(Mission of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit of Zuniga) Founded in 1722 by the Aguayo Expedition on "La Bahia del Espiritu Santo" (the Bay of the Holy Spirit), present Lavaca Bay. This mission reflects its former site in the popular name, "La Bahia". Its formal name (in part) honored Baltasar de Zuniga, Viceroy of New Spain. Because of threats from the French and the Indians, Spain founded this mission and its auxiliary fort, Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia (now 1/4 mi. SE) to defend its territory and convert the natives. Difficulties, however, caused both to be moved, in only four years, to the Guadalupe River, and again in 1749 to this site, on the San Antonio River. At its peak of success the mission possessed huge herds of cattle and supplied settlements in Mexico, as well as missions in present Texas. In 1758 about 180 persons resided at the mission and fort. All about were Indian "jacales", crude clay-plastered brush huts thatched with grass. Spacious grazing lands and fertile fields surrounded the area, where colonists had formed a small community. After a general decline caused the mission to be secularized in 1830, it fell into ruin. In 1932, this land was deeded to the state by Goliad County. The mission complex was partially restored, 1936 - 1939. Recorded Texas Hitoric Lanmark--1969
Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga is a historical marker in Goliad, Goliad County, dedicated in 1969. 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 28.6577, -97.3871 near Goliad. The nearest cataloged historic site is Aranama College (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga, Site of, Stoddard, Jessie W., House, and Stoddard-Collins House.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5175003408. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
Get Texas Roam — all 28,000 sites in your pocket
See this site and every marker, cemetery, courthouse, museum and landmark across Texas on one live map — find what's near you, get directions, and check in as you roam.
