I’ve been wanting to check this out forever, but never seemed to make time for it.  I’ve driven through the parking lot, but Tom was still healing from his first surgery and was using his scooter, so it just wasn’t possible.  We did visit the site of the Goliad Massacre back then, and I’ve never done a post on it yet, so I’ll add that to my list and link it here.  Presidio la Bahia is located at 

But today, Carrie, Melissa, Laura and I are here, and I’m anxious to check it out.  

According to the Texas Historical Commission’s website, “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 cry, “Remember Goliad” heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.”

This is about everything I know about the Presidio.  I may have learned more in Texas History in high school, but that was many many moons ago.  

When you first walk up, you see the nine flags that have flown over this area of Texas.  It’s an impressive sight, and reminds us that there’s a lot of history standing in front of me.  Near the flags is a plaque that gives the timeline of when each were flown over the area.  

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fparttimegypsysouls%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0rUhDDUGjSz8rSo9zqJoDuisC5yHQpibAyrT9qPAi4faST9XkWEwfUJP97tgUki1Pl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="626" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>

We laughed when opening the door, because it’s evident that this was a fort. The door is thick and heavy wood, and I struggled opening it.  When you first walk inside, you enter the gift shop.  The admission is a very affordable $5 per person.  We picked up a free Texas Historical Commission’s passport, stamped with this location, to record our future journeys to THC sites.  We proceed throughout the fort.  It seems every surface is full of rich history, along with plaques that describe the artifacts on display, the people and the time period.

We make our way past the kitchen area, and through the door into the yard of the fort.  We explored the grounds, saw an oxen cart, and it’s easy to imagine the re-enactments taking place here.  I haven’t been to one yet, but I will.  Maybe I can convince Tom to come with me for that.  

Next, we step into a room and I remember that The Quarters can be rented out.  At the time of this writing, Sunday through Thursday the rate is $200/night.  Friday and Saturday is $230/night.  To make reservations, you can call 361-645-3752 or reserve online at https://thc.texas.gov/node/369 .  One really neat thing is that when you rent out The Quarters, you have access to the entire grounds for the duration of your stay.  This is still on my list of things to do.  The story goes that you also may hear sounds that go bump in the night, as the location is purportedly haunted.  

We don’t tour The Quarters, as they are kept private for paying guests, but there is a bunkroom that’s open to walk through.  Again, the history can be felt as you walk through the room.  Next, we make our way past the wooden water well and over to the church.  It’s in the opposite corner, but it’s a beautiful day. 

The church is still an active catholic church. The painting in the sanctuary draws the eye immediately, although the nave has high arched ceilings and round windows up high that draw the eye as well. There is a small room with votive candles that can be lit by parishioners, holy water, and back in the nave, there’s a confessional. It’s a beautiful church, and wrapped up our visit of the Presidio la Bahia.

Next stop: Mission de Espiritu at Goliad State Park.

Joining me today is Carrie, one of my besties and serial co-workers (seriously, I jokingly called her my personal recruiter for years… we worked together at 4 different companies over the last 14 years).  We had planned to get together to discuss how to create reels for her new real estate career.  SHAMELESS PLUG:  Go check out her Facebook page, and if you’re in the market for real estate, DEFINITELY check out her website and give her a call.  Seriously, she’s the absolute best!!  

But the day before we were scheduled to do this, one of my childhood besties from Sugar Land, Melissa, called me and asked if I was busy.  She and her sister, Laura were dying to get out and about and do something different.  I told her what Carrie and I had planned, and they were all in.  So the four of us went off to explore Goliad.  

Goliad is a small town – the census in 2020 recorded the population as 1,620 – with a big impact on Texas history.  Like many small towns here, the courthouse square is graced with a large historical courthouse – this one was built in 1894 of Limestone, brought by ox cart to Goliad from Austin.  Many of the buildings surrounding the courthouse square are marked with similar years.  

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fparttimegypsysouls%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02JzUs4149yifssDmH3cFog24XY292BX8d1DX2eemC1ay9VTCcPbZjn6xr6UAF33s3l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="626" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>

What is unusual here is a large, very old oak tree in the north portion of the courthouse lawn.  A sign in front of it marks it as the “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.  Above 70 men were killed, some of them on this tree before the war was halted by Texas Rangers.”

Another marker reads, “Santa Anna’s Surrender Ratified.  Gen. Vicente Filasola, second in command of Mexican Armies in Texas War for Independence fled from area of his nations defeat at San Jacinto, April 21, 1836.  Filasola’s aim was to go back to Mexico with his army.  After he had passed through Goliad, he was overtaken at Mujerero Creek (12 mi. SW) by Texan Army couriers, Col. Bent Form Smith and Capt. Henry Teal.  Signing the ratification of peace at Mujerero, May 26, 1836, were Gen. Filasola, Gen. Eugene Tolsa, Col. Augustine Amat, Col. Smith, and Capt. Teal.”

Also on the north lawn is a memorial to the Goliad men who lost their lives in World War II.  The transcription of the stone reads, “Because these sons of Goliad County, Texas gave their lives in World War II that freedom might live, the citizens erected this memorial and dedicated it to their undying hopes and everlasting memories”.  The names and ranks of those lost are inscribed on stones on each side of the memorial stone.  

We window shopped and actually shopped in a couple of stores before heading to our next stop – Presidio la Bahia.