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Projects & Plans

What is this Project? This project consists of archeological survey and testing of the original town site of San Felipe. Information and artifacts recovered in this process will lead to a better understanding of the town's history, and may result in future exhibits or programs to showcase that history for local residents, school children, and tourists.

Who is organizing the Project? Six organizations have formed a partnership to explore the history and archeology of San Felipe. These include the Town of San Felipe, the Stephen F. Austin Park Association, Austin County, the Austin County Historical Commission, the Fort Bend Museum Association, and the Sealy Chamber of Commerce. The partners have hired Wallis resident Marianne Marek M.A, a professional archeologist, to lead the project.

How is the Project funded? The Consortium has received three grants from the Texas Historical Commission's Preservation Trust Fund, which has been matched by funding from the Summerlee Foundation, the City of Sealy, and the Austin County Historical Commission. Other donations to continue and expand the project are welcome, and may be sent to the San Felipe Archeological Consortium in care of the Fort Bend Museum Association, which serves as fiscal agent for the project.

Why is San Felipe important? Founded in 1824, San Felipe served as the political, social and economic center of Austin's Colony, and at the time it was burned in 1836, consisted of more than 45 buildings and 600 residents. Yet little evidence of this history remains, and San Felipe has been largely overlooked as an historic site of great significance to Texas. Since the town was so completely destroyed in 1836, archeology is key to understanding this history, and discovering tangible evidence of it useful in telling San Felipe’s story.

What is Archeology? Archeology is the scientific study of the past based largely on what evidence remains and is recovered from the ground. Archeology is not treasure hunting or indiscriminate digging, but a very specific process to uncover and preserve information as well as artifacts. In order to preserve the archeological record, local residents are asked to not let other people hunt for relics on their property.

What specific activities will occur? This project is guided by a "Research Design" approved by the Texas Historical Commission that ensures that all work will be conducted in the most ethical and professional manner. There are several steps in this research design: 1. Conduct background research 2. Gain community involvement, and permission from land owners to access their property 3. Establish survey points that mark the boundaries of the original town lots and blocks 4. Use walking surveys to document all historic features visible above the ground 5. Conduct shovel tests, consisting of small holes dug in a grid pattern throughout an area, to sample what evidence there might be below the surface 6. Excavation units, which are hand-dug pits or trenches often 3 or 5 feet square, will be dug to explore sites of particular interest. 7. Use the excavations to teach school students and the general public about San Felipe's history and the importance of archeology 8. Clean, document and preserve the artifacts that are recovered 9. Prepare a final written report on the project