Goliad County Chamber of Commerce

Presidio La Bahia, located 1 1/2 miles south of Goliad on Hwy 183 and designated a National Historic Landmark, is considered the world's finest example of a Spanish frontier fort. This is the most fought over fort in Texas history, having seen participation in six National Revolutions/Wars for independence. Spanish, Mexican and Texan soldiers all garrisoned its fortified walls. Here, at this Crossroads of Revolution, was felt almost every attempt to forcibly change the governmental order of Texas.

The fort is the site where Goliad history began. The location of the fort had been an occupied site long before Spain arrived in the New World. Strategically located on an elevation overlooking the surrounding area, the Spanish arrived here in 1749 and found evidence of an Indian Village in the area they named Santa Dorotea. As permanent settlement by Spain began, the town of LaBahia (The Bay) grew up around the protection of the fort. This town was the original Goliad, the name being changed in 1829 as an anagram for Hidalgo, in honor of the patriot priest of the Mexican Revolution, Father Miguel Hidalgo, who sounded the famous "Grito de Delores" in 1810 for Mexican Independence from Spain. This town became the second largest populated settlement in Spanish Texas.

The establishment of the Royal Presidio La Bahia in the year 1721 was a direct response to encroachment by the French in the Spanish Province of Texas. First founded on the banks of the Garcitas Creek near present day Lavaca Bay, it was erected upon the remains of the ill-fated French Fort St. Louis built by La Salle. This location proved unsuitable and in 1726 it was abandoned and the fort relocated to an inland position near Mission its present location.

The Royal Presidio La Bahia, though an inland frontier fort, became the only fort responsible for the defense of the coastal area and eastern province of Texas after the abandonment of the Presidios at Los Adaes and Orcoquisac.

Soldiers from Presidio LaBahia assisted the Spanish army fighting the British along the Gulf Coast during the American Revolution. This action gives Goliad the distinction of being one of the only communities west of the Mississippi River to have participated in the American Revolution.

On October 9, 1835 a group of Texas citizens, led by Capt. George Colllingsworth, entered Goliad and attacked the Mexican garrison stationed at the Presidio and were successful in taking possession of the fort. This action followed the incident at Gonzales, Texas, one week earlier.

Here at the Presidio was formally declared the first Declaration of Texas Independence on December 20, 1835, signed by 92 citizens and distributed throughout other municipalities in Texas, boldly stating the intentions of these settlers of Texas. Along with it flew the first Flag of Texas Independence. Nothing short of full independence from Mexico would satisfy those who had suffered under the injustices of a dictatorial government let by the self-styled "Napoleon of the West", General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

The darkest day in Texas history, the Goliad Massacre, took place here on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, when Col. James Walker Fannin and 341 men under his command were executed a week after their capture at the Battle of Coleto, under orders of the Mexican dictator, General Santa Anna. There was twice as much loss of life here at Goliad than at the Alamo. Nothing had touched the raw nerve of the American character as did the news of the large numbers of men who were all slaughtered in one execution. As grim news reached the United States, volunteers streamed forth for the people of Texas who were engaged in a war with a dictator who took no prisoners - a war of extermination. This one single event, the Goliad Massacre, more than any event in the Texas Revolution, proved to the people of the United States what manner of warfare confronted the Texans.

The Presidio was restored in the 1960's through the dedicated generosity of Mrs. Kathryn O'Connor to stand as a lasting memorial alongside its sister shrines the Alamo and San Jacinto. Today it is considered one of the most authentic restoration projects in the United States.

In 1530 only 38 short years after Columbus made his historic voyage, a Spanish expedition was shipwrecked in the Gulf of Mexico, and the survivorslanded on the coast of Texas. Because of the abundance of stately pecan trees the Guadalupe River was given the name of "The River of Nuts". The leader of the expedition was DeVaca. Fortunately, of the four main Indian tribes which he encountered in the area, the Lipans and the Toncahuas were friendly and helped the Spanish castaways recover their health. The Comanches and the Karankawas were more warlike. Later the expedition led by DeVaca made it's way to California and then returned to Spain. Indications are that Cabeza DeVaca was the first white man to ever set foot in Texas.

A tiny fort was established by Robert de La Salle and named for his king - Fort St. Louis. Hostile Indians and disease forced La Salle to abandon the fort but not before the news of this French foothold had reached Spain. This caused much consternation at the Spanish court, and word was sent to Mexico. "Locate and get rid of the French." This was more easily said than done; however, it took four attempts before an expedition led by Captain Alonzo DeLeon got through to this area, rediscovered our river, and named it for the patron saint of Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in 1689.

In 1722 the Spanish established a mission and a fort for its protection on the site of old Fort St. Louis, thus reclaiming the soil for Spain. But Indians and disease were too much for the Spanish, and both the mission and the fort were moved to a valley on the Guadalupe River where there was only irrigation and cattle raising. This area is today known as Mission Valley and is located just northwest of Victoria. Later the mission and fort were moved to a place on the San Antonio River, the site of todays city of Goliad. Permanent buildings were erected and visitors to Goliad can visit the mission which was recently completely restored to its original state. The chapel was also restored, and services are conducted regularly. This mission, called La Bahia, played a prominent part in the Texas Revolution.

Neither the French nor the Spanish settlements made a permanent impression on the area, and it was left to Martin DeLeon to change forever this vast and virgin countryside. The year was 1805 and many things were happening. The United States had won its freedom from England, the French monarchy had been overthrown, and Spain's most important colony in Mexico had thrown off the Spanish yoke. Permission to establish a settlement with the official name of Nuestra De Guadalupe De Victoria was granted, but following Texas Independence the name was shortened to Victoria.

The boundaries of DeLeon's colony included parts of Jackson, Calhoun, DeWitt and Victoria counties, located roughly between the lower Guadalupe River and Lavaca River. The seat of government was located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in 1824 on a six hundred and forty acre grant, and the original city plot was one of the first in Texas to show a site for a school. There were eight Anglo-American families of good standing and of Catholic faith. Each colonist received one league of land and a town lot, and the colony prospered. In 1829, DeLeon obtained a contract to bring one hundred and fifty families. His death and a cholera epidemic of 1833 prevented this.

DeLeon's first task was to plan his city which was laid out in accordance with his knowledge of European and Mexican cities. Of prime importance was the market square used by itinerant traders and local settlers. Today Victoria's City hall stands on the old market square. Apparently, DeLeon's best friends lived on our present Main Street because it was originally named La Calle de Los Amigos - "The Street of Ten Friends". It was not until after the Texas Revolution that Victoria started taking on its Anglo-American characteristics. Under the Republic of Texas, Victoria County was created on May 17, 1836 with the City of Victoria for the county seat.