Mason in Mason County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Koocksville
Pioneers began to settle this locality in the 1850s. The oldest marked grave in Crosby Cemetery is dated 1856. The community became known as Koocksville after William Koock (1838-1890), a native of Germany, built a one-room log store here in 1867. Koock and his wife Minna (Jordan) (1843-1912) lived in the store before Koock moved his business to a picket structure and then to a two-story rock building erected in the early 1870s.
Koock's store was the headquarters for cattle and sheep ranchers in this area. Here they could purchase supplies, obtain credit, and deposit their gold for safekeeping. The store also became the center of community life. Dances were frequently held on the second floor. Near the store, Koock provided a public well and a playground for children.
Koocksville had one of Mason County's earliest schools. Although the town was platted in 1883, it never had a post office. Koock built a grist mill and cotton gin, but neither proved profitable.
Koock had just begun a rock house for his family when he was killed in a riding accident. The closing of the store caused Koocksville to decline. In the 1970s, the rock store and several homes remain to mark the settlement.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11281.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 30° 45.436′ N, 99° 15.031′ W. Marker is in Mason, Texas, in Mason County. Marker is at the intersection of Koocksville Road and Koocksville Lane, on the left when traveling west on Koocksville Road. 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. Old Fort Mason (approx. 0.6 miles away); Two Sheriffs of Mason County (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Comanche-German Meeting (approx. one mile away); Broad Street Bridge (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Commercial Bank (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hofmann Dry Goods Company (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mason County Courthouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); Mason County Jail (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mason.
Also see . . . Koocksville History. (Submitted on September 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.