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Mathis
street scene
TE photo, February 2006 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
In 1887 when the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad was laying
tracks across San Patricio County, Thomas H. Mathis got naming rights
when he donated 300 acres for a townsite and school. Mathis could
well afford 300 acres since he and his brother J. M. Mathis, held
37,000 acres in the vicinity. The brothers had dropped out of the
Coleman, Mathis, Fulton Cattle Company in 1879. Thomas Mathis owned
an additional 60,000 acres around Mathis and built a fence enclosing
the town. As late as 1906 Mathis was enclosed and arriving and departing
trains had to be let in and let out.
Mathis' success was partially fueled by residents of Lagarto
moving to be near the railroad. The Mathis post office opened in 1890
and the towns first school was held in a private residence in 1893.
Two years later a one-room school built and in 1913 a second railroad
(The San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Pacific) arrived.
Cotton and corn crops were grown and ranching was an important part
of the economy. During the 30s, winter vegetable crops were grown
and both railroads maintained shipping sheds. Mathis incorporated
in 1939. |
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Icehouse
TE photo, February 2006 |
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Mathis
water tower
TE photo, February 2006
More Water Towers |
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Old
neon
TE photo, February 2006
More Old Neons
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In the early
1950s 7,000 acres of land two miles north of town were developed for
vegetable crops - complete with irrigation and deep water wells. Cotton,
corn and sorghum replaced vegetables in the 60s.
In the 1930s the Nueces River was dammed and Lake Mathis (since renamed
Lake Corpus Christi) was formed. Construction of the Wesley Seale
Dam in the late 50s raised the level of the lake to where it became
desirable for weekend homes.
In 1988 Mathis had a population of 5,910 which has since decreased
to 5,034. |
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