sq mi (0.77 km2) |
| Elevation | 154 ft (47 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 691 |
| • Density | 78.34/sq mi (30.821/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77473
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| Area code(s) | 979 |
| FIPS code | 48-65372 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1346329 |
San Felipe (pronounced SAN fi-LEEP), also known as San Felipe de Austin, is a small town in Austin County, Texas, United States. It was once a very important place in the early days of the Stephen F. Austin colony. This colony was a group of American settlers who came to live in Texas. In 2020, the town had 691 people living there.
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A Look at San Felipe's Past
In 1823, a man named John McFarland ran a ferry boat across the Brazos River near where San Felipe is today. Later that year, Stephen F. Austin chose this spot to be the main center for American settlers coming to Texas. He got help from Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop to pick the location.
San Felipe de Austin was founded in 1824. It became the capital city of Stephen F. Austin's first colony. It was also the place where the Texas Rangers were first formed. The Texas Rangers are a famous law enforcement group.
By 1828, the town had been mapped out. Calle Commercio was its main street for businesses. Stephen F. Austin and his secretary, Samuel May Williams, lived in simple log cabins. The town had about 30 buildings, including a tavern. Around 1830, a man named James (Jack) Cummins opened a lumber mill and a grist mill nearby. Settlers in the area also started raising farm animals.
By 1835, San Felipe was growing, and its population reached about 600 people. It had the first post office in Texas and one of the first newspapers. It was also a major center for trade, second only to San Antonio in Texas.
Important meetings for Texas's future were held here. These included the Texas conventions of 1832 and 1833, and the Consultation in November 1835. San Felipe served as the capital for the temporary government of Texas until 1836.
In 1836, during the Texas Revolution, the town was burned down. This was done to stop the Mexican army from taking it over. San Felipe was rebuilt a few years later, but it never became as big or as popular as it once was. The oldest post office in Texas is still located here.
In 1928, local people decided to honor the original townsite. They made it a special place to remember its history. In 1940, the town of San Felipe gave most of this historic land to the state. Today, it is known as the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.
Where is San Felipe?
San Felipe is in eastern Austin County, Texas. It sits on the west bank of the Brazos River. The town stretches south of Interstate 10, and you can get there from Exit 723. The town of Sealy is about 3 miles (5 km) to the west. Downtown Houston is about 46 miles (74 km) to the east. Stephen F. Austin State Park is located in the northern part of the town.
The town covers a total area of about 8.7 square miles (22.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 8.5 square miles (22.0 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.3 square miles (0.8 square kilometers), is water.
San Felipe's Weather
The weather in San Felipe usually has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 156 | — | |
| 1890 | 177 | 13.5% | |
| 1900 | 241 | 36.2% | |
| 1910 | 206 | −14.5% | |
| 1920 | 451 | 118.9% | |
| 1930 | 313 | −30.6% | |
| 1940 | 305 | −2.6% | |
| 1950 | 296 | −3.0% | |
| 1960 | 367 | 24.0% | |
| 1970 | 422 | 15.0% | |
| 1980 | 532 | 26.1% | |
| 1990 | 618 | 16.2% | |
| 2000 | 868 | 40.5% | |
| 2010 | 747 | −13.9% | |
| 2020 | 691 | −7.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, the population of San Felipe was 747 people. By 2020, it had decreased slightly to 691 people.
Schools in San Felipe
Students in San Felipe attend schools that are part of the Sealy Independent School District.
Famous People from San Felipe
- Stephen F. Austin - He founded the Austin Colony and is known as the "Father of Texas."
- Angelina Eberly - She became famous during the "Archives War," when she helped keep the capital of Texas in Austin.
- William Barret Travis - He was a lawyer and a leader in the Texas Revolution. He commanded the Texian forces at the Alamo.
- Cedric Watson - A talented musician who plays the Zydeco fiddle.
Images for kids
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San Felipe Post Office
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Location of San Felipe, Texas
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See also
In Spanish: San Felipe (Texas) para niños
