Mason in Mason County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mason County
Garrisoned intermittently from July 6, 1851, to March 23, 1869, Fort Mason was named for Lt. G.T. Mason of the United States 2nd Dragoons, killed in Mexican War action on April 25, 1846, near Brownsville. Fort Mason was one of a chain of posts situated a day’s horseback ride apart, from Red River to the Rio Grande, for protecting frontier against Apaches, Comanches, other Indians.
Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 11285.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 22, 1858.
Location. 30° 44.216′ N, 99° 13.058′ W. Marker is in Mason, Texas, in Mason County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 87 and Ranch to Market Road 1723, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in a small roadside park at the south corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mason TX 76856, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rudolph and Therese Runge House (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Fort Mason (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lutheran Sunday School Building (approx. one mile away); St. Paul Lutheran Church (approx. one mile away); Old Mason Grammar School (approx. 1.1 miles away); R. Grosse and Sons (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mason National Bank (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mason.
Also see . . . Mason County. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on December 20, 2015.)
Additional commentary.
1. History of Marker
The marker is one of 264 historical markers erected by the State of Texas near state highways in 1936 in commemoration of the centennial of the independence of Texas. The inscription of the original bronze tablet installed on the marker in 1936 read:
Organized August 2, 1858
Fort Mason
Established July 6, 1851 and
abandoned March 23, 1869. The
county and the county seat were
Named in honor of
Lieutenant G.T. Mason
United States 2nd Dragoons
Killed in action near Brownsville
April 25, 1846
The marker was restored in 1971, and a new bronze tablet with revised language was placed on the marker.
— Submitted December 20, 2015.
2. Parkland Donation
At the east end of the roadside park is a metal tablet affixed to a boulder that reads, “This site was donated for park purposes to the State Highway Department of Texas by Mr. and Mrs. J.W. White, 1936".
— Submitted December 20, 2015.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,044 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.