Mason, Texas

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Mason is a city in, and the county seat of, Mason County, Texas, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The city is an agricultural community on Comanche Creek southwest of Mason Mountain, on the Edwards Plateau and part of the Llano Uplift. Its population was 2,121 at the 2020 census.<ref name=":0" />

History

The first settler is thought to have been Peter S. Parker in 1846. The settlement of Mason grew up around Fort Mason, which was established by the United States War Department as a front-line defense against Kiowa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche, on July 6, 1851. George W. Todd established a Fort Mason post office March 8, 1858, which became consigned to the civilian settlement on June 26, 1858.<ref>Template:Cite webJim Wheat</ref> The protection and commercial possibilities of the fort drew settlers. W. C. Lewis opened a general store that served soldiers and settlers. In 1860, James E. Ranck opened a second store and later became known as "the Father of Mason". Ben F. Gooch and he began leasing Template:Convert of land to cotton sharecroppers. Mason was voted the county seat in 1861.<ref name="Mason, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref>

After the Civil War, returning Confederate veterans and German ranchers clashed in 1875 over cattle rustling and other crimes. The resulting killings were known as the "HooDoo Wars". In the midst of the war, Loyal Valley homeowner Tim Williamson<ref name="The Mason County Hoo Doo War, 1874-1902 (A.C. Greene Series)"/> was murdered by a dozen masked vigilantes, who accused him of cattle theft. Williamson's adopted son, Texas Ranger Scott Cooley,<ref name="The Mason County Hoo Doo War, 1874-1902 (A.C. Greene Series)">Template:Cite book</ref> sought revenge. Cooley and his desperadoes, which included Johnny Ringo,<ref name="John Ringo, King of the Cowboys: His Life and Times from the Hoo Doo War to Tombstone, Second Edition (A. C. Greene)">Template:Cite book</ref> created a reign of terror over the area. During this episode, Ringo committed his first murder, that of James Cheyney.<ref>Template:Cite web TexFiles</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The first courthouse and jail were built in 1869 of stone walls lined with post oak timbers. After the Hoo Doo War, a new two-story red sandstone jail was built in 1898 by L.T. Noyes of Houston. Noyes was a contractor with Diebold Safe and Lock Company.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A courthouse was built in 1875 and burned down in 1877. A new courthouse was built in 1878 and burned down in 1900. The current granite courthouse was erected in 1909 by architect E. H. Hosford and Co. in the Classic Revival style.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It burned down in 2021, but courthouse records and most furniture had been removed prior to the fire to prepare for a renovation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 3, 1918, 18 months after United States Congress declared war on Germany, the Mason County Council of Defense drew up a resolution to abandon the use of the German language in the county. Most county residents are of German heritage.<ref name="Mason County, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Broad Street Bridge, a reinforced-concrete truss and the only one of its kind in Texas, was built across the Comanche Creek in 1918. The span is 102 ft long and composed of two 51-ft spans supported by concrete abutments with a pier at the center. The bridge was slated for replacement by the Texas Department of Transportation, but funding was cancelled.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.5 kmTemplate:Sup), all land.

Largest topaz

The largest gem-quality topaz found in North America came from Mason County,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> weighing almost Template:Convert. It had been kept in the Smithsonian Institution, and was transferred to Mason's Museum on the Square.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Non-primary source needed

Climate

Mason experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and a generally mild winter.

Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

**Mason racial composition**<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)Template:Efn
Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	1,394	65.72%
Black or African American (NH)	3	0.14%
Some other race (NH)	9	0.42%
Mixed/multiracial (NH)	52	2.45%
Hispanic or Latino	663	31.26%
Total	2,121

As of the 2020 United States census, 2,121 people, 817 households, and 463 families resided in the city.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 2,134 people, 914 households, and 585 families resided in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. The 1,103 housing units averaged 299.6/sq mi (115.7/kmTemplate:Sup). The racial makeup of the city was 58.1% White, 0.19% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 8.25% from other races, and 2.76% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 30.04% of the population.

Of the 914 households, 28.0% had children under 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were not families. About 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30, and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was distributed as 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,344, and for a family was $39,310. Males had a median income of $26,736 versus $14,461 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,525. About 15.9% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city of Mason is served by the Mason Independent School District and home to the Mason High School Punchers and Cowgirls.

Infrastructure

Notable people

Jacob Bickler (1849–1902) German immigrant, founder of two Austin academies
Fred Gipson (1908–1973), author of Old Yeller
Herman Lehmann (1859–1932) German immigrant, captured as a child by Native Americans
Anna Mebus Martin (1820–1864) businesswoman and rancher
Rebecca Tobey (born 1948), American artist of animal sculptures
Hugh Wolfe (1912–2010), football player