Prussian immigrant F.H. Arlitt accented his 1871 manuscript map of Goliad County with color to distinguish the county boundaries and large land grants. In addition to the lands surveyed for private owners, the map prominently displays the “Town Tract” in the center showing the town of Goliad, and La Bahia the former location of the Spanish mission and presidio. In a unique embellishment, Arlitt made the town of Goliad the map's compass rose, with fine red lines radiating from its center to form the directional points. Nearly every map drawn by Arlitt features creative ornamentation. Arlitt was either the compiler or draftsman of 32 county maps in his more than 20 years of employment at the General Land Office.

Encompassing famous revolutionary sites like Coleto Creek and Presidio La Bahia, this map of Goliad County carries a sense of historical importance. Compiled and Drafted by notable GLO draftsman FH Arlitt, this map contains the surveys of the original land titles for the county and is bisected by red lines with which to calculate bearing from the county seat. F.H. Arlitt’s 1871 manuscript map of Goliad County is accented with color to distinguish the county boundaries and large land grants. In addition to the lands surveyed for private owners, the map prominently displays the “Town Tract” in the center showing the town of Goliad and La Bahia, where the Spanish mission and presidio were located. In a unique embellishment, Arlitt made the town of Goliad the compass, with fine red lines radiating from its center to form the directional points.

Nearly every map drawn by this Prussian native features some creative ornamentation. In his more than 20 years of employment in the General Land Office, Arlitt was either the compiler or draftsman of 32 county maps.