Hartley Mason

Hartley Mason. . , Hartley W. Mason was born in Portland, New Hampshire in 1844. He had a vision for the land on which you stand. , In the words of Hartley Mason’s last Will and testament, the Martley Mason Reservation was to be a “pleasure ground forever.” The Will stated that of the death of his principal heir, the property was to be improved and beautified for public enjoyment. , Through his varied and busy career Hartley was a haberdasher, a salesman of woolen goods, a shopkeeper, an international traveler, a real estate developer, a husband and father – and a visionary. , In 1881 he purchased the first of the land, buildings and enterprises that comprised most of his local real estate holdings. Six summer houses were built where you are standing at the top of this knoll. A pavilion having 400 changing rooms existed near the beach where the public facility is located today. Across the street from the park stood four additional businesses – two homes and two retail businesses. , Although Hartley’s achievements were many and varied throughout his life, there is little biographical information available. Some municipal records, anecdotal information, his Will, and his real estate holdings are all that researchers have been able to find. , He lived for 82 years, and died in December of 1925. The Town of York will forever be grateful for Hartley Mason’s enterprise and vision.