Historic mission was first in the area to feature cattle ranch

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Mission Espiritu Santo near Goliad stands picturesque against the Texas sky. Open for visitors, the site in Goliad State Park offers plenty of historical objects. - Staff photos by Taylor

June 19, 2003 -- Looking up at the crosses on the church and old granary at the Mission Espiritu Santo just outside of Goliad, it's easy to be transported back into the 18th Century ... before there was really a Texas.

In 1749 when the mission was first built, the land was still claimed by Spain, and missions and presidios were built in and around the South Central/South Texas (today) areas in order to protect Spain's property.

Cattle and wild mustangs are said to have run wild, and some were captured by the Indian tribes for food and the horses for transportation.

Missions were self-contained settlements that were established on the frontier of "New Spain" by the Spanish government. The intent was to Christianize and civilize the Indians, and to use them for protection to guard against intruders along the coast ... such as the British or French.

Park employee Kelly Grissom is available to share the historical facts. - Staff photos by Taylor

Since cattle, farming and hunting were the major activities of the Indian tribes, Mission Espiritu Santo became the first mission in the area with a concentration on cattle ranching. During the day, the Indians continued to work with the cattle, capturing what they needed and placing some inside stockades.

Indians in the area included the Aranamas (a subgroup of the Tonkawas) of the Mission Espiritu Santo, and the Karankawas who lived in another area mission on and off for over 100 years. Since the two tribes did not get along, they had their individual missions established by the New Spain government.

During the years following the establishment of Mission Espiritu Santo, cattle ranching continued to be the major business, along with grain and cotton farming. The first organized cattle drive out of the mission area, and around Goliad, was led by General Bernardo de Galvez, governor of Louisiana and, later, the Viceroy of New Spain, in 1779.

This cattle drive originated in order to feed Spanish forces in Louisiana, and an estimated 15,000 head of Longhorns were herded by local settlers, as well as "vaqueros" (both Tejano and Indians) involved in the missions, between 1779-1782. This area would later see drives that would make up the old Chisholm Trail, but the first cattle herded through the missions areas originated before Texas became a state, and shortly after the United States won it's independence from the British.

The mission complex usually included a church, a residence for the Franciscan priests, living quarters for the Indians, as well as workshops and storehouses. It is believed that the largest population in the three acre, walled mission included up to 400 citizens.

The mission now features a museum to display interesting artifacts, including this cattle brand shaped like a chalice, which represents the church. - Staff photos by Taylor

At Mission Espiritu Santo, the outside walls were built in 1749, and were around 10 to 12 feet tall. Although not nearly as high, the same walls still exist some 254 years, later. The mission was protected by two, manned cannons.

Outside the various missions were the presidios. These presidios were built as a fort garrisoned by Spanish soldiers for the protection of the missions and nearby settlements, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife information. Also, they served as a reminder of Spanish authority and rule in the frontier of "New Spain."

At Mission Espiritu Santo, ranching was big business. According to Kelly Grissom, Goliad State Park employee, cattle was king in this part of Texas way before the famous XIT and King Ranches existed. Information inside the museum states there were around 40,000 head of cattle roaming the area, with 16,000 of them branded, at one period of history. Some of them were kept in a stockade just outside of the mission walls, and a few were inside the walls.

Originally, the mission consisted of the church, the granary and a workshop. While the church is still used for services, weddings, etc., the granary has been converted into a museum, which explains what went on inside the walls of the mission ... complete with maps, old tools that were used, door hardware with a Moorish influence and models of various activities and the complete mission.

Although there is still evidence of the original buildings and wall, after the Great Depression, the Citizen Conservation Corps (CCC) was organized to address the need for jobs for men and projects that needed to be completed across the United States.

Rayford Strikling, a graduate of Texas A&M University, was hired to restore the mission, after storms in the 1830s damaged much of the buildings. "This was one of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt's pet projects ... she came here several times," explained Grissom.

Although there were other missions in the Goliad area which needed repair and restoration, the Mission Espiritu Santo was the one that caught the First Lady's attention. Too, transporting materials was more convenient in Goliad.

"When the Great Depression started, the CCC was set up for the young kids ... 16- to 17-year-olds. The biggest part of these guys, the way I understand it, they were World War I veterans who were needing jobs," said Grissom. "In this case, they weren't CCC 'boys;' they were CCC 'men.'"

He added that they were "fantastic craftsmen," and the results of the restoration reflect those talents. The clay tile floors were replicas of the original flooring, and the buildings were restored to the original state, as much as possible.

In an area rich with early Texas history, Goliad State Park holds a wealth of information for visitors of every age. It takes you back to the time when life was hard, but, perhaps more simple.

Contact Goliad State Park at 361-645-3405 or www.tpwd.state.tx.us.