Goliad

Goliad was one of the three first Texas municipalities and began as the old Aranama Indian village called Santa Dorotea by the Spanish. Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espiritu de Zuniga were established there in 1749. Early events leading to the Texas Revolution included the expeditions of Magee-Gutierrez in 1812, Henry Perry in 1817, and James Long in 1821. On Feb. 4, 1829, the name was changed from La Bahia to Goliad, honoring Mexican patriot Hidalgo through an anagram. Capt. George Collingsworth, Ben Milam, and 48 men took the Mexican garrison on Oct. 8, 1835. The Goliad Declaration of Independence was signed on Dec. 20, 1835, and the Goliad flag was unfurled. Defender Capt. Philip Dimmit was succeeded by Col. James Walker Fannin on Feb. 7, 1836. On the order of Gen. Sam Houston to evacuate Goliad, Fannin moved toward Victoria on Mar. 19, 1836. Overtaken 9 miles out by a large Mexican army, Fannin and his men battled until night and surrendered the 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 in June 1836. Goliad has been the county seat since 1836, was incorporated in 1840 and built on its present site, and received 4 leagues of land in a grant signed by President Sam Houston in 1844.

Goliad, Texas · United States