Goliad in Goliad County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

W.A. Pettus Building

Photographed by James Hulse, February 25, 2025

1. W.A. Pettus Building Marker

Inscription. William Albert "Buck" Pettus was a prominent cattleman and rancher. He was a man of impeccable morals and character. His family was one of the "Old 300" families brought to Texas by Stephen F. Austin. In the winter of 1835, his father, John F. Pettus stormed the Alamo along with the Texian army at the urging of Ben Milam, capturing it during the Texas revolution. The elder Pettus also fought at San Jacinto, where Santa Anna surrendered. W.A. Pettus's wife, Myra Amanda Lott Pettus was called "the fairest flower of South Texas". Because of her excellent posture, she was known as "Miss Clip" since she stood straight and tall like a "Clipper Ship". Clip Road near Berclair is named in her honor.

An 1894 map shows a rock building housing a county office at this location. W.A. Pettus built this structure in 1912 over the basement of the earlier building. He wanted a grand building and achieved this goal.

Today, an internal stairway in the middle bay leads to a basement with walls of reclaimed mission rock, a fireplace, and two windows with light wells and a steel access door at the south end of the basement opening to the sidewalk above. The second floor was designed for the Pettus family's residence and is opulent. It includes a hand-operated Otis elevator, a large ballroom and spacious outside balcony.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 28° 39.976′ N, 97° 23.566′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. It is at the intersection of South Commercial Street and N Courthouse Square, on the left when traveling north on South Commercial Street. The marker is located along the wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 S Commercial St, Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Goliad Global War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Tornado of 1902 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Goliad Advance-Guard (within shouting distance of this marker); Bull Durham Tobacco Wall Advertisement (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Lodge No. 94 A.F. & A.M. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hanging Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Brooking-Lipscomb-White Home (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goliad.

The view of the W.A. Pettus Building Marker along the sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 25, 2025

2. The view of the W.A. Pettus Building Marker along the sidewalk

The view of the W.A. Pettus Building from across the street (left center) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

3. The view of the W.A. Pettus Building from across the street (left center)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.