Presidio La Bahía – Haunted Spanish Fort in Goliad, Texas

Presidio La Bahía is a historic Spanish fort located in Goliad, Texas.

Built in the 18th century, it played a major role in Texas history, especially during the Texas Revolution.

It’s now infamous not just for its history, but for the restless spirits said to roam its stone halls and chapel.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1749
Original Purpose: Military fort and mission
Significant Events:
- In 1836, the Goliad Massacre took place here. Over 300 Texan soldiers were executed by Mexican forces under General Santa Anna’s orders.
- The chapel, Our Lady of Loreto, witnessed many final prayers and last words before the killings.

Visitors report hearing phantom footsteps echoing in empty corridors.
Disembodied voices whisper prayers or cries for mercy, especially at night.
Cold spots are felt near the chapel, even on hot summer days.
A common sight is a misty figure pacing along the outer walls—many believe it’s Colonel James Fannin, one of the massacre’s victims.

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The Spirits of the Slain: It’s believed that soldiers killed during the massacre still linger. Their spirits are seen standing guard or weeping in silence.
The Woman in the Chapel: Some visitors have seen a ghostly woman kneeling and praying. She vanishes when approached.
The Candle Incident: Tour guides have reported candles lighting themselves during evening tours, with no one nearby.
Folklore: Locals say if you walk the perimeter at midnight, you’ll hear the final orders of Colonel Fannin whispered on the wind.

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The chapel of Our Lady of Loreto is considered the most haunted area.

It’s where many prisoners spent their last hours and is now the site of frequent shadow sightings and strange temperature drops.

The paranormal doesn’t stop here—this haunted place might also interest you in Texas State? Woman Hollering Creek – Haunted Stream in San Antonio, Texas

Open to the Public? Yes
Entry Fee: $5 per adult
Tour Availability: Self-guided tours daily; special candlelight ghost tours in October
Photography Allowed? Yes
Visiting Hours? 9 AM to 5 PM

Late fall and winter evenings are known for heightened ghost activity, especially around the anniversary of the Goliad Massacre in March.

Visitors often leave shaken, reporting sudden feelings of grief or dread.

Some claim their phones and cameras malfunction only inside the chapel.

One paranormal team recorded faint chanting in Spanish on a digital recorder, though no one was present at the time.

Presidio La Bahía has been featured on several ghost-hunting shows, including Ghost Adventures.

Investigators picked up unexplained EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and sudden temperature changes.

One episode showed equipment reacting wildly inside the chapel, though no source was found.