"Old 300" Letterbox

(North Texas Prairie Region San Felipe, Texas - Austin County
Stephen F. Austin State Historical Site)

Date of Placement: December 8, 2002
Difficulty: Easy
Total Distance to letterbox: 100 Yards (one way)
Placed by Baby Bear

The "Old 300" Letterbox can be found at Stephen F. Austin State
Historical Site, where Stephen F. Austin (The Father of Texas) began
the colonization of Texas with a Grant from Mexico to settle 300
families. The site has a large statue of Austin, as well as a replica
of his only home in Texas, an original well dug by his colony, and
the J.J. Josey General Store. Down the road is the SFA State Park,
with golfing, swimming, camping and hiking.

Directions:

Located 48 miles from Houston, the site is located near San Felipe,
Texas. From Interstate 10, take exit #723. Go North on Hwy 1458
for about 3 miles. You will pass Park Road 38 which enters the SFA
Recreation Area on the left, but continue straight for another 100
yards to the Historical Marker sign, and the parking area on the left
for the Historical Site (just before the Brazos River).

To the letterbox:

Start at the picket fence entry. Walk west to the obelisk (15
paces). From here, go North (20 paces) to the Stephen F. Austin
statue. Go around the right side of the square and visit the John
Bricker marker. From this marker, note the month that Bricker was
killed on this spot ______ (hint: between 1 and 9). Proceed to the
back of the site to the log cabin (WSW). On the front wall of this
replica of SFA's home you will find a plaque. From the plaque, note
the last digit of the year Austin died _______ (hint; again between 1
and 9, and was an important year through out Texas history). From
the front porch, proceed south (14 paces) to the Town Hall marker.
Read the marker, and note the month that the Hall was burned to avoid
Mexican capture _____ (Hint: between 1 and 9). From this marker, go
East at 100 degree (30 paces) to the NorthWest corner of the General
Store. At this time, add up the numbers you have collected
_______. At the base of the building you will see brick pillars.
Starting with the N.W. corner pillar (next to phone box), proceed to
the South West corner, counting the pillars. Turn the corner and go
East, continuing your count. The box is behind the "lucky" pillar
whose count matches your total from above. Be careful reaching under
the building, and make sure no one sees you! Now you have joined
the Old 300, and become part of Texas History!