About Austin County and the surrounding areas.

I cover a wide area surrounding Bellville, the county seat of historic Austin County. Surrounding cities of Sealy, Brenham, Columbus, LaGrange, Hempstead, and Navasota and others are just a quick drive away.

Austin County is of course named after Stephen F. Austin, who settled the first anglo-american families in Texas in 1821, and is known as the Father of Texas.

San Felipe was the home of Austin and other famous early Texans. San Felipe is also known as the home of the postal system of Texas  and Texas' first Anglo newspaper, and was the setting for the beginning of the Texas Rangers.

Located on the Brazos River and adjoining the old ferry site, the site of the township of San Felipe was the seat of government of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas. It was here that Stephen F. Austin brought the first 297 families to colonize Texas under a contract with the Mexican Government.

From 1824 to 1836 San Felipe de Austin was the social, economic, and political center and capitol of the American colonies in Texas. Due to the many historic events that occurred here, the community acquired the reputation of "Cradle of the Texas Liberty." The conventions of 1832 and 1833 and the Consultation of 1835 were also held here which eventually led to the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Bellville is named after Thomas and James Bell who came from Florida in 1822. They settled in Bellville as some of Stephen F. Austin’s earliest Texas colonists and donated over 145 acres to Bellville and Austin County. Bellville, the county seat, was platted in 1846 and features a town square centered around the Courthouse.

Several churches, a log cabin, and a wooden courthouse were the first public structures in Bellville. Most of the early residents were farmers. The town grew slowly until the arrival of the railroad in 1880 which created a market outlet for cotton and other agricultural products. It also provided transportation to and from Houston and Galveston as well as other far away destinations. Within three years of rapid growth the population of approximately 300 rose to around 1,000 residents. And it's still growing strong today.

Today you'll find lots of interesting places to visit, from historical structures to antique shops & art galleries to feed stores and restaurants with great food...Barbecue, Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisine as well as incredible steaks, burgers and old-fashioned home-town cooking. You'll also find that the area is home to many wonderful bed & breakfasts so you can take your time to see all Bellville has to offer in one visit if you're coming from afar.  Plan a visit soon.