| |
 |
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
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 >
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.
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
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 |
| | | 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
Photo by John Troesser |
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
More
stories, photos & towns:
Texas | Online
Magazine | Texas Towns | Ghost
Towns | |
|
