Goliad State Park and Mission Espiritu Santo State Historic Site

Thursday, December 30, 2004 through Sunday, January 2, 2005

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See all of the pictures taken in and around Goliad here!

Goliad State Park is located next to Goliad , Texas.  Goliad is in Goliad County Texas, This is in the South Texas Plains region of Texas.   The Texas State Parks web site has information and a map of the park. We have visited Goliad State Park before.

The park hasn't changed much since we were last here in March 2002. This is still one of my favorite parks. I rode my bike around to visit many of the same places I visited on my last trip. Mostly, things have improved. For example, the Goliad County Courthouse renovation is complete. Folks around town have been picking up old derelict junk that was strewn about their homes and businesses. Around the Courthouse Square, some of the buildings are being tastefully restored. Goliad is revitalizing.

Around the Christmas Holidays, the park does a nice job of lighting the replica of the Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga (AKA Mission Espiritu Santo).

While we were at Goose Island State Park enjoying four inches of snow on the ground Christmas day, in Goliad, they had twelve inches of snow. Folks were still talking about it in the grocery store. After Goose Island State Park, we moved South to Mustang Island State Park. While staying at Mustang Island State Park, we rode the Port Aransas Ferry, visited the USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier, visited the Texas State Aquarium, and drove around the Padre Island National Seashore park. All this before getting to Goliad State Park.

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/30/2004/1445

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/02/23/2003/0004

Above left - The Mission Espiritu Santo at night (December 2004).

Above right - The Mission Espiritu Santo during the day (March 2002).

Below left - Nighttime view of the Mission.

Below right - Nighttime view of the Mission.

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/30/2004/1433 Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/30/2004/1428

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/1449

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/1450

Above left - Our campsite.

Above right - The Coleman lantern on the lantern hook.

Right - Wintering Cardinals forage for food.

Below left - Other campsites near ours.

Below right - Wintering birds bathing in a puddle. Cardinals and Robins.

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/9468
Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1475 Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/9472

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/1452

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park//

Above left - The Angel of Goliad. In the background is the grave of Colonel Fannin and his men.

Above right, left, and below is The Angel of Goliad Hike-Bike-Nature Trail.  This trail connects the town square of Goliad to the Goliad State Park, the Presidio La Bahia, and the grave of Colonel Fannin and his men.  Most of the trail is either asphalt or wood decking.   There are no steps.  It was made to ride a bicycle on. I have been traveling the trail by bicycle to revisit many of the sites I saw two years ago in and around Goliad.

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park//

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park//

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park//

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/1454

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/12/31/2004/1455

Above left - The grave of Colonel Fannin and his men.   

Above right - Visitors reading the Historical Society marker at the Fannin grave site.

Left - The names of all the soldiers lost with Colonel Fannin are inscribed on the marble monument. Sobering. Men who died for an idea.

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Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1488 Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1492

Above left - Restored Goliad County Courthouse.

Above right - Restored building now housing the Goliad Pharmacy.

Right - Newly restored building without a tenant.

Below left - Looking down the sidewalk from infront of the tenantless newly restored building.

Below right - Same sidewalk as shown below left.

Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1485
Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1490 Click on image for larger format picture. Goliad State Park/01/01/2005/1479

Copyright © 2005 Larry Pearson - All Rights Reserved