Goliad in Goliad County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Presidio la Bahia del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga
1749 A.D.
Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023
1. Presidio la Bahia del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga Marker
First founded on Garcitas Creek, near Espiritu Santo Bay in April 1722 moved to Mission Valley, Victoria County, in 1726 and from there. In 1749, moved to this, it's final location - site of the massacre of Fannin's men Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836.
Restored, 1966, through the generosity of Mrs. Thomas O'Connor under the authority of, Bishop M.S. Garriga & Bishop Thos. J. Drury.
Erected 1966 by Raiford Stripling, Restoration Architect.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1836.
Location. 28° 38.86′ N, 97° 22.976′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. Marker is at the intersection of Calle Cinco de Mayo and Camino de Bexar, on the left when traveling south on Calle Cinco de Mayo. The marker is located at the entrance to the museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Presidio La Bahía (here, next to this marker); Nine Flags Over Goliad (a few steps from this marker); Replica of Texas Independence Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); A Stroke of Very Good Luck
this page online
More about this marker. The markers are located on the grounds of the Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site which requires a small entrance fee to access.
Also see . . .
1. Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site. Texas Historical Commission website entry:
The Presidio, established in 1749 on this site during the Spanish colonial period, was crucial to the development of Texas. Witnessing filibustering expeditions and playing a role in the Mexican war for independence from Spain, the Presidio was the site of the Goliad Massacre on Palm Sunday, March 1836. It played host to one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico after the shocking Texian defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The massacre prompted the rallying(Submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)cry, "Remember Goliad" heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 20232. The Marker at the entrance to the Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site
2. Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga Mission. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) website entry:
In 1722 the Marqués de Aguayo authorized Father Agustín Patrón y Guzmán to establish Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga Mission, commonly called La Bahía, probably on Garcitas Creek at a site in what is now Victoria County. The mission, one of the oldest and most successful in Texas, was to serve area Karankawa Indians: the Cocos, Copanes, and Cujanes. The Spanish governor fixed April 10, 1722, as the official day of establishment. The mission was placed in the care of the Franciscans from the College of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Zacatecas and established in connection with Nuestra Señora de Loreto Presidio, which the Aguayo expedition had established a year earlier on the ruins of La Salle's Texas Settlement. The name of the mission, which appears in Spanish records also as La Bahía del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga, was a reference to its location on La Bahía del Espíritu Santo (the Bay of the Holy Spirit, now called Matagorda Bay and Lavaca Bay) and also honored Báltasar de Zúñiga, viceroy of New Spain. The establishment remained at its original site only about four years and was relocated at least twice.(Submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, October 23, 2023
3. The chapel at the Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
