When I was planning our South Texas trip, I saw the Fannin Memorial Monument on the map, but I did not realize it was about James Walker Fannin... what a true Texas hero - and he was born in Georgia! I am so glad my daughters and I made the effort to visit the monument on May 27, 2025. At the Presidio La Bahía which is nearby to the west, we learned even more about the monument. In fact, I recommend you visit La Bahía first, then drive around the area to see all these other points of interest. Back to Fannin... The Fannin Memorial Monument marks the burial site of Colonel Fannin and over 300 of his fellow volunteer militia men known as the Texians. A massacre... During the Battle of Coleto, while Fannin and his men were retreating away from Presidio La Bahía, Mexican General José de Urrea and his men brutally attacked them. Snuck up on them! There were many mistakes made along the way, but I am sure Fannin tried his best with what he had. Ultimately, a wounded Fannin presented terms for surrender. Urrea wanted to fulfill those white flag wishes, but he first had to write to Mexican president and General Antonio López de Santa Anna who was already at that point a "take no prisoners" sort. After Urrea forced all of the Texians including Fannin to return to La Bahía as prisoners of war, Santa Anna later ordered them all to be executed at dawn. Not a single death request was honored. "His three dying wishes were to be shot in the chest, given a Christian burial and have his watch sent to his family. Instead, the Mexican commanding officer shot Fannin in the face, burned his body with the others and kept the timepiece as a war prize." Many Texans and historians believe, though, if it had not been for this massacre that Sam Houston and his Texas army would not have secured victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, thus Independence for the Lone Star State. While writing this review, I learned that "the Fannin site was the third historic site acquired by the state behind the Alamo and San Jacinto Battleground." "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Goliad is a treasure trove of much more history and other significant sites. The people of the town are friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend. Works Cited https://authentictexas.com/remember-goliad/ https://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/james-fannin https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/coleto-battle-of https://www.history.com/articles/the-goliad-massacre-the-other-alamo read more

See all

I was from Houston. I often drove Fannin street in downtown Houston. I got the reason why the street name was Fannin. The street was named after James Fannin. The monument was not far from Presidio la Bahia. It was too hot to walk. I used my car. The monument was built in 1938. It was a small monument. But it was informative. I stayed here for 10 minutes. But I leaned history on Google for an hour. Let's learn history. read more

Fannin Memorial Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Goliad, Texas

See all

Since I was visiting the Presidio, it would have been sheer laziness not to walk over to the Fannin Memorial. What a joy to discover this treasure of Texas history. Had always heard and been taught about Fannin and the subsequent massacre, but I had never visited. The remains of Fannin and his soldiers are buried under the memorial. At the time I visited, the fields hadn't been mowed. It is a protected wildflower area, and the state was trying to let the flowers and other various plants spread their pollen. Please visit! read more

This monument was right next to the Presidio so of course we had to drive over and look at it. The heat was pretty unbearable but we were able to take some photos. It's a wonderful monument to those that died in the massacre. read more

This pink granite monument to Colonel Fannin is a stark reminder to not trust your enemies. It's beautifully built, behind the Presidio just outside of Goliad along the Texas Independence Trail. It's in a field of wildflowers, flanked by a pair of cannons. The monument reminds me of a Soviet monument, it seems to depict a man being broken free of chains at the top of the monument, and at the base are carved the names all of the hundreds of Texan soldiers who were massacred at the Presidio in Goliad. Colonel Fannin and his troops were killed by Santa Anna's troops during the war for Texas Independence. Just down the road from Goliad, Colonel Fannin waved the white flag and surrendered when he was surrounded by Mexican troops. He believed that he would be treated with the respect and honor that a prisoner of war should be treated. He was wrong. Santa Anna lined up all the Texan troops and executed them. Yikes. The monument is open 24/7, is accessible with a wheelchair, and is free! There's plenty of parking with a dedicated lot, and for a bonus trip, you might browse the cemetery next door. read more

A fantastic bit of Texas history. This is in walking distance of La Bahia and a few other monuments and historic buildings. I highly recommend this spot on the Texas Independence Trail. read more

See all