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With a one week break in their Summer Camps,
I got the opportunity to take 4 of my God-Children on a history
trip to Goliad. I think July 28 th was the hottest and
most humid day of the year, but we managed to have some fun and
learn some Tejas History.
On the many road trips we take to Houston
I am always seeing the fork in the road on Hwy 77 that points to
Goliad on Hwy 77A. I had researched some of the history of the
site especially for Texas Independence from Mexico. The site ranks
with the Alamo and San Jacinto as significant battles for the
independence of Texas from Mexico.
So we took 77A in Refugio (Hwy 183) towards Goliad. The directions
I had printed off had us taking 2441 in Woodsboro, so I was a bit
confused but we found our way to Goliad with little problem. Since
I gassed up near home, the trip was about 90 miles each way.
Our first stop was at the Plaza for General Ignacio Zaragoza, a hero
for both Texas and Mexico as his victory at Puebla saved Mexico from
France. He is responsible for the Cinco de Mayo celebration for
independence from France. We actually toured the Presidio before
his birth house museum, but I put those pictures together for better
clarity of the place.
From there we drove a very short distance to the site of the burial
of Colonel J.W. Fannin and his men. They had been massacred here by
order of Santa Ana. Following his defeat at San Jacinto, the bodies
were gathered up and buried at this memorial site.
We walked across the street to a picnic area where the heroic
efforts of Francisca Alavez in saving some of the prisoners from
execution are noted. When we headed back to the car we noticed
a graveyard next to the Fannin Memorial and it had historic grave
sites as well as being still active.
From there we headed up to the fort area: Presidio La Bahia Del
Espiritu Santo de Zuniga. So there were many interesting history
type displays inside. I'm not sure how much they learned, but they
sure enjoyed themselves and I hope they learned a little bit.
My picture of the battle scene where the carts were formed in
a circle and the Mexican Army was attacking didn't come out too
clear. The boys were noting the death of the horses and the cattle
in the scene. You will have to go there to see it yourself; my shots
through the plastic cover did not work out.
It was lunch time after this tour so we decided to head into Goliad
to eat lunch before our next tour. My original plan was to pick up
fried chicken and have a picnic lunch at Goliad State Park, but it
was around 100F and we decided to eat somewhere inside. I was still
looking for a chicken place, but when Madison saw the Subway, she
suggested we go there, which was fine with me. I had my usual
tuna sandwich, while they all made their own selections.
So after a short break we headed back to Goliad State Park and
checked in for a tour of the Mission Nuestra Señora del
Espiritu Santo de Zùñiga. I was surprised that the
kids got in free and it cost me $3 for the entrance, the exit cost me much
more later. They were told they could ring the bell, which they
did right away.
They enjoyed themselves with the displays and relics. Aiden
tried on the helmet and protective metal cloth. We toured the
grounds and the inside displays. On the way out I bought each
one a different stuffed animal. Then we headed home, but stopped
for ice cream at the Dairy Queen in Odem.
Links:
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Presidio La Bahía, et al.
Goliad Flag
La Bahia Massacre
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