What was the first colony established during the Mexican Period?

The first colony established during the Mexican Period in Texas was the Stephen F. Austin colony. Stephen F. Austin is often referred to as the "Father of Texas" because he successfully brought the first significant number of American settlers to Texas after Mexico gained independence from Spain. His colony was established in 1821 and marked the beginning of Anglo-American settlement in the region, playing a crucial role in the development of Texas.

Austin's colony laid the groundwork for subsequent settlements and immigration, focusing on providing land grants to settlers, encouraging agricultural development, and establishing a governance structure. The success of this colony prompted Mexico to encourage further settlement, contributing to significant demographic changes in Texas during that time.

While other colonies, such as the San Felipe, DeWitt, and Gonzales colonies, also played important roles in Texas's history, they were established after the initial settlement by Austin, making the Stephen F. Austin colony the first and foundational formation during the Mexican Period.