Near Otisville in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Laing-Mason House

Photographed by Joel S., July 16, 2010

1. Laing-Mason House Marker

Inscription. This house was built in stages between the 1860s and the 1930s. In 1889 Dr. John B. Laing and his wife, Harriet, purchased the house. Raised in Vermont, Laing (1846-1908) came to Otisville in 1871 as one of the village's earliest physicians, and became one of Otisville's most important citizens. At his death Laing owned 120 acres of land. The property changed hands six time before being purchased in 1935 by George W. and Frances Mason. George Mason (1887-1978) owned the Mason Tackle Company of Otisville, familiar to fishermen worldwide, and operated it out of this house until 1944. The Mason's renovated extensively, reportedly using materials-including the west porch columns-salvaged from a Detroit bank that failed during the Depression.

Erected 2007 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2191.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 43° 11.515′ N, 83° 31.2′ W. Marker is near Otisville, Michigan, in Genesee County. It is

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on North State Road (State Highway 15) 0.7 miles north of Vienna Road (State Highway 57), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12420 North State Road, Otisville MI 48463, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Country School (approx. 1.8 miles away); Otisville High School (approx. 1.8 miles away); E. S. Swayze Drugstore (approx. 1.8 miles away); West Forest United Methodist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Smith Hill Cemetery (approx. 2.6 miles away); The William Peter Mansion (approx. 6 miles away); United Methodist Church (approx. 6.1 miles away); Columbiaville Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Otisville.

Laing-Mason House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel S., July 16, 2010

2. Laing-Mason House and Marker

Laing-Mason House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel S., July 16, 2010

3. Laing-Mason House

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,536 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.