Goliad & Presidio La Bahia

On our recent trip to the coast, we decided to take the scenic route along Highway 183 which takes you through the small town of Goliad.  If you have never visited the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, I encourage to do so.
http://www.presidiolabahia.org/index.html 

This historic fort played a key role in Texas History. It was at this fort that the first formal Texas Declaration of Indepence was signed in December 1835. It was also here, a few months later, that the worst massacre in Texas history took place under the orders of General Santa Anna.

This week marks the 175th anniversary of the Goliad Massacre on March 27, 1836.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qeg02.  The massacre, following on the heels of the defeat at the Alamo, became part of the Texians' battle cry at San Jacinto -- "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!"

The Goliad Masscre took place just a few weeks after the Battle of the Alamo when the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna marched through Goliad on their way toward San Jacinto.  They encountered the Republic of Texas soldiers at the Presidio La Bahia, defeated them in battle and took the Texians prisoner. The Mexican army held the prisoners captive for a week. But on Palm Sunday, the Mexican army was ordered to march the captive Texian soldiers out to the road near the fort and shoot them at point-blank range. 342 soldiers were killed. A handful managed to escape with the help of the Angel of Goliad. http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/goliadangel.htm

The Presidio La Bahia is also site to one of the oldest churches in America. This beautiful chapel, Our Lady of Loreto, still serves as a community church today and has been in continuous use since the 1700s. The inside of the chapel is painted with beautiful murals.  But outside, be sure to see the statue of Our Lady of Loreto located in the niche above the chapel entrance. This statue was sculpted by Mount Rushmore sculptor Lincoln Borglum. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rushmore/peopleevents/p_lborglum.html