Goliad, Texas
Embracing the Past
GOLIAD IS ONE OF the oldest municipalities in Texas. In 1749, the Spanish government transferred Mission Espiritu Santo and its royal protector, Presidio La Bahia, to the site of a small Aranama Indian village. A small villa grew up around the walls of the Presidio. It was called La Bahia.The first great cattle ranch in Texas is said to have its beginnings at Mission Espiritu Santo. Mission Espiritu Santo possessed the largest longhorn herds in the state, at times owning more than 40,000 head. Many of the buildings on the Courthouse Square date back to the early 1800s. They now house an assortment of shops, restaurants and bars.
Downtown Walking Tour
Visitors are invited to take the Downtown Walking Tour, which features, among others, the sites below:
Fannin Plaza Park, Goliad County Courthouse, Hanging Tree (Cart War Oak), Masonic Temple, Baptist Oak Tree, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Plan to visit anytime during the year as almost all sites are open.
If time is limited, attend the following:
Goliad Market Days - 2nd Saturday Every Month • 361-645-3563.
Market Days combines arts, crafts, food and fun into one of the largest and most popular street markets in Texas! Come out, rain or shine.
PRCA Rodeo and Goliad County Fair - 3rd weekend in March • 361-645-8204.
Enjoy a parade, PRCA rodeos, carnival, food, dances and so much more!
Presidio La Bahia’s Living History Program Reenactment - First weekend in April • 361-645-3752.
Provides the public with an accurate reenactment of the famous massacre of Colonel Fannin and his men.
Cinco de Mayo - 1st weekend in May • 361-564-5727.
Enjoy music, food, bands, arts, crafts, IBCA BBQ cookoff, and MORE!
Fall Flotilla - 1st Saturday in November • 361-575-6366.
Paddle down 6.6 miles of the San Antonio River in 2.5-4 hours.
Missions Tour de Goliad Bike Ride - 3rd Saturday in October • 361-645-3563.
The Missions Tour de Goliad offers the unique charm and challenges of the South Texas countryside to its riders. Whether you choose the 10, 30,
50 or 65 mile tour, you will pedal past history, live oaks and gentle hills.
Goliad Brewing Company - www.goliadbrewing.com or visit Facebook The Beer Garden is now open every second and fourth Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m. Listen to live music, eat delicious food and tour the brewery. You can even bring your dog! We’re pet-friendly and kid-friendly - games for all ages.
Visit www.goliadcc.org for more information.
THE COLETO CREEK Park and Reservoir located near Goliad is a popular South Texas getaway and fishing hole.
Coleto is well known across the state for its fishing, but it is more than just a great fishing hole! Coleto’s 190-acre park, which provides the only public access to the 3,100 acre reservoir, offers shaded picnic tables with BBQ grills, swimming area, playgrounds and sand volleyball courts; plus, two Pavilions for group events. For overnight stays, there are 78 multi-use campsites, four camping cabins, and four rental travel trailers. The campground also has a one-mile nature trail and eight miles of single track mountain bike trail. On the reservoir you can spot pleasure boaters, jet skiers, water skiers, kayakers, and sailboats quietly slipping along. Coleto attracts this variety of boaters because of its many coves - which can provide calm waters out of the sometimes windy main reservoir; and long arms of the reservoir - which provide long ski runs.
Coleto is a prime migratory winter site for a wide variety of waterfowl and birds including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Hummingbirds, Roseate Spoonbills,
and White Pelicans. Coleto has recorded over 100 different bird species. Plus, the area offers an abundance of wildlife including deer, squirrels, turkey, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, and others.
So consider a visit to the Coleto Creek Park and Reservoir and “Come Make a Memory With Us.”
Visit our website at www.coletocreekpark.com for more details.
