Mason, Texas

Mason, Texas
City
Mason County Courthouse prior to 2021 fire
Nickname:  Gem of the Hill Country
Location of Mason, Texas
Location of the City of Mason
Coordinates: 30°45′05″N99°14′35″W / 30.75139°N 99.24306°W / 30.75139; -99.24306
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Mason
Government
• Type	Mayor/council
Area [1]
• Total	3.69 sq mi (9.55 km2)
• Land	3.65 sq mi (9.46 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,529 ft (466 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,121
• Density	570/sq mi (220/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	76856
Area code	325
FIPS code	48-46968 [3]
GNIS feature ID	2411048 [2]
Website	mason.tx.citygovt.org

Mason is a city in, and the county seat of, Mason County, Texas, United States. ^[4] 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. ^[5]

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. ^[6] 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 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land to cotton sharecroppers. Mason was voted the county seat in 1861. ^[7]

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 ^[8] was murdered by a dozen masked vigilantes, who accused him of cattle theft. Williamson's adopted son, Texas Ranger Scott Cooley, ^[8] sought revenge. Cooley and his desperadoes, which included Johnny Ringo, ^[9] created a reign of terror over the area. During this episode, Ringo committed his first murder, that of James Cheyney. ^{[10] [11]}

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. ^[12] 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. ^[13] It burned down in 2021, but courthouse records and most furniture had been removed prior to the fire to prepare for a renovation. ^{[14] [15]}

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. ^[16]

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. ^{[17] [18]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²), all land.

Largest topaz

The largest gem-quality topaz found in North America came from Mason County, ^[19] weighing almost 3 lb (1.4 kg). It had been kept in the Smithsonian Institution, and was transferred to Mason's Museum on the Square. ^[20]

Climate

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

Climate data for Mason, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32)	100 (38)	98 (37)	101 (38)	108 (42)	111 (44)	111 (44)	109 (43)	108 (42)	102 (39)	93 (34)	88 (31)	111 (44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	80.6 (27.0)	83.5 (28.6)	88.5 (31.4)	93.3 (34.1)	97.3 (36.3)	100.3 (37.9)	101.9 (38.8)	102.3 (39.1)	98.2 (36.8)	92.5 (33.6)	85.3 (29.6)	80.1 (26.7)	104.3 (40.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	61.1 (16.2)	65.3 (18.5)	71.5 (21.9)	79.5 (26.4)	85.5 (29.7)	92.5 (33.6)	95.5 (35.3)	95.8 (35.4)	89.7 (32.1)	80.6 (27.0)	69.9 (21.1)	63.0 (17.2)	79.2 (26.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	47.3 (8.5)	51.4 (10.8)	58.4 (14.7)	65.6 (18.7)	73.6 (23.1)	80.3 (26.8)	83.1 (28.4)	83.1 (28.4)	76.8 (24.9)	66.9 (19.4)	56.7 (13.7)	49.3 (9.6)	66.0 (18.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	33.6 (0.9)	37.5 (3.1)	44.8 (7.1)	51.7 (10.9)	61.7 (16.5)	68.0 (20.0)	70.8 (21.6)	70.4 (21.3)	63.8 (17.7)	53.2 (11.8)	43.5 (6.4)	35.6 (2.0)	52.9 (11.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	19.1 (−7.2)	22.8 (−5.1)	26.2 (−3.2)	35.1 (1.7)	46.0 (7.8)	58.7 (14.8)	64.3 (17.9)	63.0 (17.2)	50.1 (10.1)	36.4 (2.4)	26.3 (−3.2)	20.8 (−6.2)	16.4 (−8.7)
Record low °F (°C)	6 (−14)	3 (−16)	11 (−12)	25 (−4)	36 (2)	46 (8)	54 (12)	51 (11)	36 (2)	26 (−3)	14 (−10)	3 (−16)	3 (−16)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.32 (34)	1.88 (48)	2.15 (55)	2.30 (58)	4.21 (107)	3.80 (97)	2.30 (58)	2.01 (51)	3.03 (77)	2.58 (66)	1.94 (49)	1.38 (35)	28.90 (734)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.2 (0.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.2	5.5	6.2	5.3	7.7	6.1	4.9	4.4	6.1	5.3	4.8	5.3	66.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.1
Source 1: NOAA [21]
Source 2: National Weather Service [22]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	296		—
1880	575		94.3%
1950	2,456		—
1960	1,910		−22.2%
1970	1,806		−5.4%
1980	2,153		19.2%
1990	2,041		−5.2%
2000	2,134		4.6%
2010	2,114		−0.9%
2020	2,121		0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [23]

2020 census

Mason racial composition ^[5]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

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 ^[3] of 2000, 2,134 people, 914 households, and 585 families resided in the city. The population density was 579.7 inhabitants per square mile (223.8/km²). The 1,103 housing units averaged 299.6/sq mi (115.7/km²). 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

• U.S. Highway 87
• Texas State Highway 29
• Ranch to Market Road 1871
• Ranch to Market Road 386

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

See also

• Central Texas Electric Cooperative

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mason, Texas
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
6. "Loyal Valley Postmasters". Jim Wheat. Retrieved December 2, 2010.Jim Wheat
7. Rhoades, Alice J. "Mason, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
8. Johnson, David; Miller, Rick (2009). The Mason County ""Hoo Doo"" War, 1874–1902 (A.C. Greene Series). University of North Texas Press. ISBN   978-1-57441-262-8.
9. Johnson, David; Parsons, Chuck (2008). John Ringo, King of the Cowboys: His Life and Times from the Hoo Doo War to Tombstone, Second Edition (A. C. Greene). University of North Texas Press. ISBN   978-1-57441-243-7.
10. Hadeler, Glenn. "The Mason County Hoo Doo Wars". TexFiles. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010. TexFiles
11. "Johnny Ringo and the Hoo Doo War" . Retrieved April 30, 2010.
12. Blackburn, Edward A (2005). Wanted: Historic County Jails of Texas. TAMU Press. pp. 225–226. ISBN   978-1-58544-308-6.
13. "Mason County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
14. "Mason County Courthouse". February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
15. Hilley-Sierzchula, Emily (February 5, 2021). "State Fire Marshal's Office Investigating Mason County Courthouse Blaze". Mason County News. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
16. Rhoades, Alice J. "Mason County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
17. "2007 Texas' Most Endangered Places". Preservation Texas. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
18. "Broad Street Bridge". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
19. Swanson, Eric R (1995). Geo-Texas: A Guide to the Earth Sciences. TAMU Press. pp. 88–89. ISBN   978-0-89096-682-2.
20. http://www.masonsquaremuseum.org/ ^{[ bare URL ]}
21. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Mason, TX". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
22. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS San Angelo". National Weather Service. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
23. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
24. "Census.gov". Census.gov.
25. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.

1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. ^{[24] [25]}

External links

• Mason Chamber of Commerce