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

The Hanging Tree

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

1. The Hanging Tree Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Site for court sessions at various times from 1846 to 1870. Capital sentences called for by the courts were carried out immediately, by means of a rope and a convenient limb.

Hangings not called for by regular courts occurred here during the 1857 "Cart War" -- a series of attacks made by Texas freighters against Mexican drivers along the Indianola - Goliad - San Antonio Road. About 70 men were killed, some of them on this tree, before the war was halted by Texas Rangers.

Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2360.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 28° 39.973′ N, 97° 23.518′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. Marker is on North Courthouse Square, on the right when traveling east. On courthouse grounds between South Commercial Street and South Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 127 North Courthouse Square, Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker. Santa Anna's Surrender Ratified (a few steps from this marker); Goliad County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First Lieut. James H. Ewell Jr. Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Global War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Tornado of 1902 (within shouting distance of this marker); Regulators of Goliad County (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Rafael Antonio Manchola (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goliad.

Also see . . . The Cart War Oak. Famous Trees of Texas website entry:
A giant live oak was the site of the court sessions. Its huge horizontal limbs served as a ready-made gallows for the swift conduct of capital sentences passed by those early courts. A number of the cart-cutting outlaws alternately cursed and prayed as they left this world at the end of the hangman's knotted rope. (Submitted on August 9, 2010.)

Additional keywords. Cart War

The Hanging Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

2. The Hanging Tree

The marker is in the foreground.

Photographed By Richard Denney, November 2, 2012

3. The Hanging Tree Marker

Alternate photo of hanging tree from other side.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,699 times since then and 781 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 3. submitted on November 12, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.