I f there’s one thing Texas can be proud of it’s its county courthouses. This is the third one to serve Goliad County, and it has seen better days. Early photographs show it’s clock tower and turrets. These were removed after being severely damaged in a hurricane in 1942. There are reports that plans are being made to replace the tower and turrets, but no firm dates have been set. An addition was put on the building in 1964, further compromising its architectural majesty. Unlike other parts of Texas which have existed under six governments, Goliad is one of the few places to have been ruled by nine governments, and the nine flags are prominently displayed around the town and around the courthouse. The courthouse is also surrounded by gnarled old oak trees. While these are pretty and historically significant, it makes photographing the courthouse very difficult without resorting to climbing on top of another building.
Outside is a plaque reading:
"Goliad Tornado of 1902 A Cyclone considered one of the two most disastrous in Texas history, struck Goliad on Sunday, May 18, 1902. The twister touched down on the south side of the San Antonio River at 3:35 p.m. Sounding like a heavily loaded freight train, the storm ripped a mile long, half-mile wide path across the northwest section of town, destroying over 100 homes and leaving an official death toll of 114. At least 50 members of a black Methodist church died when their sanctuary was razed. After the disaster, the Goliad County Courthouse served as a temporary hospital and morgue. (1978)"
1976 - Goliad County Courthouse named a Texas Historic Landmark.
