Mason County is a rural county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. At the 2020 census, its population was 3,953. Its county seat is Mason. The county is named for Fort Mason, which was located in the county.

History

  • Original inhabitants Lipan Apache, Comanches
  • 1847 Meusebach–Comanche Treaty
  • 1851, July 6 – Fort Mason is established.
  • 1858, January 22 – Mason County, named for Fort Mason, is established by an act of Texas state legislature. First post offices are established.
  • 1860 Population of 630 includes 18 slaves.
  • 1861,

: February – County, spurred in part by anti-slavery sentiments of German residents, overwhelmingly votes against secession from the Union.

: March – Fort Mason surrendered to the Confederacy, who leave it mostly vacant and thereby cause an uptick in Indian attacks on the area.

: May 20 – Voters select town of Mason as County Seat.

  • 1866–1868 Federal troops occupy Fort Mason, only to eventually abandon it.
  • 1869 Courthouse and jail are erected.
  • 1870 May 16 – Herman Lehmann and brother Willie are captured by Apaches, but Willie escapes within days.
  • 1870–1898 The county had four women homesteaders: Louisa J. Hendryx, Mahala Hunnicutt, Sarah E. Morris and Priscilla Sparks
  • 1872 The last Indian raid in the county happens.
  • 1875–1877

: County’s first newspaper begins publication.

: Hoo Doo War over cattle rustling.

: Most famous participant in the war is Johnny Ringo, who on September 25, 1875, kills James Cheyney.

: Courthouse fire destroys all records.

  • 1882–83 Hereford cattle are introduced into the county. Provisions made for county wide road work.
  • 1887 The county petitions for state aid for needy residents.
  • 1890s County places a bounty on wolves, wildcats and mountain lions.
  • 1902 Mason installs its first telephone in the county judge's office.
  • 1918 October 3 – Eighteen months after United States Congress declares war on Germany, the Mason County Council of Defense draws up resolution to abandon the use of the German language in the county. The majority of County residents are of German heritage.
  • 1946 Local soil-conservation board organized. County schools consolidated.
  • 2021 Mason County Courthouse (Texas), constructed in 1909, burns down as a result of arson.

Geography

thumb|Ranchland in the Edwards Plateau, Mason County, Texas, USA (April 17, 2015).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (0.4%) are covered by water.

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 87
  • 25px U.S. Highway 377
  • 20px State Highway 29
  • 20px State Highway 71

Adjacent counties

  • McCulloch County (north)
  • San Saba County (northeast)
  • Llano County (east)
  • Gillespie County (south)
  • Kimble County (southwest)
  • Menard County (west)

Demographics