County – Introduction
Goliad County is absolutely steeped in Texas history. The first Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Texas was signed in Goliad in 1835. The second skirmish of the Texas war of Independence, the battle of Goliad, paved the way to Texas gaining independence from Mexico.
Colonel James W Fannin and approximately 400 of his men were executed by Santa Ana after they had surrendered. “Remember Goliad” became the battle cry, along with, Remember the Alamo. The land that later became Goliad County, first of all, started out as a spanish mission in the 1700s, later, became a Mexican municipality called Goliad in the 1800s and was one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas. Goliad was the birthplace of the Mexican Army General, Ignacio Zaragoza, that led troops to defeat Napolean III, in the Battle of Puebla May 5, 1862 (Cinco de Mayo). Cinco de Mayo actually has a direct connection to Goliad Texas!! Goliad County has history on every corner. One cannot drive through town without tripping over some significant piece of Texas history.
The intention, here, isn’t to completely document the history of the county, just touch on the high points. The Texas State Historical Association page (link, below) is a wealth of information on the history of the county.
Pictures of older County Courthouses
None Located to Date.
Pictures of the Goliad County Courthouse of 1894 (Current)
Other Goliad County Attractions
- Fannin Plaza (City Park)
- Goliad State Park
- Fannin Memorial – Grave of Col Fannin and his Men
- Presidio La Bahia
- Mission Espíritu Santo
- Angel of Goliad Monument
- Zaragoza Plaza
Our List of additional attractions to see
San Antonio River Valley Historic District
El Camino Real de los Tejas Visitors Center
Mission Rosario State Historic Site
Market House Museum
Fannin Battleground State Historic Site
Zaragoza Birthplace Museum
Goliad County Centennial Marker …. it is located at a rest stop on Highway 59, 5 miles or so West of the City, Goliad.
Baptist Oak 248 S. Chilton Avenue in Goliad
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1883
Cart War Oak located on the north side of the Goliad County Courthouse
Oldest Masonic Lodge in continuous use in the State of Texas
The Canoe Trail and Texas Paddling Trail
If anyone knows of anything else … please leave us a comment! We’d love to see it, next time we go out!!
Links
County Website
Texas State Historical Association
Wikipedia Article