The Mason County Courthouse in Mason Texas is rebuilt and looking great! This is not the first Mason Courthouse to burn down, the first one burnt down January 21, 1877. There was an extended conflict, sometimes called the Mason County War, which was really a series of feuds and lynchings related to cattle rustling that sometimes pitted German Americans against Anglo Americans.
During this fire people rushed in to grab the land records, got most of them but brand records, marriage records and probate records were lost. Another temporary courthouse was built from 1879 to 1909, later torn down and then the "current" courthouse was build in 1910. What fabulous woodwork was done! The "current" courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
With the recent fire and rebuilding the craftsmanship is not as spectacular but it is very well done and the Mason Texas Square has it's courthouse open and working once again! The entire community including, Gene and Patsy Zesch, pulled together and raised a lot of the money. Along with outside funding from the Texas Legislature, and then another man donated $1 million, insurance from the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Historical Commission helped too. It took $20 million to rebuild and the original courthouse cost $39,000!
An auction was held that I attended and some of the artifacts from the courthouse were sold. There was some serious money flying around this auction and many of the items were donated back after winning the bid. I would say the community of Mason Texas and beyond really pulled together to get this job done. A group of citizens was organized to oversee the progress and raise funds, The Friends of the Courthouse.
My husband and I are new to Mason, here since 2016 and really love all this town has to offer! There is lot's to do and see from the Llano River to the Eckert Bat Cave, I will talk about that awesome place in a future blog! There are many quaint guesthouses in town and along the countryside. Lot's of pet friendly places too! Oh yes, and Horny Toads are being reintroduced in Mason!
Another future story!
For now I am so happy to have our courthouse back!
