Goliad, Texas

Goliad is a city in Goliad County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,975 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Goliad County.

History

In 1749, at which time Goliad was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain, a Spanish fort was founded at an existing Aranama Native American village in response to French encroachment in Spanish claimed territory. The fort was called Presidio La Bahía del Espíritu Santo. A mission for the soldiers was built inside the presidio and was called our Lady of Loreto chapel.

Presidio La Bahia (Fort of the bay) was originally built near Lavaca Bay in 1721, but the site proved unsuitable. It was rein 1726 further inland near Victoria, Texas and finally at its present location in 1749. Although, it had moved inland, the fort was still responsible for the defense of the coastal areas and east Texas.

Franciscan priests also established the Mission of Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga outside the presidio to convert the local Karankawa Indians. The village of La Bahía grew under the protection of the presidio and the mission.

In 1829, the name of the village of La Bahía was changed to Goliad, an anagram of Hidalgo (omitting the silent initial "H"), in honor of the patriot priest Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexico's independence.

On October 9, 1835, a group of Texians attacked the presidio, defeated the Mexican garrison and took control of the fort. The first declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas was signed here on December 20, 1835.

On Palm Sunday,March 27, 1836 during the Texas Revolution, the Goliad massacre occurred here when General Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered the Mexican army to execute Colonel James Fannin and 341 of his men, who surrendered after the Battle of Coleto.

Goliad was the birthplace of the famous Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza.

On May 18, 1902, a devastating tornado struck Goliad, killing 114 persons. It is tied for the deadliest tornado in Texas history and the 10th deadliest in the United States.

Texas Revolution

Goliad was a crucial part of the Texas revolution, as it was the location of the Goliad Massacre. Col. Fannin used the Presidio La Bahia to shelter his forces against the Mexicans. All but twenty-eight of his men were later killed in the massacre. 342 men died that day.

Geography

Goliad is located at (28.668865, -97.391850).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 km² (1.5 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,975 people, 749 households, and 518 families residing in the city. The population density was 498.4/km² (1,294.3/mi²). There were 877 housing units at an average density of 221.3/km² (574.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.44% White, 6.08% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 14.99% from other races, and 2.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 49.72% of the population.

There were 749 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,200, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $28,889 versus $20,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,997. About 19.7% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Goliad Independent School District ^*serves Goliad.

External links

Goliad Directory