HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

Market House Museum

Goliad, Goliad County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Site was dedicated to public use by City Ordinance No. 28, on Aug. 30, 1853. About 1871, market with 12 x2 4-ft. stalls was put up at cost of $550, and rented to sellers of meat and produce. In 1886 this became firehouse, with a meeting hall and a room for hook and ladder equipment. Bell bought 1890 for $45 rang night hours and sounded alarms. Home until 1964 of volunteer fire company, this building was restored in 1967 as a museum. Recorded Texas Hitoric Landmark--1968 Incise on base: Marker sponsored by Volunteer Firemen and Auxiliary.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Goliad set this ground aside for public use by city ordinance in 1853, and around 1871 a market with a dozen stalls rose here for $550, rented to sellers of meat and produce. In 1886 the building became a firehouse with a meeting hall and space for hook-and-ladder equipment, and a bell bought in 1890 rang the hours and sounded alarms. Home to the volunteer fire company until 1964, it was restored as a museum in 1967.

Why it matters

It traces the layered civic life of a small Texas town — commerce, firefighting, and public memory — housed in one enduring building.

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Themes & tags

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