Mason in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Rayner House
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 23, 2021
1. John Rayner House Marker
Inscription.
John Rayner House. . This handsome brick structure, said to be the oldest remaining house in Mason, is one of the most elaborate and best preserved Greek Revival houses in Ingham County. Pioneer John Rayner, a native of New York State, began construction of this farmhouse in 1840. The original Rayner farm totaled 320 acres. The ponds in the park opposite this site were dug to supply ice for early Mason. The remaining outbuilding contains a blacksmith shop and an icehouse. The twin sons of Chief Okemos played here with Rayner’s oldest son, William. The Rayner family had a major impact upon early Mason, owning the slaughterhouse, ice ponds and the Rayner Opera House. At the time of his death in 1879, John Rayner was called “one of the most opulent men of the county,” having acquired thousands of acres of land in Ingham and adjacent counties.
This handsome brick structure, said to be the oldest remaining house in Mason, is one of the most elaborate and best preserved Greek Revival houses in Ingham County. Pioneer John Rayner, a native of New York State, began construction of this farmhouse in 1840. The original Rayner farm totaled 320 acres. The ponds in the park opposite this site were dug to supply ice for early Mason. The remaining outbuilding contains a blacksmith shop and an icehouse. The twin sons of Chief Okemos played here with Rayner’s oldest son, William. The Rayner family had a major impact upon early Mason, owning the slaughterhouse, ice ponds and the Rayner Opera House. At the time of his death in 1879, John Rayner was called “one of the most opulent men of the county,” having acquired thousands of acres of land in Ingham and adjacent counties.
Erected 1980 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0668.)
is in Mason, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is at the intersection of East Ash Street and Country Park Road, on the right when traveling west on East Ash Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 E Ash St, Mason MI 48854, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
