Goliad County, Texas

Angel of Goliad Aranama College Battle of Coleto and Goliad Massacre Brooking-Lipscomb-White House Bull Durham Advertisement Cabeza Creek Crossing on the La Bahia-Bexar Road Cart Wars Cattle Drive from La Bahia Cologne Community Don Rafael Antonio Manchola Elijah Ray House Fannin Street United Methodist Church First Baptist Church of Goliad First United Methodist Church of Goliad Founding Site of First Baptist Church of Goliad General Ignacio Zaragoza Geraldos B. Smart House Goliad Goliad Advance-Guard Goliad County Goliad County Courthouse Goliad Lodge No. 94 A.F. & A.M. Goliad Memorial Auditorium Goliad Tornado of 1902 Grave of Colonel J. W. Fannin and His Men J. W. Fannin John Mason Brewer Judge James Arthur White and the Civilian Conservation Corps at Goliad State Park Judge Pryor Lea Home La Bahia Cemetery Lott Cemetery Manuel Becerra Market House Museum Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Oak Hill Cemetery Old Peck House Peck Cemetery Pettus Cemetery Presidio de Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia Ramsey Home Reed-McCampbell-Wiess Ranch Complex Regulators of Goliad County Santa Anna's Surrender Ratified Site of Battle of El Perdido Site of Dobskyville Site of Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario Site of Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario Site of September 1824 Indian Treaty Site of the Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Stoddard-Collins House The Hanging Tree Treaty of 1824 Union Missionary Baptist Church W. J. "Ed" and Mary Elizabeth Lott House Weser William Rubio Carbajal

Goliad County, Texas, has a rich and layered history that dates back centuries. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Karankawas, Tonkawas, and Lipan Apaches. Spanish explorers, led by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, were the first Europeans to visit the area in the 16th century.

In 1829, the Mexican government established Goliad County as a municipality as part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. The town of Goliad was established as the county seat, and it quickly became a center for trade and commerce. However, tensions grew between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas, eventually leading to the Texas Revolution.

One of the most well-known events in Goliad County's history occurred during the Texas Revolution in 1836. After the fall of the Alamo, Colonel James Fannin and his troops were captured by Mexican forces and held in the presidio at Goliad. In a tragic turn of events, Fannin and his men were executed in what became known as the Goliad Massacre, a significant event that further fueled the desire for Texas independence.

After gaining independence, Goliad County continued to grow and develop. The area became an important hub for ranching and agriculture, particularly in the production of cattle, cotton, and peanuts. Today, Goliad County is known for its rich historical heritage and its thriving tourism industry, drawing visitors with its impressive historic sites and events that commemorate the region's past.
Brief timeline of the history of Goliad County, Texas:

  • 1821 - Mexican Revolutionary General Martín Perfecto de Cos granted land to empresario Martín De León in what is now Goliad County
  • 1829 - The Mexican government granted the De León Colony rights to settle in the area
  • 1836 - Goliad County was officially established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas
  • 1836 - The Goliad Massacre occurred during the Texas Revolution, where prisoners of war from the Battle of Coleto were executed by the Mexican army
  • 1846 - The county was formally organized and named Goliad County after the presidio and the Spanish fort located in the area
  • 1850s - The county experienced economic growth with cattle ranching and agriculture becoming prominent industries
  • 1881 - The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway built a line through the county, leading to further development
  • 20th century - Goliad County continued to thrive with the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the area
  • 2000 - Goliad County celebrated its 175th anniversary

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Goliad County, Texas.