Remembering Goliad

On my recent trip to the Valley we drove through the town of Goliad. For those of you who weren't schooled on the legends of Texas, Goliad was the site of the bloodiest massacre of the Texas Revolution. James Fannin and his men were forced to surrender upon the open plain after fighting with Mexican forces. After learning of Fannin's surrender, Santa Anna sent word to Goliad that the Texas soldiers were to be executed.

The cries of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" rang loud along the San Jacinto River (just east of modern day Houston) just a month later when Sam Houston lead the Texas army to victory.

The Goliad County Courthouse was built in the Second Empire style in 1894. The original clock tower and turrets were removed after a hurricane in 1942. They were replaced in 2003.

There was no long appeals process for death sentences back in the 19th century. Immediately after being convicted of a capital crime, the defendant was brought outside and hung from this oak tree.

This is the downstairs lobby of the courthouse. The tile work on the floor is very intricate.

Here's a shot of the clock tower.