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Trip Planner:   USA  /  Texas  /  Goliad  /  Presidio La Bahia State Historic Site

Presidio La Bahia State Historic Site, Goliad

4.8
#1 of 10 in Things to do in Goliad
Must see · Historic Site · Tourist Spot
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The Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía, known more commonly as Presidio La Bahia, or simply La Bahia is a fort constructed by the Spanish Army that became the nucleus of the modern-day city of Goliad, Texas, United States. The current location dates to 1747.
Today, the presidio is probably most famous for the part it played the Texas Revolution: namely the Battle of Goliad in October 1835, and the Goliad Massacre in March 1836. It was restored in the 1960's and became a National Historic Landmark in 1967. While several adjacent historical sites in Goliad are now part of the Texas state parks system, La Bahia is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Texas but operates as public museum. It continues to be the subject of noted archaeological research.
Founded in 1721 on the ruins of the failed French Fort Saint Louis, the presidio was moved to a location on the Guadalupe River in 1726. In 1747, the presidio and its mission were moved to their current location on the San Antonio River. By 1771, the presidio had been rebuilt in stone and had become "the only Spanish fortress for the entire Gulf Coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the Mississippi River". The civilian settlement, later named Goliad, sprang up around the presidio in the late 18th century; the area was one of the three most important in Spanish Texas.
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Presidio La Bahia State Historic Site reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
228 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • Very interesting historical location. Grounds very well maintained. Did not get to spend a lot of time there due to our schedule. Will be back 
    Very interesting historical location. Grounds very well maintained. Did not get to spend a lot of time there due to our schedule. Will be back  more »
  • Owned by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Texas currently. There is a small entrance fee. Watch the film which gives the history of the site. It is important in that it was a big part of the... 
    Owned by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Texas currently. There is a small entrance fee. Watch the film which gives the history of the site. It is important in that it was a big part of the...  more »
Google
  • I am new to Texas and after hearing about this place I thought I'd see it for myself. Well, I can tell you that this place is sacred. It is truly humbling to see what others were willing to sacrifice to win their freedom and leave a great state for others. You often here about the Alamo but seldom about this Presidio. After all it accounts for one of the five points on the Lone Start of Texas.........worth a visit IMO.
  • It's a great walk through history. It's much bigger than I expected. The museum is full of information and they have lots of period pieces to take you in time. I didn't expect to see that in Goliad, Texas. I do recommend a visit if you're in the area.

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