Thomas H. Mathis was responsible for choosing the site of this town. He gave 300 acres for the townsite, provided land for a school, and promised to give land to any church building a permanent site in the town. He was a founder of the Coleman, Mathis & Fulton Cattle Company. In his lifetime, he amassed more than 60,000 acres and surrounded it all with a fence. After the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Pacific Railroad arrived in 1913, the town quickly grew as a trading post. Stop at the Old San Patricio Museum to learn more about this city's history.
While the Mathis farm mainly raised cattle, by the 1930s, farmers in the area began growing many different types of vegetables commercially, including onions, cabbage, carrots, and spinach. In the 1950s, F. H. Vahlsing improved irrigation and purchased over 7,000 acres to grow vegetables on. That period of the city's history was over about 1965, but you can still find terrific vegetables grown locally. Consider dining at one of the local restaurants like Smolik's Smokehouse, Taqueria Vallarta, or Puerto De Mazatlan Taqueria when you visit this city of about 4,800 people.
Many people use Mathis as a base while playing on Lake Corpus Christi. Locals constructed the first dam in 1929, but it failed after only a few months. Civilian Conservation Corps members rebuilt it in 1935, and the reservoir was named Lake Corpus Christi. The lake covers more than 21,000 acres and is one of the largest artificial bodies of water in the Lone Star state. Lake Corpus Christi State Park is a fantastic place to visit while playing on this lake.
Freedom Fest – This July 4th festival features family games, food, and entertainment.
Halloween Block Party – Head to downtown Beeville on Halloween evening for food, costume contests, and children's activities.
Bee Saturday Bazaar – Held throughout the warmer months, shop with local vendors at this event at the Beeville Depot Pavillion.
Armed Forces Day Celebration – Start the day at the parade honoring all military forces before listening to patriotic music and eating fajitas at this May festival in Beeville.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park is about four miles southwest of Mathis. This park is a fantastic place to fish for largemouth and white bass, crappie, blue, channel and flathead catfish, and bluegill and redear sunfish from the lake or the two lighted fishing piers. Kayaks and paddleboats are available to rent, and you can go swimming. You can also go geocaching at this park.
Choke Canyon State Park near Calliham is a fantastic place to go camping at the full-service campground. The 26,000-acre Choke Canyon Reservoir is an excellent place for largemouth bass and catfish. You may even see an alligator at this park. Start your visit at the South Shore unit so that you are ready to go stargazing at your Calliham unit site when the sunsets.
Mustang Island State Park near Corpus Christi is the perfect place for a beach day. Build a sandcastle before taking a dip in Corpus Christi Bay. Consider paddling along the 20-mile-long Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. Fishing from canoes is a popular activity at this state park.
When visiting Corpus Christi, you will want to see the downtown Queen of the Sea statue at Broadway and Peoples. This statue depicts King Neptune and Mother Earth holding a crown above an allegorical female. The female, which represents Corpus Christi, holds a bouquet and the keys to success. The Daughters of the Confederacy, Corpus Christi Chapter, and the two local newspapers paid for this statue created by Pompeo Coppini in 1914.
Corpus Christi campgrounds are wonderful places to stay when exploring Mathis. If you love the water, consider Puerto del Sol RV Park, located right on Corpus Christi Bay. Since 1933, campers looking to explore downtown Corpus Christi have stayed at Hatch RV Park. Golfers will want to consider On The Beach RV Park next to Palmilla Beach Golf Club and the beach.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Mathis, TX, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Mathis?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Mathis from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Mathis?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
