Goliad

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)

Goliad is a historical marker in Goliad, Goliad County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 34 historical markers documented in Goliad County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 86 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 28.6693, -97.3915 near Goliad. The nearest cataloged historic site is Fannin, J. W. (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Market House Museum, Lea, Judge Pryor, Home, and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5175002200. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.