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Mason
street scene
Photo by John Troesser, 2000 |
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. |
| |
The Odeon Theatre in Mason
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.
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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. |
| | The
Mason County Jail, still serving its original purpose
Photo courtesy Shannan
Yarbrough, 2005 | |
Mason Architecture
Photo courtesy Ernie
Wymer, January 2008 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town/subject, please contact
us. | |
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