San Felipe, Texas

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. The population was 747 at the 2010 census.GeographySan 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 3mi 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 8.7sqmi, of which, 8.5sqmi of it is land and 0.3sqmi is water.ClimateThe climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, San Felipe has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.EducationSan Felipe is served by the Sealy Independent School District.HistoryIn 1823 John McFarland operated a ferry on the Brazos River near this location. In the fall of same year, the site was chosen by Stephen F. Austin with the help of Baron de Bastrop to be the main site in Texas for 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 spot of the Texas Rangers. It was first governed by James (Jack) Cummins who was appointed the first alcalde.