Mason, Texas, Mason county seat. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
One of the first settlers in the area was Wm. S. Gamel in 1846. Fort Mason was established in 1851 and settlers were attracted by the protection that the fort provided from Indians. Germans moved into the area from Fredericksburg and even soldiers settled the town after their discharge. In 1858 the town received mail as well as the fort's supplies from San Antonio. The post office opened in town and the name was changed from Fort Mason to Mason that same year.
Fort Mason: The fort played no part in the Civil War other than being surrendered to Confederate forces in 1861. The Confederates didn't need it and the townsfolk appropriated much of the abandoned fort and equipment. It was reestablished in 1866 and then abandoned for good in 1868.
In the 1870's Mason County was the scene of a violent feud between German settlers and Anglo ranchers. Known as the "Hoo-Doo" War or the Mason County War - it was a nasty business of many killings with no one ever standing trial.
Mason became a stage stop after the war and it never did get a railroad - usually an very important milestone to a developing town. In 1923 Mason was the largest "city" in Texas without a railroad.
Mason street scene
TE Photo, 2000
Mason, Texas
Landmarks & Attractions
Fort Mason ›
Reconstructed officer's quarters built on original foundation. After the fort was abandoned in 1869, most of the stone was carted off to build Mason's residences.
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, January 2006
- The Mason County Museum: 300 Moody Street In an old schoolhouse c. 1875 - built from salvaged stone from Fort Mason's buildings.
- Fort Mason City Park: one mile South of town on Highway 87 - 125 acres with lots of shade and picnic tables, playground, RV park etc.
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The Mason County Jail, still serving its original purpose Photo courtesy Shannan Yarbrough, 2005 |
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The Odeon Theatre in Mason TE Photo, 2000 |
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Mason, Texas Chronicles
On the Road with Basse Express by Michael Barr
"Basse Express was one of the most recognizable businesses in the Texas Hill Country... In 1949 a business arrangement turned daily operations of Basse Express over to Ruben Rode, owner of Rode Freight Lines in Mason. The local terminal was located at 215 East Park Street (formerly the Peanut Warehouse)."
Mason Architecture
Photo courtesy Ernie Wymer, January 2008
Mason County Chamber of Commerce
915-347-5758
108 Fort McKavett St.
Website: http://www.masontxcoc.com
Mason, Texas Forum
Subject: Cisterns in Mason
I am doing research on historic above ground cisterns (water towers) in Mason, Texas. I was recently told that an article was written in the last five years stating that a greater number of these cisterns have been preserved in Mason than any other town in Central Texas. I have not been able to find this article and asking your readers if they can provide me with the name of the magazine and date of the publication. - Gerron Hite, Architect, ghite734@gmail.com, September 04, 2012
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