Mason County, Texas
Mason is home to 25 official Texas Historical Commission markers — each one telling a piece of the city’s story. Browse the markers below, then find them on the map and discover more nearby with RoadHistorical.
Established July 6, 1851 by the U. S. Army as a protection to the frontier. Named in honor of Lieut. George T. Mason, killed in action near Brownsville, April 25, 1846. Albert Sidney Johnston, George H. Thomas, Earl Van…
View on map ↗Fort Mason, located 5 blocks south, was headquarters for the first regiment Texas Mounted Rifles 1861-62. These Confederate troops occupied the line of old U. S. forts to give protection against Indians. 215…
View on map ↗Near busy Ft. Mason crossing, Colorado River, home of Maurice Lappe, 1884 Swiss emigrant to Texas. Seat of local court. Was among first in Llano to have wire fence, orchards. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964
View on map ↗Built 1862. Second church of any faith in Mason County. Housed first school in the county. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
View on map ↗Located near Gamel Springs on grounds of Fort Mason (1851-61; 1866-69), the last Federal command of Robert E. Lee prior to Civil War. Constructed in 1887, by August Brockmann, of stone from post buildings, quarried on…
View on map ↗Named for a victim in famous "Hoodoo War", provoked by cattle rustling in Mason County. John Whorlie (or Worley), a deputy sheriff, on May 13, 1875, lost a prisoner to a lynch mob on Aug. 10, 1875, Whorlie was killed…
View on map ↗Descendants of German pioneers who settled this area in 1850s hold membership in this church. As early as 1853, missionaries such as pastor Philip Zizelmann who rode a donkey, held services in settlers' homes. Church…
View on map ↗Organized Feb. 14, 1875, with M. E. Gibson as first minister. Land for church was purchased from John and Louisa Schuessler on Oct. 16, 1876, by church elders John R. McGee, A. P. Boston, Whitmill Holland, and B. F.…
View on map ↗In 1887 work was begun on this structure by the Rev. Thomas Broad. Banker E. M. Reynolds acquired (1891) and enlarged the house. The architect, Richard E. Grosse, also did the ornate stonecutting and woodcarving.…
View on map ↗A native of Kentucky, Thomas S. Milligan (1810-1860) moved to this area in 1855 and operated a change station for the stage line. He was also a rancher and supplied beef to the soldiers at Fort Mason. Shortly after…
View on map ↗A good example of a small, nineteenth-century jail, this structure was built in 1894 from the brown sandstone available in the nearby hills. The ground floor of the county's third jail includes living quarters for the…
View on map ↗Tom Lindsay settled in Mason County during the 1860s and was a farmer and cattle raiser north of the town of Mason. About 1899 he and his wife, Fredericka (Durst), moved into town and built this house. It features fine…
View on map ↗This congregation was organized in February 1873, though Catholic worship services had been held in area homes by visiting clergy for several years. Primary members of the congregation were German and Irish immigrants.…
View on map ↗German immigrant Anna Mebus (1843-1925) came to Texas in 1858 and married her merchant cousin, Karl Martin (1828-1879). After his death she continued to operate their Mason store and post office, and by the 1880s was…
View on map ↗Constructed in 1909, this is the third courthouse to serve the people of Mason County. Commissioners Court probably met in other locations until the first courthouse was built in 1872. It burned in 1877 and was replaced…
View on map ↗Born and educated as an architect in Germany, Richard E. Grosse (1860-1944) came to Mason County in 1882. Settling first in Plehweville (Art), he worked as a stonemason and married Louisa Carolina Von Donop in 1886. He…
View on map ↗Constructed in 1892, this church structure originally served a German Methodist Episcopal congregation. Later home to the Church of the Nazarene and Spring Street Gospel Church, it has played an important role in…
View on map ↗Founded by brothers-in-law William Hofmann and Ernest H. Bogusch, Hofmann and Ernest H. Bogusch, Hofmann and Company opened for business in August 1890, providing the citizens of Mason and the surrounding communities…
View on map ↗In 1914, citizens of Mason petitioned the county commissioners court for a reliable means of crossing Comanche Creek, which separated north and south Mason. Initial construction bids were deemed too high and a second…
View on map ↗Built in 1869-70 by S. F. (Lace) Bridges, the Mason House was a hotel and stagecoach stop on the San Antonio to El Paso Road. It was a popular stopping place, providing respite for many weary travelers and hearty meals…
View on map ↗Attorney Henry Holmes (1836-1895) moved to Mason after serving in the U.S. Army and continued his public service as county attorney, justice of the peace and personal secretary to Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross. About 1883…
View on map ↗Throughout the 1890s, private banking institutions sporadically served Mason residents. In December 1903, several pioneer settlers met to form a new bank. It received its authorization in January 1904 as the German…
View on map ↗In the 1880s and 1890s, stonemason Thomas Broad built several homes in Mason similar to this one, owned by E.J. and Louise Broad from 1891 until they sold it in 1895 to Therese (Marschall) Runge (1855-1946). Her…
View on map ↗At this site on February 5, 1847, seven or eight Penateka Comanches headed by chief Ketumusua (also Ketumsee, Katemcy, Katemoczy) had their first encounter with an expedition of German immigrants led by John O.…
View on map ↗DURING THE 1850s AND 1860s, MASON COUNTY LANDOWNER, “MAJOR” JOSHUA PETERS, SUPPLIED CUT PRAIRIE GRASSES FROM HERE TO FORT MASON FOR THEIR HORSES. THE COMMUNITY WHICH DEVELOPED TOOK THE NAME PETER’S PRAIRIE. IN 1877,…
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