Name: The Quarters at Presidio La Bahia
Rates: $212.50 per night, tax included


Overview: Small apartment within one of the few surviving Spanish Colonial Mission/Presidio complexes in North America. The Quarters, as they’re called, were most recently used as the residence for diocesan priests, and in a previous era were part of the quarters housing the Presidio’s officers. The Quarters are spacious and comfortable, with two bedrooms (a master, plus a second bedroom with twin beds), a living and dining area with fireplace, a kitchen, bathroom with shower, and central heat and air conditioning. With the exception of visitors from the spirit world, you’ll have the place all to yourself.  

History:  The Goliad site of Presidio La Bahia dates back to 1747, when it was first built as a Spanish mission and fortress. Later it became one of the two major garrisons in Mexican Texas, together with the Alamo. During the Texas Revolution, it was the site of the Goliad Massacre: Colonel James Fannin and his retreating Texian troops (numbering 300+ men) were intercepted by the Mexican army, escorted back to the Presidio, and executed. Today, Presidio La Bahia is operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Texas, and the onsite Our Lady of Loreto Chapel continues to offer Mass every Sunday evening to the community. 

Know: When you rent the Quarters for the evening, you get after-hours access to the entirety of the Presidio’s inner courtyard, via the backdoor. It’s an uncommon opportunity to have a historic Spanish Colonial Mission all to yourself, so take advantage of it. We recommend you bring a couple folding chairs, then sit in the courtyard at sunset contemplating the centuries-long history that surrounds you. We recommend a similar sojourn in the morning, coffee in hand to greet the Texas sun rising above the fortress walls. 

Notably Cozy: The Master Bedroom. The entirety of the Quarters is cozy, of course, but it’s within the bedroom that you’ll most feel the safety of the thick stone walls, the reality that you’re within the boundaries of an actual fort. You’ll find extra blankets in the armoire, and a prayer candle on the window sill. If you’re feeling solemn, extinguish the electric lamps, fire up the candle, wrap up in a blanket, and look for ghosts among the flickering shadows. 

Special Comments: Public visitors to Presidio La Bahia may not see (or, may ignore) the small sign on the front door to your quarters that says, “Private”. Don’t be alarmed if you hear the front door being jiggled a little during daylight hours; it’s probably just curious tourists. And if not, it’s  probably just mischievous spirits.