A Day Exploring Goliad, Tx

Yesterday, which was Saturday, March 18th we started out by visiting downtown Victoria and Trade Days at the town square. The weather was iffy and I was afraid that it would get rained out, but only a few very light sprinkles fell so it didn't seem to stop the vendors from setting up. I was disappointed as far as what the vendors were selling - mostly jewelry and candles. I don't need any jewelry and thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, I have an "inside" supply source for candles! There was one vendor that had plants and they were beautiful. Here is a picture of some of the flowering variety.

After the Trade Days we decided to drive over to Goliad, Tx. to the state park and Mission Nuestra Senora Del Espiritu Santo De Zuniga or Mission Espiritu Santo. This mission was constructed in 1749. The mission was active until 1830 when declining Indian population, lack of money and political turmoil in Mexico forced it to close. After decades of neglect the Texas State Park system acquired the site and under took restoring the Mission. It is a big contrast to the other missions that we had visited in San Antonio in that it's white.


I'm adding a couple of pictures of the mission. The first one is the church and the second one really caught my interest since it actually has a skull and crossbone above the side door of the church. I was told by one of the volunteers that it is called the funeral door. This is the only door that a corpse could be brought in and out of for a funeral service.

After we finished touring Espiritu Santo we drove back to town (Goliad) for some lunch. The restaurant was on the square and in a very old building that had a metal tile ceiling - very ornate. Didn't take a picture inside, but here is one from across the street. It is the corner building...

Goliad has a really neat town square. Most of the buildings surrounding the courthouse are original and date back to the late 1800's. Unfortunately, I have more pictures than I can post here, but will try a couple. The courthouse itself is a beautiful building and was constructed in 1894. There is so much history in this area as far as the American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo cultures are concerned. Goliad also had their "wild west days" so to speak. In front of the courthouse is a tree called the "hanging tree" where law breakers were delt with immediately after sentence was passed - no appeals back in those times!

Notice the little building squeezed between the larger two - guess they wanted to get on the square also, regardless how small or maybe that was all they could afford? The buildings on each side were build by the same person, one year apart.

Here is the "hanging tree". There is still a rope hanging from the tree - anyone want to try it?

We returned home tired after doing a good bit of walking, but really enjoyed the day.