Two years later, a one-room school was built, and in 1913, a second railroad (the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Pacific) arrived.

In the early 1950s, 7,000 acres (28 km2) of land two miles (3 km) north of town were developed for vegetable crops—complete with irrigation and deep-water wells.

Construction of the Wesley Seale Dam in the late 1950s raised the level of the lake to where it became desirable for weekend homes.

Lake Corpus Christi is a 21,000-acre (85 km2) reservoir on the Nueces River, lying four miles (6.4 km) northwest of Mathis.

The lake is a recreational spot in South Texas offering swimming, skiing, boating, and fishing.

Large areas of submerged brush in the upper reaches of this 27-mile-long (43 km) lake provide prime fish habitat.

Around its more than 200 miles (320 km) of shoreline, numerous camps and parks provide campsites, boat ramps, fishing piers, and RV and mobile home areas.

One of the more famous battles between the two countries was fought at Old San Patricio, founded by the Irish and located 10 miles (16 km) south of Mathis.

The area, once inhabited by Karankawa and Lipan Apache Indians, became the site of several unsuccessful settlement attempts in the 18th and 19th centuries.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2 sq mi (5.2 km2), all land.

[10] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.