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

Goliad Tornado of 1902

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, June 21, 2025

1. Goliad Tornado of 1902 Marker

Inscription. A cyclone, considered one of the two most disastrous in Texas history, struck Goliad on Sunday, May 18, 1902. The twister touched down on the south side of the San Antonio River at 3:35 p.m. Sounding like a heavily loaded freight train, the storm ripped a mile long, half-mile wide path across the northwest section of town, destroying over 100 homes and leaving an official death toll of 114. At least 50 members of a black Methodist church died when their sanctuary was razed. After the disaster, the Goliad County Courthouse served as a temporary hospital and morgue.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2207.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1846.

Location. 28° 39.96′ N, 97° 23.545′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. It is on South Commercial Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Courthouse Square. 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.

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 (a few steps from this marker); Goliad County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); W.A. Pettus Building

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Hanging Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Bull Durham Tobacco Wall Advertisement (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Anna's Surrender Ratified (within shouting distance of this marker); John Mason Brewer (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad County World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goliad.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

2. Goliad Tornado of 1902 Marker

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

3. Goliad Tornado of 1902 Marker

Goliad County Courthouse - North Face image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

4. Goliad County Courthouse - North Face

Served as a temporary hospital and morgue following the tornado.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,534 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 4. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.