Tullahassee in Wagoner County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

A.J. Mason & Bro

Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2025

1. A.J. Mason & Bro Marker

Inscription.

A.J. Mason and Bro. . A.J. Mason and Bro Building , The A.J. Mason and Bro Building, a single brick structure, stands as the only remaining original structure in Tullahassee, Oklahoma. Erected in 1912, it has served various roles, including the first post office, mercantile and even a night club. This building has been the soul and economic engine of the community. This building is the heartbeat of Tullahassee reflecting our rich history., The Mason's. Fair Shannon Mason (1876-1925) , Fair was born in 1876 in Plantersville, Texas, to Jack and Della Shannon. She married Austin J. Mason on April 18, 1894, in Grimes, Texas, Fair supported her husband, helped found the Tullahassee Realty Company, worked in the post office and mercantile. She was also in the church women's mission auxiliary and cared for their nieces and nephews. One of the Mason brothers even named his daughter after her. She passed away in January 1925 in Tullahassee, Ok at the age of 49. She is buried at the Mt. Bethel Cemetery., John Wesley "J.W.” Mason Jr. 1873-1975 , John Wesley "J.W." Mason Jr. was born on May 13, 1873 in Grimes, Texas. He married Sarah Ann Shawnie on January 12, 1913, in Gatesville, Oklahoma. J.W. Mason lived for over 100 years passing away on January 1, 1973 at the age of 101. He was a businessman and preacher, furthering the Mason family legacy of community involvement and leadership, he is buried in Muskogee, Ok at Booker T. Cemetery., Austin "AJ" Mason , A.J. Mason was a prominent businessman and community leader in Tullahassee. Mr. Mason was also on the Tullahassee Improvement committee which brought hundreds of African American families to Tullahassee. He also started the Tullahassee Realty Company which played a crucial role in the town's development. A.J. Mason passed away in 1920 in Tullahassee, Oklahoma at the age of 36 and was buried in Grimes, Texas., Legacy and Donation , Although A.J. and Fair Mason did not have children, they cared for several nieces and nephews. One of their nephews generously donated the A.J. Mason Building to the Town of Tullahassee, allowing it to be registered on the National Register of Historic Places. This marker commemorates the enduring legacy of A.J. Mason and the historical significance of the building that bears his name. He stands as a testament to the rich history and contributions of the Mason family to Tullahassee and the broader African American Community.

A.J. Mason & Bro Building
The A.J. Mason & Bro Building, a single brick structure, stands as the only remaining original structure in Tullahassee, Oklahoma. Erected in 1912, it has served various roles, including the first post office, mercantile and even a night club. This building has been the soul and economic engine of the community. This building is the heartbeat of Tullahassee reflecting our rich history.

The Mason's Fair Shannon Mason (1876-1925)
Fair was born in 1876 in Plantersville, Texas, to Jack and Della Shannon. She married Austin J. Mason on April 18, 1894, in Grimes, Texas, Fair supported her husband, helped found the Tullahassee Realty Company, worked in the post office and mercantile. She was also in the church women's mission auxiliary and cared for their nieces and nephews. One of the Mason brothers even named his daughter after her. She passed away in January 1925 in Tullahassee, Ok at the age of 49. She is buried at the Mt. Bethel Cemetery.

John Wesley "J.W.” Mason Jr. 1873-1975
John Wesley "J.W." Mason Jr. was born on May 13, 1873 in Grimes, Texas. He married Sarah Ann Shawnie on January 12, 1913, in Gatesville, Oklahoma. J.W. Mason lived for over 100 years passing away on January 1, 1973 at the age of 101. He was a businessman and

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preacher, furthering the Mason family legacy of community involvement and leadership, he is buried in Muskogee, Ok at Booker T. Cemetery.

Austin "AJ" Mason
A.J. Mason was a prominent businessman and community leader in Tullahassee. Mr. Mason was also on the Tullahassee Improvement committee which brought hundreds of African American families to Tullahassee. He also started the Tullahassee Realty Company which played a crucial role in the town's development. A.J. Mason passed away in 1920 in Tullahassee, Oklahoma at the age of 36 and was buried in Grimes, Texas.

Legacy & Donation
Although A.J. and Fair Mason did not have children, they cared for several nieces and nephews. One of their nephews generously donated the A.J. Mason Building to the Town of Tullahassee, allowing it to be registered on the National Register of Historic Places. This marker commemorates the enduring legacy of A.J. Mason and the historical significance of the building that bears his name. He stands as a testament to the rich history and contributions of the Mason family to Tullahassee and the broader African American Community.

Erected by Kirschner Trusts - OCCF.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1925.

Location.

A.J. Mason & Bro building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2025

2. A.J. Mason & Bro building and Marker

35° 50.354′ N, 95° 26.312′ W. Marker is in Tullahassee, Oklahoma, in Wagoner County. It is at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Kinney Street, on the right when traveling south on Lincoln Street. The marker is located at the front of the building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Porter OK 74454, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation,

specifically in the Cherokee Nation,

in Northeast Oklahoma — Green Country,

and in Greater Tulsa.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Ozarks,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tullahassee (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carter G. Woodson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tullahassee Mission (approx. 2.1 miles away); Chief Pushmataha (approx. 2.1 miles away); Wigwam Neosho (approx. 2.1 miles away); Oklahoma's First Baptist Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); "The Sentry" (approx. 5 miles away); 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division National Memorial (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tullahassee.

The view of the A.J. Mason & Bro building along the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2025

3. The view of the A.J. Mason & Bro building along the road

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.