First known to Spanish settlers as Nuestra Senora de Loreto and later called La Bahia del Espritu Santo, this place was established as a mission in 1749. It became a strategic fort under Spanish, Mexican, and Texas occupancy from 1810 to 1821 and again from 1835 to 1836. Its name was changed to Goliad in 1829, when it was created as a Mexican municipality. In 1836 it was the scene of the massacre of Fannin and his command, and that same year it was organized as a county with the town of Goliad as the county seat. It was also the home of Confederate General Hamilton P. Bee, and from a population of 3,384 the county seat sent several army companies to the Civil War.