Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site

The Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Park is located adjacent to Presidio La Bahía in Goliad State Park and Historic Site, Goliad County in the U.S. state of Texas. An amphitheater and bronze statue of Ignacio Zaragoza are also on the grounds.

Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
Ignacio Zaragoza Birthplace
Map showing the location of Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
Ignacio Zaragoza Birthplace
LocationGoliad County, USA
Nearest cityGoliad, Texas
Coordinates28°38′53″N 97°22′55″W
Area3 acres (1.2 ha)
Established1976
Governing bodyTexas Parks and Wildlife Department

General Zaragoza

Ignacio Zaragoza was a hero of the Battle of Puebla, which is commemorated each year by Cinco de Mayo celebrations. On May 5, 1862, General Zaragoza and 600 of his forces repelled 6,500 French forces in the city of Puebla, and prevented a French invasion into Mexico.[1][2]

The house

Zaragoza was born in Goliad on this site March 24, 1829. In September 1961, the county of Goliad donated 3 acres (1.2 ha) at Zaragoza's birth site, for a memorial in his honor. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reconstructed his birth home on the foundation.[3] Architectural plans were drawn up for the Parks Department by Raiford Stripling of San Augustine. Stein Lumber Company of Fredericksburg completed construction December 1974. The birthplace was opened to the public on the 114th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 1976. The site also includes an amphitheater.[4]

A 10 feet (3.0 m) bronze statue to commemorate Zaragoza was donated by the people of Puebla, Mexico and unveiled on September 13, 1980. It is located on the grounds of the birthplace in front of the amphitheater.[5]

Facilities, hours, admission

Goliad State Park is open 7 days a week. Entrance fees apply. The Zaragoza house is located outside the park grounds about one mile south of the entrance to Goliad State Park . Group tours need to be arranged in advance.[6]

The Texas State Park Store gift shop is located on Goliad park grounds.[6]

Goliad Park facilities also contain restrooms, a museum, and a playground.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Cinco de Mayo". Mexico Online. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  2. Paredes, Américo; Peña, Manuel (1995). A Texas-Mexican Cancionero: Folksongs of the Lower Border. University of Texas Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-292-76558-0.
  3. "TPWD Zaragoza". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  4. Acosta, Teresa Palomo. "General Zaragoza Birthplace". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
  5. Little, Carol Morris (1996). A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in Texas. University of Texas Press. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-292-76036-3.
  6. "Goliad State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
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