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Goliad County
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GOLIAD, TEXAS

Goliad County Seat, South Texas

28°40'N 97°24'W (28.669, -97.392)

Hwy 183 and US 59
25 miles SE of Victoria
29 miles NE of Beeville
From San Antonio 93 miles via US 181 S
From Austin 104 miles on US 183 S
From Houston 152 miles on US 59 S
ZIP code 77963
Area code 361
Population: 1,620 (2020)
1,908 (2010) 1,975 (2000)

Goliad Area Hotels › Victoria Hotels | San Antonio Hotels

Mass Grave of Fannin and men
Grave of Fannin and his men just East of the Presidio
TE photo, 2001

History in a Pecan Shell

The site of Goliad was inhabited by Indians prior to the Spanish establishing a mission and fort in 1749. The Mission was Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiratu Santo de Zuniga. The fort was originally Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto de La Bahia.

Both the mission and fort had originally been established in 1722 on what is presently Lavaca Bay, hence the designation "La Bahia" - Spanish for bay.

An earlier mission (Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario) just west of town was founded in 1754 with the purpose of converting the Indians. The mission was quite successful in breeding cattle, but was abandoned in 1807. There's a marker on the former site four miles west on highway 59.

The mission (La Bahia) is considered to be the first large cattle ranch in Texas since it was successful in raising an estimated herd of 40,000. Goliad was set up as a Mexican municipality in 1829. The town of Goliad moved across the river to the present location in 1836 when the county was organized and it was made the county seat of government.

Later in its history, Goliad County was the scene of the "Cart Wars" - an ugly series of incidents in Texas history which was brought to a close by a legislative ruling and the employment of the large Live Oak on the courthouse lawn. Details on the "wars" and the Hanging Tree can be read by clicking here.

Goliad State Park Mission Goliad Texas
Presidio La Bahia
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, April 2007

Historical Marker:

Goliad

One of the three first Texas municipalities. Old Aranama Indian village called Santa Dorotea by the Spanish. Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espiritu de Zuniga established 1749. Here early events leading to the Texas Revolution were expeditions of Magee-Gutierrez, 1812; Henry Perry, 1817; James Long, 1821.

Name changed Feb. 4, 1829, from La Bahia (the Bay) to Goliad. Honoring (in anagram) Mexican patriot (H)idalgo. Capt. George Collingsworth, Ben Milam and 48 men took Mexican garrison Oct. 8, 1835.

Goliad Declaration of Independence signed Dec. 20, 1835, and Goliad flag unfurled. Defender Capt. Philip Dimmit succeeded by Col. James Walker Fannin, Feb. 7, 1836. On order of Gen. Sam Houston to evacuate Goliad, Fannin on Mar. 19, moved toward Victoria. Overtaken 9 miles out by a large Mexican army, Fannin and his men battled until night, surrendered next morning. From La Bahia Prison they were marched out, massacred and partially cremated on Palm Sunday, Mar. 27, 1836. After Texas won independence, Gen. Thomas Rusk's army gave them military rites and burial, June 1836.

Goliad County Seat since 1836. Incorporated 1840 and built on present site. Received 4 leagues of land in grant signed by President Sam Houston, 1844.

(1965)

Goliad, Texas
Historic Landmarks / Attractions


Goliad is declared a National Historic District

The attractions are many in Goliad and you can easily spend the entire day. The chamber of commerce is located in the former Frels Theater on the south side of the town square (large building - small sign). They can supply you with a complete driving/ walking tour of the town.

Goliad TX - Grave of Fannin & his men
TE photo, 2001
The Grave of Fannin and his men
Off US 183, 2 miles S of Goliad
near Presidio La Bahia
See Goliad Massacre


Goliad Texas - Presidio La Bahia
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, April 2007
Presidio La Bahia
South of San Antonio River
2 Miles S off US 183


Goliad State Park Mission Goliad Texas
Mission Espiritu Santo
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, April 2007
Goliad State Park and Historic Site


Restored Goliad County Courthouse,  Goliad, Texas
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2005
Goliad County Courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

  • Goliad State Park & Historic Site
    Goliad State Park & Historic Site consists of the land that the Mission Espíritu Santo Zuniga is on, and extends across the road below the Centennial Auditorium, which is next to the Goliad State Park, within the City Limits.

  • Presidio La Bahia - Located 1/4 mile south of Goliad State Park on US Highway 183 and 77A. Operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria.

  • Fannin's Men Memorial is just east of Presidio La Bahía.

  • Fannin Battleground - Now owned by The THC. It is no longer a part of the Park system.

  • Fannin Plaza Park - One block NE of the town square - obelisk, with a cannon used by Fannin's forces. Dedicated for the 50th Anniversary of the Goliad Massacre.

  • Goliad Town Square
    Walking Tour: The chamber of commerce has a walking tour with some information on the collection of buildings downtown.
    Buildings downtown include a handsome Bank, a former hotel, a Masonic Lodge and the Lott Building - a very thin building sandwiched between the buildings of the Cole Block.

  • Goliad Memorial Auditorium
    A Centennial Building from 1936. Rather plain - as was the style then - but interesting details and ornamentation. This is the site of the Goliad County Fair

  • Market House Museum:
    c. 1853 On the corner of Franklin and Market Streets

  • Goliad's Historic Trees:
    The Hanging Tree (Cart War Oak)
    The Baptist Oak

  • The Tree in the Street Sorority
    Besides being declared a National Historic District, Goliad is also a member of The Tree in the Street Sorority - a loose group of cities whose citizens acknowledge that the trees were there before the settlers.

  • Goliad street scene
    Frels Theater, Goliad Texas
    L - Street scene in Goliad Square
    R - The former Frels Theater on the south side of the town square
    is now the Goliad Chamber of Commerce
    TE photos, 2001
    Masonic Lodge
    Lott Building, a narrow building on the square
    L - Masonic Lodge
    R - Lott Building - a very thin building
    TE photos, 2001
    brick building on the square
    Building on the square
    TE photo, 2001
    Tree in Goliad street
    County Fair cowhead
    Shield as architectural detail
    L - The trees have the right of way in Goliad
    Center - Memorial Auditorium architectural detail
    R - Architectural detail above a doorway
    TE photos, 2001
    Church in Goliad Texas
    A church in Goliad
    TE Photo


    Goliad TX Mission La Bahia
    Goliad Vintage Photos
    Courtesy William Beauchamp Collection


    Bull Durham Ghost Sign, Goliad TX
    Ghost Sign "Materializes" in Goliad
    Discovery of the Bull Durham Wall Advertisement
    in Goliad, Texas

    by Patsy Light



    Massacre at Goliad
    Goliad Massacre
    & Related Stories
  • Massacre at Goliad: A Texas Tragedy by Jeffery Robenalt
    The massacre at Goliad branded Santa Anna as an inhuman despot and the Mexican people, whether deserved or not, with a reputation for cruelty. As a result of the needless slaughter, a burning desire for revenge arose among the people of Texas, and Americans became firmly united behind the Texas cause of independence.

  • A Survivor's Account of the Goliad Massacre by Murray Montgomery ("Lone Star Diary")

  • The Life and Times of a Goliad Survivor by Murray Montgomery
    The story of Hermann Ehrenberg

  • Death at Goliad by Murray Montgomery
    A letter written by J.G. Ferguson to his (Ferguson’s) twin brother on March 2, 1836. This document gives a real insight into the final days surrounding the tragedy at Goliad as seen through the eyes of a man who lived and died there.

  • A Soldier's Story by Bob Bowman (From "All Things Historical")
    Milton Irish, one of only 28 survivors of the massacre.

  • Thomas Deye Owings of Maryland, Kentucky and Texas by W. T. Block Jr.
    "He was a colonel and hero of the War of 1812 [and] was Kentucky's original industrialist and iron master, also holding several political offices. He was also commissioned by Stephen F. Austin in Jan. 1836 to raise 2 regiments of Kentuckians to fight for Texas Independence from Mexico, sacrificing as a result the life of one of his sons during the Goliad Massacre..."

  • The Angel of Goliad by Murray Montgomery ( "Lone Star Diary")
  • monument to Goliad massacre Cannon used by Fannin
    L - The Fannin Monument in Fannin Square
    R - Cannon used by Fannin and his men

    TE Photos, 7-01


    base of Goliad massacre  monument
    The base of the monument
    TE photo, 2001


    Goliad Chronicles
  • Goliad Stamp by Mike Cox



  • Goliad Nearby Destinations

    See Goliad County
    Do not miss Fannin, Refugio, Cuero, Victoria and Beeville.

    Coleto Creek Park -
    On Coleto Creek Reservoir
    On US 59, 13 miles N of Goliad
    361-575-6366
    www.coletocreekpark.com


    Goliad Local and Tourist Information
  • Goliad Chamber of Commerce -
    131 Courthouse Square in the former Frels Theater
    Hours - 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. 361-645-3563.
    website: http://www.goliadcc.org/
  • Goliad County Economic Development/Main Street.
    361-645-3540
    website: www.goliad.org



  • Take a road trip
    Goliad, Texas Area Towns:
    Fannin | Refugio | Cuero | Victoria | Beeville
    See Goliad County | South Texas

    Book Hotel Here:
    Victoria Hotels | San Antonio Hotels | More Hotels
    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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