Warbirds and Airshows- Historic Site Oakridge 2012

Gonzales, TX Goliad, TX The Alamo, TX San Jacinto, TX

Fort (Presidio) Bahia, Goliad, TX - November 3, 2009
Goliad and the events here have for the most part been lost to mainstream history and pushed aside by the Battle of the Alamo. But it was near here on March 27, 1836 (Nine days after the Alamo) that 342 Texan survivors of the Battle of Coleto were executed by the Mexican Army under the direct orders of Santa Anna. It should be noted that the commander of the Mexican forces tried in vain to get the order reversed and the Mexican soldiers themselves did not want to take part. But orders are orders. It should be noted that Santa Anna had made it clear that anyone taking up arms against him would be considered a pirate, and during this time period of history pirates were put to death. While the massacre here in Goliad was a driving factor in the battle of San Jacinto a month later along with the battle of the Alamo Goliad has been lost in history. The story of the Alamo is a lot more exciting with big names like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie and it a lot more accessible in downtown San Antonio. One has to make a special trip to Goliad but it is well worth it.

Fort Bahia in my opinion due to the location and the reconstruction of the fort in the 1966 this is a more interesting and natural history site than the Alamo.

In October 9, 1835 Texans attached for Bahia and defeated the Mexican garrison at the fort. On December 20, 1835 the first Declaration of Independence was signed here. Lots of good history.

Looking north along the west wall.

Looking east along the south wall.

The main entrance.

The Presidio Bahia goes all the way back to 1749 and was restored in 1966.

The first flag of Texas Independence with an arm cut off holding a sword.

Looking NW over the center of the fort. Before the survivors of the Battle of Coleto were killed they were kept inside the fort in this area. While most of them marched to another location (The actually thought they were being sent free.) to be shot 39 were shot here.

The chapel is not a rebuild. It is original.

the

The cannon is on the NW corner in front of the chapel.

Across the street from the Presidio is the General Ignacio Zaragosa who lead an volunteer army against Santa Anna, who was again in control of Mexico, in 1855 for Mexican Independence. What I thought interesting or maybe disturbing was that when I asked the lady in the fort about this house she wouldn't talk about it. There is still a divide between the Anglos and Hispanics in Texas.