San Marcos in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla

Photographed by Richard Denney, July 10, 2003

1. Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker

Inscription. At the request of Antonio Cordero, interim governor of the Province of Texas, Spanish-born Felipe Roque de la Portilla (1768?-1841) established a colony here on El Camino Real. With his own family of eight, he brought 51 persons from the interior of Mexico and founded San Marcos de Neve in April 1808. Titles were issued to 13 lots, and homes were built, only to be washed away in June floods. Hardships plagued the colony: the defensive troops departed; no priest arrived; seed and a farm irrigation system did not materialize; horses and cattle were lost to Indians, and the people feared for their own lives. In 1809 new settlers brought the population to 81 without bettering living conditions. Portilla lost his health and fortune and was forced to lead his people back to Matamoros, Mexico, in 1812.

In 1829, however, he helped his son-in-law, James Power, and Power's associate, James Hewetson, plant their colony at Refugio, near Copano Bay. Portilla received land there in 1834, but left for Mexico in 1836. Because he invested his own fortune in the colonizing effort, he is sometimes called the First Empresario, and recognized

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

as a forerunner of Stephen F. Austin, “The Father of Texas”.

Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23312.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail series list.

Location. 29° 51.326′ N, 97° 53.904′ W. Marker is in San Marcos, Texas, in Hays County. It is on Old Bastrop Road (County Road 266) 1.2 miles south of San Marcos Highway (State Highway 80), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located just south of the San Marcos River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 County Rd 266, San Marcos TX 78666, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the Austin Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Panorama of this marker (left) and adjacent markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney

2. Panorama of this marker (left) and adjacent markers

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of the First Town of San Marcos (here, next to this marker); Lt. Zebulon M. Pike (here, next to this marker); Charles Lewis McGehee Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Col. Ignacio Elizondo’s 1813 Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away); McGehee Crossing (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cheatham-Hohenberg Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Kings Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away); Thompson's Islands (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marcos.

Other markers no longer nearby. Gen. Antonio Gaona’s 1836 Campaign (was approx. one mile away but has been confirmed missing); El Camino De Nacogdoches (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 5, 2013

3. Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker

A view of this marker (left) and two adjacent markers.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 8, 2023

4. Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 30, 2018

5. Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker

Marker appears to have been struck by a vehicle; there are skid marks leading to where the marker was located. Texas Historical Commission advised.

The Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker is missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 20, 2020

6. The Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla Marker is missing

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2013. This page has been viewed 2,986 times since then and 133 times this year. Last updated on June 25, 2026. Photos: 1. submitted on October 2, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 5. submitted on October 30, 2018, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 6. submitted on October 7, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the new replacement marker • Can you help?