Goliad

Small town and administrative headquarters of Goliad County, south Texas; population (1990) 1,900. It is situated near to the San Antonio River, 137 km/85 mi southeast of San Antonio. It is a farming and ranching centre. Goliad also produces some oil and gas.

The town is located on the site of an Aranama American Indian village. In 1749 the Spanish built mission and presidio (fort) to protect it; together they were called La Bahía. The presidio was occupied for a short time by Texans in 1812 and by Mississippians in 1821. During the Texas Revolution (1835–36), control of the presidio alternated between Texas and Mexico. When Texan troops eventually surrendered, they were executed in the ‘Goliad Massacre’, making ‘Remember Goliad!’ as important a battle cry as ‘Remember the Alamo!’ Goliad State Historic Park preserves the mission and presidio.