|
GOLIAD,
Texas (April 26, 2010)
- A Historic Texas Lands Plaque was unveiled today
at the site of historic Presidio La Bahia (Fort of
the Bay) National Historic Landmark in Goliad County.
The plaque was presented to Newton Warzecha, Director
of the Presidio and a representative of the Catholic
Diocese of Victoria, which owns the property. The
plaque is awarded to landowners who have taken the
necessary steps to identify archeological sites on
their property designated as a State Archeological
Landmark and are permitting major research or have
established a conservation easement preventing unwanted
development on the property.
"This plaque serves the purpose of thanking participating
landowners as well as encouraging others to take notice
of sites on their land and to take pride in their
role of stewardship," said Jim Bruseth, Director of
the THC's Archeology Division. "Sites like this one
help tell the real stories of Texas and preserve them
for future generations."
As a representative of the Diocese, Warzecha has worked
to protect and preserve the archeological integrity
of the site and has helped document, conserve and
curate the important collection of material remains
resulting from the archeological excavations that
took place during the 1960s restoration. Recently,
Warzecha helped orchestrate the complete renovation
of the museum's interior - 3½ years at a cost of $500,000.
In 2008, he encouraged the Diocese to acquire a State
Archeological Landmark designation on the property.
"We are very excited about what has been achieved
here at Presidio La Bahia through the efforts of the
Presidio La Bahia Advisory Board and The Presidio
La Bahia Foundation," Warzecha said. "We are now better
able to educate Texans and visitors to this prestigious
National Historic Landmark about the important place
this historic fort and Goliad have in the story of
Texas."
Presidio La Bahia located in Goliad, TX, is the third
and final location for the Spanish presidios bearing
this name. Established in 1721 in Victoria County
and moved to its present location in Goliad in 1749,
the third location of Presidio La Bahia, along with
its accompanying mission, Our Lady of Loreto Chapel,
served to establish a strong Spanish presence in an
area considered Spanish frontier territory. The Presidio's
significance to Texas history began on the night of
Oct. 9, 1835, when a group of Texas citizens, led
by Capt. George Collinsworth, captured Presidio La
Bahia from the Mexicans in what was one of the first
offensive actions in the Texas Revolution. The first
Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in the
chapel at Presidio La Bahia, which still stands today
and is one of the oldest continually functioning churches
in America.
Presidio La Bahia is also the location of the historic
1836 execution of Col. James W. Fannin and 341 of
his men at the order of Mexican Gen. Santa Anna. Set
on a high point against the majestic south Texas skies,
Presidio La Bahia stands as one of the state's most
poignant shrines to the struggle for Texas independence.
The state of Texas contains more than two million
archeological sites, with more than 90 percent on
privately owned land. The THC's Historic Texas Lands
Plaque recognizes private landowners who preserve
important archeological sites on their land.
To learn more about protecting archeological sites
throughout Texas contact the THC's Archeology Division
at 512.463.6096 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us.
and http://www.presidiolabahia.org/
|
