Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
{{short description|State park in the U.S. state of Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site
| iucn_category =
| photo =House where General Zaragoza was born IMG 0998.JPG| photo_caption =
| photo_width =
| map = Texas#USA
|relief=yes
|label = Ignacio Zaragoza Birthplace
|label_position = left
|marker_size = 6
| location = Goliad County, USA
| nearest_city = Goliad, Texas
| coordinates = {{coord|28|38|53|N|97|22|55|W|region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|3|acre|ha}}
| established =1976
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
}}
The Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Park is an historic site located adjacent to Presidio La Bahía in Goliad State Park and Historic Site, Goliad County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It marks the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, a hero of the 1862 Battle of Puebla. An amphitheater and a bronze statue of Zaragoza are also on the grounds.
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.{{cite web|title=Cinco de Mayo|url=http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm|publisher=Mexico Online|access-date=9 February 2012}}{{cite book|last=Paredes|first=Américo|title=A Texas-Mexican Cancionero: Folksongs of the Lower Border|year=1995|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-76558-0|author2=Peña, Manuel|page=24}}
The house
Zaragoza was born in Goliad at this site on March 24, 1829. In September 1961, the county of Goliad donated {{convert|3|acre|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.{{cite web|title=TPWD Zaragoza |url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/webcasts/goliad/resources/zaragoza2.phtml |publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221225526/https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/webcasts/goliad/resources/zaragoza2.phtml |archive-date=February 21, 2012 }} Architectural plans were drawn up for the Parks Department by Raiford Stripling of San Augustine. Stein Lumber Company of Fredericksburg completed construction in 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.{{cite web|last=Acosta|first=Teresa Palomo|title=General Zaragoza Birthplace|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/gkgfk|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association}}
A {{convert|10|ft|m|adj=on}} 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.{{cite book|last=Little|first=Carol Morris|title=A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in Texas|year=1996|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-76036-3|page=237}}
Facilities, hours, and 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.{{cite web|title=Goliad State Park|url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goliad_and_mission_espiritu_santo/|publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department|access-date=9 February 2012}}
The Texas State Park Store gift shop is located on Goliad park grounds. Goliad State Park facilities also contain restrooms, a museum, and a playground.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120221225526/https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/webcasts/goliad/resources/zaragoza2.phtml Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site]
{{Protected areas of Texas}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaragoza Birthplace}}
Category:History museums in Texas
Category:Protected areas of Goliad County, Texas
Category:Texas State Historic Sites
Category:Protected areas established in 1976
Category:Museums in Goliad County, Texas