Mason, Texas History

Mason's first settlers arrived in the middle of the 1840s. William S. Gamel arrived around 1846. Peter Birk and Henry Hick were German settlers who moved west from Fredericksburg. Fort Mason, Robert E. Lee's last command in the United States Army, was established in 1851, and under its protection, the county and town of Mason was established, named after the fort.

Like other predominantly German areas, Mason County voted against secession before the Civil War. During the war, times were tough. Without troops in the Fort to protect them, Indian raids increased. After war, the raids continued until about 1872. The most famous raid occured in 1870 when Herman Lehmann was captured and spent nine years among the Indians of the southwest.

In the late 1870s, tensions between the German speakers and the English speakers broke out in what is called the Mason County or "HooDoo" War. One of the men involved was Johnny Ringo, who later moved to Tombstone and found himself dealing with Wyatt Earp.

Mason County became part of the pop culture of the United States after Fred Gipson published his book Old Yeller. After Walt Disney released the popular movie, Gipson published a sequel, Savage Sam, inspired by the story of Hermann Lehmann.

For all of its existence, Mason County has been a farming community. It is a hunting destination, and home to the world famous Cooper's Barbecue. So whatever your reason for visiting Mason, Texas, welcome!