Embraced by the Brazos River is the old town site of San Felipe, the fabled Cradle of Texas Liberty. Here Stephen F. Austin, named the Father of Texas, brought the Old Three Hundred the first 297 families to colonize Texas under a contract with the Mexican Government.

Founded in 1824 the town site was located near the ferry crossing on the Brazos River along the Old Atascocita Trail. San Felipe de Austin became the capital of the American colonies in Texas as well as the social, economic, and political hub until 1836. In its role of the political focus point, San Felipe spawned the seed of the Texas revolution.

The historic village was home of Texas first English-language newspaper (The Gazette, 1829), the origin of the Texas postal system, and saw the beginning of the legendary Texas Rangers. San Felipe de Austin was the location of the Conventions of 1832 and 1833, and Consultation of 1835 meetings that led to Texas Declaration of Independence.

During the Texas Revolution the colony contributed a company of men led by Mosely Baker. Above the company flew the San Felipe Flag of 1836, handmade by the women of the settlement and given to Baker just as the company was marching from town.

In 1836 General Sam Houston ordered all supplies removed from the town and burned it to the ground to keep it out of Mexican hands. The town was restored after the Texans victory at San Jacinto.

The Stephen F. Austin State Park is in two sections, historical and recreational. The historical section is near an old ferry crossing of the Brazos River and includes replicas of Austins dog-run log cabin where he conducted business of the first colonists. Dominating many monuments and historical markers is a magnificent statue of Stephen F. Austin, The Father of Texas. The recreational portion of the park offers picnic, camping and trailer sites, screened shelters, dining hall, nature trails, fishing, park store, and golf course.