Goliad is the third oldest municipality and is rich in Texas history. It is the County Seat of Goliad County, one of the oldest counties in Texas.
First named Santa Doretea by the Spaniards in the 16th century, its name was changed February 4th, 1829, to Goliad. The name in an anagram derived from the last name of a Spanish missionary priest, Father Hidalgo.
The town centers around the Goliad County Courthouse, erected in 1894. The second empire style courthouse was designed by noted Texas architect Alfred Giles and was completed in 1894. Limestone was used in the construction and was hauled from Austin by oxcart. It was enlarged and restored in 1964 and is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Goliad's courthouse, along with the 19th and early 20th century structures surrounding it, was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.