Presidio de Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía, one of the most historic Spanish forts in Texas and popularly called Presidio la Bahía, was founded on Espíritu Santo Bay, present Lavaca Bay, in 1722, moved twice, and re-established here in 1749 to protect Espiritu Santo Mission one-quarter mile northwest. In the chapel is the statue of Our Lady of Loreto placed here in 1749. The fort's turbulent history included repeated revolutionary conflict: between 1812 and 1820 several irregular filibustering forces, including the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition and others led by James Long and Henry Perry, occupied or assailed it for various idealistic and profiteering motives. Here as well, 92 Texas citizens and soldiers drew up and signed Texas' first formal Declaration of Independence on December 20, 1835. In the ensuing War for Texas Independence, Col. James Fannin and 341 prisoners of war were held and, on Palm Sunday, 1836, were massacred in and around the fort by their Mexican captors. During the fort's authentic restoration from 1963 to 1967 by the Kathryn O'Connor Foundation, nine levels of occupancy were uncovered. Church services are now held in the chapel, and the presidio has been named a Registered National Historic Landmark.