Birdie and I went to Goliad twice, once before the accident and again after....which seems to be how I am measuring time these days. Decided to combine both visits in one post.
On our first visit, we visited the Goliad Downtown Historic District.
The Courthouse graces the center of the square.
And conveniently in front of the Courthouse is the Hanging Tree.
If only the Hanging Tree could talk...
Around the square, historic storefronts.
Simba's checking to see if this cow is real.
I wonder if this restaurant was there when the hangings were common. Entertainment while you eat...ack.
Other side of the square..
Looks like a faded mural on one side of the building, but didn't get a close-up view.
Alley
Market House Museum, formally a meat and produce market in the early 1870s.
Inside we learn how Texas got her name.
A big part of the history of this place is at the Presidio la Bahia
With a display of 9 flags representing different nations that have controlled it in its history.
The fort is largely authentically restored, and the Chapel is the only original structure that remains.
Bell tower and statue....more about that later.
About the Presidio
Inside, we first watched a video, then took a walk back in time, each room representing a different time or event.
Many artifacts were displayed. I remember this one because the sign said the tree-pattern glaze on this pottery bowl was created with urine and tobacco. Don't think I want to eat my breakfast Cheerios in it.
The Presidio was there to protect the Mission and its surrounding community. This type of house was called a jacal.
That was interesting because our campground area had the same name. I wonder if that was where the community of little houses once stood.
Everyone learns about and remembers the Alamo, but I learned that after that battle, an even worse massacre happened in Goliad.
The timeline helps to put events in perspective.
Looking out into the Presidio courtyard.
Inside the walls
Fannin was killed here and his grave and memorial are nearby.
The first Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed on the alter of t
he Chapel in 1835.
The Chapel still holds weekly services.
Inside the Chapel
A Catholic Historic Site
About the bell
The bell, and in the background, what remains of the original Chapel doors.
More about the Chapel's history.
Living quarters within the Presidio walls.
The roles of women
General Zaragoza was born here, and later became known for his role in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is celebrated today as Cinco de Mayo.
A mural depicting that famous battle.
The Presidio was built to help protect the Mission Espiritu Santo which is located on the grounds of what is now Goliad State Park.
I only got pictures of the outside, and was not able to tour the inside because...
There was a wedding going on.
Goliad is also the location of the start of the first major Texas cattle drive.
Springtime was just beginning on our first visit to Goliad. Lots of cardinals were getting ready to do their mating.
Wildflowers were just beginning to bloom.
Saw a few birds....Loggerhead Shrike
American Kestrel
Beginnings of wildflowers.
But when we came back two weeks later it was beautiful!
Simba loved running and rolling in all the flowers.
Couldn't see it all, so enough reason to visit Goliad again.
This was great Liz. We didn't get to go in the Presidio because the kids were getting a little tired by then and we didn't get to walk around in town so this helped fill in the blanks for me. My blog post has the inside of the Espiritu Santu church to fill you in.
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