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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. |
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The Odeon Theatre in Mason
Photo by John Troesser, 2000 |
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Mason, Texas
Points of Interest
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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.
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The
Mason County Jail, still serving its original purpose
Photo courtesy Shannan Yarbrough, 2005 |
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Mason
Architecture
Photo courtesy Ernie
Wymer, January 2008 |
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