Mason County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Mason County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau
in the U.S. state
of Texas
. In 2010, its population was 4, 012. Its county seat
is Mason
. Mason County is named for Fort Mason, which was located in the county.
, the county has a total area of 932 square miles (2,413.9 km²), virtually all of which is land.
of 2000, there were 3,738 people, 1,607 households, and 1,110 families residing in the county. The population density
was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,372 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.60% White
, 0.13% Black
or African American
, 0.62% Native American
, 0.05% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 5.75% from other races
, and 1.82% from two or more races. 20.95% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,607 households out of which 25.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 20.70% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 23.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,921, and the median income for a family was $39,360. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $20,931. About 10.10% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.50% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.
Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a region of west-central Texas which is bounded by the Balcones Fault to the south and east, the Llano Uplift and the Llano Estacado to the north, and the Pecos River and Chihuahuan Desert to the west. San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio roughly outline the area...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 2010, its population was 4, 012. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Mason
Mason, Texas
Mason is the seat of Mason County, Texas, United States. The town is an agricultural community on Comanche Creek southwest of Mason Mountain, on the Edwards Plateau and part of the Llano Uplift. The population was 2,114 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. Mason County is named for Fort Mason, which was located in the county.
History Timeline
- Original inhabitants Lipan Apache, Comanches
- 1847 Meusebach–Comanche Treaty
- 1851, July 6 - Fort MasonFort Mason (Texas)Fort Mason was established July 6, 1851 in what later became Mason County. It was named in honor of Lieut. George Thomson Mason, United States Army Second Lieutenant killed in the Thornton Affair during the Mexican–American War near Brownsville, April 25, 1846. At various times from 1856 to 1861...
is established. - 1858, January 22 - Mason County, named for Fort Mason, is established by an act of Texas state legislature. First post offices are established.
- 1860 Population of 630 includes 18 slaves
- 1861
- February - County, spurred in part by anti-slavery sentiments of German residents, overwhelmingly votes against secession from the Union.
- March - Fort Mason surrendered to the Confederacy, who leave it mostly vacant and thereby cause an uptick in Indian attacks on the area.
- May 20 - Voters select town of Mason as County Seat.
- 1866-1868 Federal troops occupy Fort Mason, only to eventually abandon it.
- 1869 Courthouse and jail are erected.
- 1870 May 16 - Herman LehmannHerman LehmannHerman Lehmann was captured as a child by Native Americans. He lived first among the Apache and then the Comanche but eventually returned to his family later on in his life. The phenomenon of a "white boy" raised by "Indians" made him a notable figure in the United States...
and brother Willie are captured by Apaches, but Willie escapes within days. - 1870-1898 The county had four women homesteaders: Louisa J. Hendryx, Mahala Hunnicutt, Sarah E. Morris and Priscilla Sparks
- 1875-1877
- County’s first newspaper begins publication.
- Hoo Doo WarMason County WarThe Mason County War, also called the Hoodoo War was a cattle rustling dispute between German-American settlers and the non-German ranchers in Mason County, Texas.-Background:...
over cattle rustling. - Most famous participant in the war is Johnny RingoJohnny RingoJohn Peters "Johnny" Ringo was an outlaw Cowboy of the American Old West who was affiliated with Ike Clanton and Frank Stilwell in Cochise County, Arizona Territory during 1881-1882.-Early life:...
, who on September 25, 1875, kills James Cheyney. - Courthouse fire destroys all records.
- 1878, May 12 - Herman Lehmann, escorted by soldiers, finally returns to his family.
- 1880s Manganese is discovered. Wakefield Company opens Spiller mines. Iron ore is discovered. Prospecting begins for gold, silver and coal.
- 1882-83 HerefordHerefordHereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
cattle are introduced into the county. Provisions made for county wide road work. - 1887 The county petitions for state aid for needy residents.
- 1897, May 27 - John O. Meusebach dies at his farm at Loyal ValleyLoyal Valley, TexasLoyal Valley is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1858, and is north of Cherry Spring in the southeastern corner of Mason County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located near Cold Spring Creek, which runs east for to its mouth on Marschall Creek in...
, is buried in the Marschall Meusebach Cemetery at Cherry SpringCherry Spring, TexasCherry Spring is an unincorporated farming and ranching community established in 1852 in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located on Cherry Spring Creek, which runs from north of Fredericksburg to Llano. The creek was also sometimes known as Cherry Springs Creek by residents...
. - 1890s County places a bounty on wolves, wildcats and mountain lions.
- 1902 Mason installs its first telephone in the county judge's office.
- 1913 County hires an agricultural agent.
- 1918 October 3 - Eighteen months after United States CongressUnited States CongressThe United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
declares war on GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the Mason County Council of Defense draws up resolution to abandon the use of the German language in the county. The majority of County residents are of German heritage. - 1919 First oil and gas lease in the county. Construction begins on the Mason County section of the Puget Sound-to-the-Gulf Highway.
- 1920s Radios come to Mason County.
- 1938 Pedernales Electric CooperativePedernales Electric CooperativePedernales Electric Cooperative is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Johnson City, Texas. The cooperative was organized in 1938.The cooperative is owned by 200,000 members and serves an area of ....
is formed to provide rural electrification . Mason County joins in June. - 1946 Local soil-conservation board organized. County schools consolidated.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 932 square miles (2,413.9 km²), virtually all of which is land.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 87
U.S. Highway 377
State Highway 29State Highway 29 (Texas)State Highway 29, or SH 29, runs from south of Menard east to SH 95 in Circleville via Mason, Llano, Burnet, Liberty Hill, and Georgetown in central Texas....
State Highway 71State Highway 71 (Texas)State Highway 71 or SH 71 is a Texas state highway that runs . The northern terminus is at US 87 and US 377 south of Brady and its southern terminus is at SH 35 near Blessing. This highway is designated the "10th Mountain Division Highway" from SH 95 to Interstate 35.Through Austin, SH 71 is known...
Adjacent counties
- McCulloch CountyMcCulloch County, TexasMcCulloch County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The geographical center of Texas lies within the county. In 2000, its population was 8,205. Its county seat is Brady. McCulloch is named for Benjamin McCulloch, a famous Texas Ranger and Confederate...
(north) - San Saba CountySan Saba County, TexasSan Saba County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Western Central Texas. In 2010, its population was 6,131. Its county seat is San Saba. It is named for the San Saba River, which flows through the county.-History:...
(northeast) - Llano CountyLlano County, TexasLlano County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 19, 301. Its county seat is Llano, and the county is named for the Llano River....
(east) - Gillespie CountyGillespie County, TexasGillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
(south) - Kimble CountyKimble County, TexasKimble County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat is Junction. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.-Geography:...
(southwest) - Menard County (west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,738 people, 1,607 households, and 1,110 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,372 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.60% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.62% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.05% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.75% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.82% from two or more races. 20.95% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 1,607 households out of which 25.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 20.70% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 23.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,921, and the median income for a family was $39,360. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $20,931. About 10.10% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.50% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- J. Marvin HunterJ. Marvin HunterJohn Marvin Hunter was an author, historian, journalist, and printer who founded the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera, Texas...
(1880–1957) Born in Mason County. HistorianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, printerPrinter (publisher)In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. With the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450, printing—and printers—proliferated throughout Europe.Today, printers are found...
of the American West founder of Frontier Times magazineMagazineMagazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
and Frontier Times MuseumFrontier Times MuseumFrontier Times Museum is a museum of the American West located in Bandera in the Texas Hill Country. The facility was opened to the public in 1933 by the author, historian, and printer John Marvin Hunter .-Museum exhibits:...
in BanderaBandera, TexasBandera is the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, United States,in the Texas Hill Country, which is part of the Edwards Plateau. The population was 957 at the 2000 census, and according to a 2009 estimate, the population had jumped up to 1,216 people... - Anna Mebus MartinAnna Mebus MartinAnna Henriette Mebus Martin was a German-born Texas rancher and business woman. She rose from poverty to become one of the wealthiest Texans of German ancestry in her time. She chartered the Commercial Bank of Mason in 1901, and served as its president for twenty-four years...
(1820–1864) Chartered the Commercial Bank of Mason, wealthy business woman and rancher - Louis (Ludwig) MartinLouis (Ludwig) MartinLouis Martin was with the first settlers to Fredericksburg, Texas. He was the first sheriff of Gillespie County, and also served as District Clerk of the county...
(1820–1864) Co-founder of Hedwigs Hill, Mason County Justice of the Peace - GovernorGovernor of TexasThe governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Coke Stevenson (1888–1975) Born in Mason County
Unincorporated places
- ArtArt, TexasArt is an unincorporated community in Mason County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the highly-dispersed community had an estimated population of 18 in 2000.-Geography:...
- FredoniaFredonia, Mason County, TexasFredonia is an unincorporated community in Mason County, Texas, United States. The community is located near the county line of Mason and San Saba counties, where State Highway 71 intersects with Farm to Market Road 386...
- KatemcyKatemcy, TexasKatemcy is an unincorporated community on Katemcy Creek in Mason County, Texas, United States. The community is located on Farm to Market Road 1222, a mile east of Texas State Highway 87. The creek and the community were named after Penateka Comanche Chief Ketemoczy who gave John O. Meusebach the...
- Hedwigs HillHedwigs Hill, TexasHedwigs Hill, Texas is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1853 just off U.S. Highway 87, located south of Art in southern Mason County, Texas.-Establishment:...
- Loyal ValleyLoyal Valley, TexasLoyal Valley is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1858, and is north of Cherry Spring in the southeastern corner of Mason County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located near Cold Spring Creek, which runs east for to its mouth on Marschall Creek in...
- PontotocPontotoc, TexasPontotoc is an unincorporated community on Pontotoc Creek, in northeastern Mason County, Texas, United States. The community is located at the juncture of Texas State Highway 71 and Farm to Market Road 501.-Settlement:...
- Streeter
See also
- AdelsvereinAdelsvereinSociety for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, better known as Adelsverein , organized on April 20, 1842, was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas.-History:...
- German TexanGerman TexanGerman Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
- Louis (Ludwig) MartinLouis (Ludwig) MartinLouis Martin was with the first settlers to Fredericksburg, Texas. He was the first sheriff of Gillespie County, and also served as District Clerk of the county...
- Meusebach HomesiteHomesite of John O. MeusebachThe Homesite of John O. Meusebach is located at Loyal Valley in Mason County, Texas, north of Fredericksburg and southeast of the city of Mason, on U.S. Highway 87 to right-of-way at the intersection of US 87 and RM 2242. Meusebach moved to the property in 1869, after a tornado destroyed his...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Texas
- Spy RockSpy Rock (Mason County, Texas)Spy Rock is a pink granite dome located in the Llano Uplift in Mason County, Texas, rising feet above sea level. The peak is located south of Fredonia on Farm to Market Road 386, west on Spy Rock Road....