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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
Historic Landmarks / Attractions |
The
Grave of Fannin and his men
TE
photo, 2001 |
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.
The
Goliad County Courthouse > Goliad
State Park
Goliad State Park 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 is located 1/4 mile south of Goliad State Park on US Highway 183
and 77A and 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. See:
A
Survivor's Account of the Goliad Massacre
Life and Times of a Goliad Surviver
A
Soldier's Story
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 OakThe
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.
Book Hotel Here
Victoria
Hotels | San Antonio Hotels
| More Hotels |
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| 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 (From
"Lone Star Diary")The
Life and Times of a Goliad Survivor
by Murray Montgomery
The story of Hermann EhrenbergA
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 (From "Lone Star Diary") |
| | | 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 |
| | | | L
- Masonic Lodge
Center - Another building on the square
R - Lott Building
- a very thin building
TE photos, 2001 |
| |  |
| L
- The trees have the right of way in Goliad
Center - Memorial Auditorium architectural
detail
R - Architectural detail above a doorway
TE photos, 2001
See
Goliad Vintage Photos |
| | A
church in Goliad
TE Photo |
Goliad
Nearby Destinations
Fannin, Refugio,
Cuero,
Victoria
and Beeville.
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 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. | | |
