Goliad
Inscription
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)
Location
Sources
More markers in Goliad
Aranama College
Goliad, TX
Named for 18th century Indian converts of Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga.
Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre
Fannin, TX
After the fall of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, Colonel James Walker Fannin, with about 400 soldiers, mostly volunteers from the United...
Elijah Ray House
Charco, TX
A native of Alabama, Elijah Ray (1825 - 1902) first came to Texas in 1847.
Goliad County
Goliad, TX
First known to Spanish settlers as Nuestra Senora de Loreto, later called La Bahia del Espiritu Santo.
Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario
Goliad, TX
(Mission Our Lady of the Rosary) Founded in 1754 for the Cujane Indians.