Between 1823 and 1836, San Felipe de Austin was the focal point for issues related to the immigration and settlement of American colonists in Mexican-controlled Texas. It was the site of the town’s central business district and the first Austin colony land office, and during the colonial era many early Texas leaders walked these grounds. In the tense years from 1832 to 1835, delegates met there three times to discuss their concerns, and in November 1835 the Consultation clarified the reasons for conflict and established a provisional government based at San Felipe that led the revolution effort before the Declaration of Independence in March 1836. The town had been founded in 1823 after Stephen F. Austin praised the site in 1821, and its name was chosen by interim governor Luciano Garcia to honor Austin and Felipe de la Garza. The war ended badly for San Felipe de Austin when residents burned the town on March 29, 1836, to keep it from providing resources to the advancing Mexican army.