The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has received a donation of approximately 15 acres of land from the family of George W. Hill, a San Felipe native. This land is situated near the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe.

This newly donated land is located west of Stephen F. Austin’s Centennial statue and is believed to encompass the site of Peyton’s Tavern, a notable inn from the pre-Texas Revolution era. Additionally, it includes sites related to Samuel May Williams, Austin’s Colony secretary, and an outdoor bake oven linked to significant historical events in the town's past. San Felipe de Austin was notably destroyed by fire during an evacuation ahead of the advancing Mexican army as part of the Runaway Scrape in 1836.

“The Hill family’s generous donation of a critical parcel of Texas history will help the THC preserve the history of San Felipe de Austin and broadening awareness of this unique place,” stated THC Chairman John L. Nau, III. “The entire Lone Star State appreciates this gift to future generations of Texans.”

The THC plans to use this donation to enhance visitor experiences at the historic site by expanding its interpretive mission and developing public archeology programming.

The Hill family's involvement with preservation efforts at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site dates back nearly a century to the 1920s. George W. Hill witnessed the installation of an obelisk celebrating Stephen F. Austin’s colony in 1928 and owned many acres that were part of San Felipe de Austin's historic footprint.

George W. Hill was deeply involved in historic preservation and became the first executive director of what is now known as the Texas Historical Commission.

This recent 15-acre land donation was led by George's son, David A. Hill, along with his niece and nephew, Dr. Kara Froelich-Pittman and Kyle Froelich.