Mathis, T. H., House
612 Church St., Rockport, TXThomas H. Mathis was born on July 14, 1834, in Stewart County, Tennessee. He received his early education in country schools of Tennessee and Kentucky and at the age of nineteen, he entered the school of Dr. J.T. Mathis in Southern Arkansas. He remained there for two sessions and then taught school for a year before he went to Bethel College, where he finished his education in 1857.
After a short career in teaching, he moved to Southwest Texas in 1859 and became a businessman engaged in trade in Mexico. Mathis temporarily opened a school in Gonzales in 1861 and in the summer of the same year, he moved to Victoria, Mathis speculated in tobacco in the early part of the war and accumulated large profits. In 1862, he acted as a supplier for the Confederate troops of the Trans-Mississippi Department. In the fall of 1862, Mathis joined Duff's regiment, Company E, and fought for the Confederacy until the close of the Civil War.
After the Civil War, Mathis returned to private business and moved to Aransas Bay at the site of the present town of Rockport. Mathis was a highly successful businessman whose interests included large-scale ranching and agriculture holdings in Wharton, San Patricio, and Aransas counties. Between 1872 and 1879, T. H. Mathis was a part of the Coleman, Mathis, and Fulton Pasture Company, a large-scale Texas ranching enterprise that continued for more than fifty years and, at its peak, controlled over 150,000 acres. In addition to holdings in real estate and shipping, Mathis encouraged the development of communications in Southeast Texas and engaged in road and bridge building. He was president and principal stockholder in the National Bank of Rockport.
Mathis was an outstanding citizen of South Texas and the town of Mathis in San Patricio County was named for him.
Local significance of the building:
After a short career in teaching, he moved to Southwest Texas in 1859 and became a businessman engaged in trade in Mexico. Mathis temporarily opened a school in Gonzales in 1861 and in the summer of the same year, he moved to Victoria, Mathis speculated in tobacco in the early part of the war and accumulated large profits. In 1862, he acted as a supplier for the Confederate troops of the Trans-Mississippi Department. In the fall of 1862, Mathis joined Duff's regiment, Company E, and fought for the Confederacy until the close of the Civil War.
After the Civil War, Mathis returned to private business and moved to Aransas Bay at the site of the present town of Rockport. Mathis was a highly successful businessman whose interests included large-scale ranching and agriculture holdings in Wharton, San Patricio, and Aransas counties. Between 1872 and 1879, T. H. Mathis was a part of the Coleman, Mathis, and Fulton Pasture Company, a large-scale Texas ranching enterprise that continued for more than fifty years and, at its peak, controlled over 150,000 acres. In addition to holdings in real estate and shipping, Mathis encouraged the development of communications in Southeast Texas and engaged in road and bridge building. He was president and principal stockholder in the National Bank of Rockport.
Mathis was an outstanding citizen of South Texas and the town of Mathis in San Patricio County was named for him.
Commerce; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Texas is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
About Aransas County
Aransas County Timeline
Aransas County, located on the southwestern coast of Texas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Lipan Apache. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, followed by French and English explorers in the 17th century. These early expeditions led to the establishment of Spanish missions and settlements in the region.
In the 19th century, Aransas County played a significant role in the fight for Texas independence from Mexico. The famous Battle of Refugio, a key engagement in the Texas Revolution, took place in the county in 1836. Following Texas' independence, Aransas County was officially established in 1871, named after the Aransas River, and Rockport became the county seat.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Aransas County thrived as a shipping and fishing hub. The construction of the railroad in the late 1800s greatly accelerated the county's growth, connecting Rockport to major cities and markets. The fishing industry also boomed, attracting entrepreneurs and providing economic stability.
However, the 20th century brought challenges to Aransas County, including economic recessions and natural disasters. Hurricanes, such as the devastating Hurricane Harvey in 2017, have had a significant impact on the county's coastal communities. Despite these obstacles, Aransas County has shown resilience and continues to attract tourists with its natural beauty, historic sites, and recreational opportunities, making it an important part of Texas history and culture.
In the 19th century, Aransas County played a significant role in the fight for Texas independence from Mexico. The famous Battle of Refugio, a key engagement in the Texas Revolution, took place in the county in 1836. Following Texas' independence, Aransas County was officially established in 1871, named after the Aransas River, and Rockport became the county seat.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Aransas County thrived as a shipping and fishing hub. The construction of the railroad in the late 1800s greatly accelerated the county's growth, connecting Rockport to major cities and markets. The fishing industry also boomed, attracting entrepreneurs and providing economic stability.
However, the 20th century brought challenges to Aransas County, including economic recessions and natural disasters. Hurricanes, such as the devastating Hurricane Harvey in 2017, have had a significant impact on the county's coastal communities. Despite these obstacles, Aransas County has shown resilience and continues to attract tourists with its natural beauty, historic sites, and recreational opportunities, making it an important part of Texas history and culture.
Aransas County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Aransas County, Texas.
- Pre-1800s: Aransas County was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa tribe, who relied on fishing and hunting for their livelihoods.
- 1825: The area that would become Aransas County was part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas.
- 1834: The Mexican government granted a land title for the area to James Power and James Hewetson.
- 1839: The Republic of Texas established Aransas County as one of its original counties. At this time, the county covered a much larger area than it does today.
- 1850s: The county began to see increased settlement with the founding of towns like Rockport and Fulton, primarily due to the potential for trade and access to natural resources like timber, fish, and shellfish.
- 1861-1865: Aransas County, like other parts of Texas, was greatly affected by the American Civil War. Union forces occupied the area at various times during the war.
- Late 19th century: The county's economy continued to rely on industries like fishing, cattle ranching, and cotton farming. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further facilitated commerce in the region.
- 20th century: The early 1900s brought changes to the county, including the arrival of the oil and gas industry, which brought new jobs and economic opportunities. Hurricane Harvey hit the county in 2017, causing significant damage but also spurring community recovery efforts.
- Present day: Aransas County remains a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic coastal landscapes, wildlife habitats, and recreational activities like fishing and birdwatching.