About Goliad, Texas:
Goliad is the third oldest municipality and is rich in Texas history. It is the County Seat of Goliad County, one of the oldest counties of Texas. First named Santa Doretea by the Spaniards in the 16th century, its name was changed February 4, 1829 to Goliad. The name is an anagram derived from the last name of a Spanish missionary priest, Father Hidalgo. The presidio was established here in 1749 during the Spanish colonial period, and was crucial to the develpment of the area.
Nine flags of different nations have flown over the Presidio during its history. One of its historical backgrounds is being the place where the first Declaration of Texas Independence was signed on December 20, 1835. Residents of Texas were now known as “Texians”.
The fight for independence from Mexico resulted in The Goliad Massacre. On March 19-20, 1836, the Texian Army under James Walker Fannin engaged the Mexican Army under General Jose Urrea outside the town of Goliad at the battle of Coleto Creek. Fannin surrendered and he and his men were marched back the Presidio La Bahia.
On March 27, 1836, despite their surrender, Fannin and over 300 of his men were executed by the Mexican army in Goliad, the largest single loss of life in the cause of Texas Independence……more than the well-known Battle of the Alamo earlier that year (February 23 – March 6, 1836) that resulted in an estimated killed to be between 182 and 257 lives lost.
This event inspired the battle cry “Remember Goliad,” at the Battle of San Jacinto……a surprise attack by Texian forces on the Mexican army on April 21, 1836. The Battle of San Jacinto was the final battle of the Texas Revolution and secured the independence of Texas from Mexico
Following the Texas Revolution of 1836, General Sam Houston, then the Governor of the Republic of Texas, granted four leagues of land to Goliad on October 25, 1844.
Catholic places of interest in Goliad, Texas:
The Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía (Our Lady of Loreto Chapel) located within Goliad State Historic Park: encompasses the ruins of the 1750’s Mission Rosario and Our Lady of Loreto Chapel (Sunday Masses).
Mass is celebrated here on Sundays and some other special occasions Priests are from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goliad.
Note: there is an admission charge for the park; however for those attending Mass, you should enter through the water gate, not the museum entrance, and there is no fee to enter.
You can a book room for overnight stays in the Presidio….definitely a unique experience.
Click here for the official website of Goliad State Historical Park.
Traveling to Goliad, Texas:
Goliad is about 91 miles southeast of San Antonio and about 100 miles west of Houston.