Mason Historic District (initial application)

7. Description

The city of Mason is located in Mason County in the southwest central part of Texas, between the Llano and San Saba rivers at the edge of what is known as the Blue Mountain Range.

The town was settled largely after the establishment of Fort Mason just south of the town site. The majority of the early settlers drifted into Mason from the German communities of Fredericksburg. Thus, the town still maintains a German Flavor in its architecture. One German, Richard Grosse, was particularly influential, for he became the town builder. Grosse had been trained in architecture in Germany and was responsible for designing and building many of Mason's late nineteenth century masonry homes. His most notable achievement was the Reynolds/ Seaquist home. Grosse also founded Grosse Lumber Company, which is still a family operated business today.

Due to the abundance of stone, the majority of the homes in Mason were of masonry construction. In contrast with the light. colored limestone used in the houses of nearby Fredericksburg (see National Register Property, Fredericksburg Historic District, March 11, 1971), a darker, reddish sandstone was the predominant material locally available. The fort buildings were the first structures to use the stone. With the fort's abandonment during the Civil War and finally in 1869, Mason citizens dismantled and confiscated the stone to use in many of their buildings.

The stone was laid in either a rough ashlar technique or rubble technique. Often the coursing was painted white to provide an attractive contrast with the dark stone. Excellent examples of this technique are the county jail on the south side of the courthouse square and the "C & G Saddle Shop" on the east side of the square. Often limestone was used to embellish the finer houses as in the Moran House and the Reynolds/Seaquist House. The majority of the masonry residences are of a T or L-shape plan with Victorian detail. Many houses have sandstone barns, tankhouses, or similar outbuildings which add a sense of continuity to a complex. Almost all of the extant structure were built in the period between the late 1870's and the end of the nineteenth century.

The Mason Historic District chiefly consists of the cluster of early stone structures immediately to the North, East and South of the courthouse square. The District is bounded by the Commanche Creek on the North and follows a line along Smith street to the east extending to include the property line of the Moran House and barn on Highway 29 and the Smith Home at 323 San Antonio Highway. The Southern boundary extends from San Antonio Highway along College Avenue to Moody Street, including: Post Hill Street south to include the site of Fort Mason. The west boundary goes north on Moody Street, west one block at Short Street and then runs north on Robin Avenue to Commanche Creek.

Structures included within the report which give a representative example of the district include:

Mason County Courthouse

1909. A raised 2 1/2-story, square, sandstone structure in a Classical Revival style. All four facades have a four columned pedimented portico across the central section with a fanlight in the pediment. The hipped roof is crowned by a domed clock tower on an octagonal drum. This is Mason's third courthouse.

Building at 208 Austin Highway (North side of square)

1891. A 2-story Victorian commercial structure with pressed tin facade over the sandstone. The original structure had window5 between the coupled columns and a 2-story gallery across the front.

F. Hoerster Building (West side of square)

1906. A 2-story Victorian commercial structure with pressed tin facade over the sandstone. Windows have been rep1acd on the second floor.

S & H Building (Northeast corner of square)

1884. A 2-story sandstone commercial structure with segment 1 arched apertures. The facade has been painted white.

Old James E. Rarick Building, 224 Austin Highway (Northeast corner of square)

1874. A narrow, 2-story sandstone structure with pitched roof. This is the original stone structure built by James E. Ranck and the earliest remaining structure on the square. The front facade was altered ca. 1920's.

Mason County Jail (South side of square)

1894. A 2-story sandstone structure in the Second Empire style laid in ashlar blocks with painted white coursing. This structure has a bevelled stone cornice and a cupola crowns the central part of the front facade. This is Mason's third jail.

C & G Building (East side of square)

1879. A single, one-story sandstone structure laid in ashlar blocks. The coursing is painted white to provide an attractive contrast with the dark stone. This is one of the earliest commercial structures on the square.

Holmes & Bierschwale Land Office

A small one-story, one-room, cut sandstone structure with low pitched roof. There is a central door flanked by two windows on the main facade. The inscription painted over the door reads "Law d Land Office."

Hamilton House

1890. One-story T-shaped, Victorian, sandstone structure with elaborate limestone trim. There is a noteworthy stone barn and round tank house in the rear.

Reynolds/Seaquist House

1887 & 1891. Thomas Broad first built a 2-story stone structure in 1887. In 1891 E.M. Reynolds enlarged the house to its present size with Richard Grosse as the architect/builder. The Seaquist family has owned the house since 1919. The raised 3-story sandstone house has elaborately carved limestone detail and a picturesque roofline formed by a profusion of gables, turrets and chimneys. Galleries surround both the first and second floors. The first-floor posts were replaced by concrete columns in 1919 to support the tremendous weight of the second level. The handsome wood worn interiors were carved by Grosse. A 3-story, crenellated, sandstone tankhouse stands at the rear of the house.

Mason House

ca. 1876. This 2-story, vernacular sandstone structure, now painted white was one of the earliest hotels in Mason, It also served as a stage on the San Antonio to El Paso mail route. The building is now used as an apartment house.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

1904. A cruciform Gothic Revival Church using native sandstone. The original Lutheran Church was a one-story vernacular stone structure built as Mason's first church in 1823. The present structure is built on the original church site.

Grant/White House

A one-story, Victorian sandstone structure with delicately carved bargeboard on the central projecting gable and slender, turned posts and balustrades on the flanking galleries. There is a sandstone barn and water tower in the rear. The tower is listed as being built in 1870.

Moran House

A 2-story stone structure with a bold ashlar pattern on the main facade, using sandstone for its walls and limestone quoins and lintels for accent. There is a one-story, wooden porch with Victorian trim across the central part of the front and rear facades and bracketed eaves. To the east of the house is a stone cistern.

Moran House Barn

A 2-story sandstone barn with a large stone arch on both the west and east facades. It is located at the rear of the Moran House.

Major Henry Marcus Jones House

Possibly ca. 1850's. Reported to be the first permanent house in Mason. A small, half-timbered, saltbox structure built of hand-hewn logs with sandstone infill. Typical of the early German fachwerk homes commonly seen in the 1850's in Fredericksburg, but rare in Mason.

Mason Grade School

1887. The original portion of the school is a T-shaped sandstone structure with pitched roof to which comparably flat roof sandstone additions were later made at the rear. The building is presently used as a combination library, museum and meeting area.

8. Significance

Mason, a town located in the central Texas hill country, maintains a unique local history in the many extant sandstone buildings and residences that dot the small courthouse town.

The first settlers may have entered the territory which Was to become Mason County as early as 1845. Shortly thereafter, the drift of German immigrants brought additional people to the area. The German Immigration Company had been formed by several German nobleman near Mainz, Germany, in 1842 and in 1844 they bought tracts of unsettled land in Texas. The first settlement was founded in New Braunfels and in 1845 Baron J. 0. von Meusenbach migrated further north to establish settlements in the area between the Llano and San Saba Rivers. He founded Fredericksburg in May, 1846. Farther north of Fredericksburg at the main Commanche village on the San Saba River, Meusenbach signed a treaty with the Indians which allowed further settlement and surveying, assured a degree of safety to the pioneers and opened trade with the Indians. As the settlement expanded, grants were soon extended as far as present day Mason County.

Settlement in Mason was further encouraged after the founding of Fort Mason in 1851. Located on a hill overlooking the present city, Fort Mason commanded a view of the surrounding lands. The fort was founded as part of the second cordon of forts established by the Federal Government following the War with Mexico in an attempt to provide protection for the expanding frontier. Fort Mason had four periods of occupation July 1851 to January 1854, March 1855 to February 1859, September 1859 to March 1861, and finally from December 1866 to March 1869. Two of its most famous commanders were Albert Sydney Johnson, commander of the Southern Army of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and Robert E. Lee. The background of the fort's name remains in question. It may have been named for Lieutenant George T Mason, killed during the Mexican War, or for Brigadier General Richard Barnes Mason, one-time colonl

The fort was a significant force in the establishment of the city of Mason. In addition to providing a semblance of protection which encouraged settlement, the fort provided employment opportunities for the new town. The Fort's abandonment in 1869 was also significant, for the sandstone structures, which had once provided a refuge for Mason citizens, were dismantled by the townspeople and used to construct their town. As Fort Mason disappeared, the city of Mason began to take shape. Today only the foundations of the fort are visible.

Mason County was created out of Gillespie County in 1858 and in 1861 Mason was chosen as the county seat. The first homestand stores were of picket or frame construction. The fort buildings were the first stone structures, using the native sandstone from the surrounding hillsides. Following the fort's abandonment during the Civil War and finally in 1869, stone became a common building material in the city. The earliest stone commercial structure, which stands today at the northwest corner of the square, is a long, two-story sandstone building with pitched roof. James E. Ranck, known as the "Father of Mason" for his role in trying to develop the frontier town, built this structure in 1874 to house his business and it became the center of the hide trade in the area. During the late nineteenth century the cattle business was Mason's most profitable enterprise.

Mason had no courthouse or jail for several years. Court was held under a huge live oak tree in the town square and prisoners were kept in the Fort Mason guard house. In 1869, the first jail was built and in 1877 a two-story stone courthouse was erected in the center of the square. This first courthouse burned within two years and a two-story sandstone structure was rebuilt in 1879. In 1882 a second jail was built and when it proved inadequate the third and present jail building, designed by L. T. Noyes, was erected on the square in 1894. The needs eventually outgrew the second courthouse and the old building was torn down. The present sandstone, Classical Revival courthouse, designed by E C. Hasford of Dallas, was built in 1909.

The earliest hotel was a picket building near the Ranck store built by Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Bridges, a couple who had had experience in the hotel business in Ohio. A few years later ca. 1876, they built the Mason House on the northeast corner of the square. This sandstone hotel also served as a stage stand for the first mail route between San Antonio and El Paso. In recent years the structure has been converted into an apartment building.

Mason Grade School was the first incorporated school, the built in 1887. It was originally a two-story, T-shaped building. The school has been preserved and now houses a library and museum. The first church in Mason was the Lutheran Church established in 1872. In 1904 the original building was razed and the present church erected on the same location.

With the possible exception of the Major Henry Marcus Jones House, a fachwerk construction displaying the early building technique used in Fredericksburg in the 1850's, most of the sandstone homes of Mason were built in the late 1870's, 1880's and 1890's. The greatest concentration of these extant stone houses exist immediately to the east, north and a few to the south of the courthouse square. These homes are noteworthy examples of Victorian masonry construction. Together with the sandstone public buildings, these structures display a unique masonry tradition. Conscious of their local history, Mason citizens have preserved and maintained the integrity of this architectural heritage.

9. Bibliographical References

• Bierschwale. Margaret. "Mason County, Texas, 1845-1870", Southwestern Historical Quarterly, LII, No 4, (Austin: Texas State Historical Association, April 1949), pp.379-397.
• Eilers, Katherine Bortord, A History of Mason County, Texas. (MA Thesis. University of Texas, 1939).
• Polk, Stella Gibson. Mason and Mason County: A History, (Austin: The Pemberton Press, 1966).
• Webb, Walter Prescott, ed., Handbook of Texas, (Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1952.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Mason, a town located in the central Texas hill country, maintains a unique local history in the many extant sandstone buildings and residences that dot the small courthouse town.

The first settlers may have entered the territory which was to become Mason County as early as 1845. Shortly thereafter, the drift of German immigrants brought additional people to the area. The German Immigration Company had been formed by several German nobleman near Mainz, Germany, in 1842 and in 1844 they bought tracts of unsettled land in Texas. The first settlement was founded in New Braunfels and in 1845 Baron J. 0. von Meusenbach migrated further north to establish settlements in the area between the Llano and San Saba Rivers. He founded Fredericksburg in May, 1846. Farther north of Fredericksburg at the main Commanche village on the San Saba River, Meusenbach signed a treaty with the Indians which allowed further settlement and surveying, assured a degree of safety to the pioneers and opened trade with the Indians. As the settlement expanded, grants were soon extended as far as present day Mason County.

Settlement in Mason was further encouraged after the founding of Fort Mason in 1851. Located on a bill overlookin the present city, Fort Mason commanded a view of the surrounding lands. The fort was founded as part of the second cordon of forts established by the Federal Government following the War with Mexico in an attempt to provide protection for the expanding frontier. Fort Mason had four periods of occupatior---July 1851 to January 1854, March 1855 to February 1859, September 1859 to March 1861, and finally from December 1866 to March 1869. Two of its most famous commanders were Albert Sydney Johnson, commander of the Southern Army of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and Robert E. Lee. The background of the fort's name remains in question. It may have been named for Lieutenant George T. Mason, killed during the Mexican War or for Brigadier General Richard Barnes Mason, one-time colon,11 of the division later stationed at Fort Mason.

The fort was a significant force in the establishment of the city of Mason. In addition to providing a semblance of protection which encouraged settlement, the forth provided employment opportunities for the new town. The Fort's abandonment in 1869 was also significant, for the sandstone structures, which had once provided a refuge for Mason citizens, were dismantled by the townspeople and used to construct their town. As Fort Mason disappeared, the city of Mason began to take shape. Toda only the foundations of the fort are visible.

Mason County was created out of Gillespie County in 1858 and in 1861 Mason was chosen as the county set. The first homes and stores were of picket or frame construction. The fort buildings were the first stone structures, using the native sandstone from the surrounding hillsides. Following the fort's abandonment during the Civil War and finally in 1869, stone became a common building material in the city. The earliest stone commercial structure, which stands today at the northwest corner of the square, is a long, two-story sandstone building with pitched roof. James E. Ranck, known as the "Father of Mason" for his role in trying to develop the frontier town, built this structure in 1874 to house his business and it became the center of the hide trade in the area. During the late nineteenth century the cattle business was Mason's most profitable enterprise.

Mason had no courthouse or jail for several years. Court was held under a huge live oak tree in the town square and prisoners were kept in the Fort Mason guard house. In 1869, the first jail was built and in 1877 a two-story stone courthoue was erected in the center of the square. This first courthouse burned within two years and a two-story sandstone structure was rebuilt in 1879. In 1882 a second jail was built and when it proved inadequate the third and present jail building, designed by L. T. Noyes, was erected on the square in 1894. The needs eventually outgrew the second courthouse and the old building was torn down. The present sandstone, Classical Revival courthouse, designed by E C. Hasford of Dallas, was built in 1909.

The earliest hotel was a picket building near the Ranck store built by Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Bridges, a couple who had had experience in the hotel business in Ohio. A few years laterf, ca. 1876, they built the Mason House on the northeast corner of the square. This sandstone hotel also served as a stage stand for the first mail route between San Antonio and El Paso. In recent years the structure has been converted into an apartment building.

The first incorporated school, the Mason Grade School, was built in 1887. It was originally a two-story, T-shaped buildin. The school has been preserved and now houses a library and musetJm. The first church in Mason was the Lutheran Church established in 1872. In 1904 the original building was razed and the present church erected on the same location. With the possible exception of the Major Henry Marcus Jone House, a fachwerk construction displaying the early building technique used in Fredericksburg in the 1850's, most of the sandstone homes of Mason were built in the late 1870's, 1880's and 1890's. The greatest concentration of these extant stone houses exist immediately to the east, north and a few to the south of the courthouse square. These homes are noteworthy examples of Victorian masonry construction. Together with the sandstone public buildings, these structures display a unique masonry tradition. Conscious of their local history, Mason citizens have preserved and maintained the integrity of this architectural heritage.

9. Bibliographical References

• Bierschwale, Margaret, "Mason County, Texas, 1845-187011, Southwestern Historical Quarterly, LII, No. 4, (Austin: Texas State Historical Association, April 1949), pp.379-397.
• Eilers, Katherine Borford, A History of Mason County, Texa, (MA Thesis, University of Texas, 1939).
• Polk, Stella Gibson, Mason and Mason County: A History, (Austin: The Pemberton Press 1966).
• Webb, Walter Prescott, ed., Handbook of Texas, (Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1952).

11 FORM PREPARED BY

	
Gary L. Hume, Project Director Marie D. Landon, Historian			
Texas Historical Commission	3-25-74
P.O. Box 12276, Capitol Station
Austin	Texas
				

Entered
	Texas State Historical Survey Committee
	Box 12276, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711
	Truett Latimer Executive Director
August 21, 1974
Mr. Charles Herrington
National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 18th and c Streets, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20240
Dear Mr. Herrington:

As a result of your comments, I wish to resubmit the Mason Historic District, excluding the site of Old Fort Mason. Although Fort Mason is important to mention in the historical background of the city, it does not have enough significance to merit inclusion as a separate nomination.

The residential area outside the Courthouse Square contains many extant examples of late nineteenth century, Victorian stone houses. These stone houses are intermingled with small twentieth century houses, but due to the small population of Mason, the scattered modern structures do not intrude upon the integrity of the historic district.

The district boundaries were chosen to include as many of the historic houses as possible, including a buffer area. The exact shape of the district was determined by the specific natural borders, i.e., the creek and the street locations. The random location of the sites prevented a more concise definition of the area. Regarding the southeast and northwest corners, these areas were included as buffers to more accurately define the district boundaries by streets. I hope this explanation will give you a better overview of the district.

Sincerely,
762/
Marie D. Landon Historian
MDL/dra