Check out our video about Goliad State Park on YouTube!
Earlier this year we spent a weekend camping at Goliad State Park and historic site. Being a native Texan, I’d learned about Goliad as part of Texas history, but I’d never been there. So we headed out about two and a half hours southwest of Houston, on the other side of Victoria, to Goliad, Texas.
About Goliad State Park
Goliad State Park is also a historic site with an 18th century mission on site. The park staff also maintain several other missions and historic sites in the area.
Let’s start with the campground itself and then we’ll move on to the history.
There are 20 full hookup sites on one loop in this park with one restroom/shower building. All of the sites are half-moon pull through sites with picnic table and fire ring. Most have an upright grill as well. Additional electric only or water only sites are available as well.
We stayed at site sixteen and had a great experience. The sites that face inside the loop can see across to the sites on both sides, there’s not much between the block the view. When we go back we will probably choose a site that faces outside the look for more privacy. Some dog owners complained about sticker burrs or grass burrs in their dog’s hair, but we didn’t have any major issues.
Mission Espíritu Santo
Mission Espiritu Santo is located on site at the state park. You can’t miss this beautiful white building. This mission was home to one of the largest ranching operations in Texas! It was restored in the 1930’s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps projects.
Inside you’ll find exhibits on the history and daily life of the missionaries and Indians.
Zamora’s home and CInco de Mayo
Ever wonder why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo? It honors General Ignacio Zaragoza who was born here in 1829. The general and his troops defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
His reconstructed birthplace next to the Presidio la Bahía is dedicated to this Texas-Mexican hero. Nearby there is a statue that was donated by the citizens of Puebla, Mexico.
The Presidio La Bahia
Presidio La Bahía is the fort you think about when people say Remember Goliad. It sits just across the San Antonio River from the State Park. There is a path you can walk that takes you under the highway safely. There are exhibits, programs and reenactments that help you imagine what life was like when the fort was active.
The presidio was originally established on Matagorda Bay in 1721. But it and Mission Espíritu Santo were relocated to Goliad in 28 years later.
This fort played a major role in the Texas Revolution… Col. James Fannin and his troops were held here before Santa Anna ordered their execution. This act became a rallying cry at the Battle of San Jacinto: “Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!” Funny, everyone knows “remember the Alamo” but that’s only half the story.
The presidio is actively operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria.
Fannin and his men
Near the presidio is the Fannin Memorial Monument. This location marks the burial site of Col. Fannin and his men. The Mexican army captured Fannin and his men nearby at the 1836 Battle of Coleto Creek. At the orders of Santa Anna, the men were marched out of the presidio in three different directions and executed. Later their burned bodies were collected and given a proper burial at this site.
The Angel of Goliad
Francisca Alavez is known as the Angel of Goliad and a heroine in the Texas Revolution. She was known for saving Texas men by hiding them, aiding them or pleading for their lives from Mexican military leadership. Her actions saved countless lives.
