Goliad

City of Goliad, Goliad County, Texas
Goliad, the county seat of Goliad County, originated as one of the oldest Spanish colonial municipalities in the state. The town is on the Southern Pacific Railroad, the San Antonio River, U.S. highways 59 and 183, and State Highway 239. It was established in October 1749, when colonizer José de Escandón recommended moving Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga Mission and its royal protector, Nuestra Señora de Loreto de La Bahía del Espíritu Santo Presidio (Presidio La Bahía), from the Guadalupe River to a site named Santa Dorotea, on the San Antonio River. A new presidio, La Bahía, was built on a hill near the river, where sand, limestone, and timber were abundant. Around the presidio walls grew the settlement of La Bahía, and on the opposite bank stood Mission Espíritu Santo.
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.
Jeri Robison Turner | © Texas State Historical Association
Goliad at a Glance
Belongs to
Goliad is part of or belongs to the following places.
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Currently Exists
Yes
Place type
Goliad is classified as a Town
Associated Names
- (La Bahia 1)
Locations
-
- Latitude
- 28.67091980
- Longitude
- -97.39169100
Has Post Office
Yes
Is Incorporated
Yes
Photos of Goliad and surrounding areas

City of Goliad, Goliad County, Texas
Historic District in the City of Goliad, the seat of Goliad County, Texas. Photograph by Renelibrary.

Goliad by the Numbers
Population Counts
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Population Counts
Goliad
Pop. | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
2,058 | 2019 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,908 | 2010 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,975 | 2000 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,946 | 1990 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,990 | 1980 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,709 | 1970 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,750 | 1960 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,580 | 1950 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,446 | 1940 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,424 | 1930 | Texas Demographic Center |
2,500 | 1920 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,261 | 1900 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,212 | 1860 | Texas Demographic Center |
648 | 1850 | Texas Demographic Center |