Building the Town
historical marker
When San Felipe's first townsfolk arrived, they found the settlement itself was yet to be built. Many of these early residents constructed their own homes, kitchens, and stables using their own hands. Stephen F. Austin, recognizing the need for specialized skills, also enlisted various tradespeople. He brought in skilled housewrights, who were house builders, as well as sawyers, teamsters, and blacksmiths. This collective effort, combining the self-reliance of the settlers with the expertise of skilled laborers, was fundamental to the physical establishment of San Felipe in Austin County, Texas. It highlights the direct, hands-on work required to create a new community on the frontier.