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Mason County, Illinois

61 topographic sheets cover 34 settlements here, and 2 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

2 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service

Illinois within the United States
Mason County within Illinois

What the record shows

  • 507 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 2 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 1 building and 1 structure.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 34 populated places in this county; 34 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.
  • 1 public-domain county history, 1876, supplies 18,033 words of narrative reproduced here.

Places on the National Register

2

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Havana Public Librarybuilding199494000014
Havana Water Towerstructure199393000325

Wildfire, 2004 to 2019

27 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 27 of them, burning about 427 acres. 1 started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined12
Debris and open burning10
Equipment and vehicle use3
Other causes1
Natural1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
22 March 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined375 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesSAND RIDGE
23 March 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined10 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources1900002335
2 January 2009Debris and open burning7.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesBENDER
13 March 2004Missing data/not specified/undetermined6.0 acresIllinois River National Wildlife RefugeSPOON RIVER 1
15 April 2009Debris and open burning5.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesCADDY
14 March 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined4.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesREVIS
20 September 2018Equipment and vehicle use4.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources092-18
11 September 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined3.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesSAND RIDGE

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1951 to 2026

60 of 268 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 268 reports for this county, causing 1 death, 35 injuries and about $13,126,300 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind148
Hail55
Tornado42
Flash Flood18
Flood3
Lightning2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
January 1967Tornado (F3)not stated1 killed, 3 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 1968Tornado (F3)not stated25 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
December 1973Tornado (F0)not stated2 hurtno account filed
April 2011Tornado (EF1)Poplar City1 hurt, $300,000A tornado touched down in a field about 6.5 miles west-southwest of Easton at 530 PM CDT. It knocked over an irrigation unit and damaged an outbuilding before traveling north and damaging several sheds, breaking windows, tearing roofing and siding off a house, and pushing a house a few inches off its foundation. One person was injured by flying glass. The tornado then damaged another outbuilding and several trees before dissipating 7 miles west-northwest of Easton at 538 PM CDT.
December 1957Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 2003Tornado (F2)Manito1 hurtA tornado touched down just southwest of Manito. As it traveled to the northeast it destroyed 4 homes, as well as power lines and trees. Twenty-four homes sustained minor to major damage. One elderly woman sustained minor injuries, a cut on her arm and bruises, while taking shelter in her walk-in pantry. No other injuries were reported.
April 1996Tornado (F2)Bath1 hurtno account filed
January 1967Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurtno account filed
April 2013FloodHavana$5,000,000Hundreds of cabins and sheds in wildlife areas along the Illinois River were severely damaged. In addition, 25 homes and several other structures were damaged near Bath, Snicarte, Havana and Goofy Ridge. Nearly 15 miles of roads will need to be rebuilt due to the flooding. The river stage at Havana climbed to a record level of 27.78 feet on April 25th at 19:15 local time, which was nearly 14 feet above flood stage. High impact flooding continued into the month of May 2013.
April 1981Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
June 1999Tornado (F1)Havana$500,000no account filed
November 1975Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindBath$200,000As a bow echo moved east across Mason County, numerous trees were blown down. Some of the trees caused minor structural damage. Also, a roof was lifted off of a house and an old drive-in movie screen was blown over. Five miles west of Manito, several power lines and trees were blown down in the Woodland Estates Subdivision. Several homes sustained minor damage from the fallen trees. A 60 mph wind gust was reported in Bath. Damage in Mason County due to the thunderstorm winds was estimated around $200,000.
March 2017Tornado (EF1)Easton$150,000A tornado touched down 2.2 miles north-northwest of Easton at 11:52 PM CST. The tornado tracked northeastward, hitting a homestead 2.5 miles north of Easton where a machine shed was severely damaged, with most of its roof removed and part of the north wall bowed out. From here to the end of the track, most of the damage was to power poles or overturned irrigation rigs: however, a farm along County Road 2930E received damage as well. A grain silo had half its peaked roof cave in, and part of a machine shed had a couple smaller wall pieces blown out. The tornado dissipated 5.5 miles southeast of Forest City at 11:57 PM CST.
August 2008LightningHavana$150,000Lightning struck a house in the city of Havana setting the roof and attic ablaze. The residents of the house were able to flee uninjured. The house burned to the ground.
August 1999Thunderstorm WindBath$100,000As a line of severe thunderstorms moved through Mason County, numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines were blown down. Also, thousands of acres of corn were laid down. At the intersection of Route 97 and the Bath blacktop, a tree was blown over onto a van trapping its occupants. They were freed by rescue crews and sustained no injuries. In the Sanganois conservation area, another car was trapped by a fallen tree, but there were no injuries. Damage to the crops was estimated around $12.3 million.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindMason City$65,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
December 2018Tornado (EF1)Poplar City$65,000A tornado touched down near the intersection of 1200N and 2250E about 4.9 miles west of Easton at 4:53 PM CST. The tornado uprooted some large trees, then progressed to the NE, causing damage to power poles and tipping over many irrigation systems before it dissipated near the intersection of 2100N and 3000E about 1.9 miles east-southeast of Forest City at 5:17 PM CST.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindKilbourne$65,000Irrigation pivots were flipped and twisted. Numerous trees were blown down and a 50-60 foot tall pine tree was snapped.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindManito$60,000Numerous trees were blown down.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindEaston$60,000Several trees were blown down in Easton. One tree sliced through a mobile home.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindManito$55,000Two outbuildings were damaged and minor siding and window damage occurred to a house southeast of Manito. A few trees were blown down as well.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindHavana$50,000Several trees were blown down in Havana.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindHavana$50,000Numerous trees were blown down.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindForest City$50,000A falling tree destroyed a motor home.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindMason City$45,000Numerous power lines were knocked down in Mason City.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindForest City$45,000Numerous power lines were knocked down in Forest City.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindMason City$40,000A power pole in the Ameren parking lot was blown onto a car. A 1-foot diameter tree limb fell onto another car.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindManito$40,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Manito.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindTeheran$40,000Four power poles were snapped off and four irrigation legs were flipped at 2900E and 850N about 5 miles west of Mason City. Several 18-inch diameter trees were snapped off at 2800E just north of 850N.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindHavana$35,000Several tree limbs and power lines were blown down in Havana.
August 2009Thunderstorm WindHavana$35,000Several power lines and large tree limbs were blown down in Havana.
December 2008Thunderstorm WindKilbourne$35,000Thirty utility poles were blown down on 600 North near Kilbourne.
April 2020Thunderstorm WindMason City$30,000Several trees were blown down, including one onto a house.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindForest City$30,000Several trees were blown down.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindHavana$30,000Five power poles were snapped off west of IL-97 on 1550E near the power station.
March 2021Tornado (EF0)Mason City$25,000A tornado touched down at 10:28 PM CDT 3 miles northwest of Mason City. The tornado tracked northeastward, snapping 3 power poles along County Road 1250 North near the intersection with County Road 3300 East before dissipating at 10:34 PM CDT near the intersection of County Road 1400 North and County Road 3400 East.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindEaston$25,000Numerous power lines were blown down in Easton.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindLong Branch$25,000A portion of the roof was blown off an airplane hanger. Also, several trees were blown down.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindHavana$25,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Havana and across much of Mason County.
November 1990Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
March 1957Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
November 1951Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
August 2009Thunderstorm WindManito$22,000A 12-inch diameter tree was blown down, damaging an add-on porch in Manito.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindHavana$20,000Downed power lines caused a 4-acre field fire northeast of Havana.
September 2015Tornado (EF0)Kilbourne$20,000A tornado touched down 3.5 miles southwest of Kilbourne at 4:45 PM CDT. It then tracked southeastward across East County Road 400N and quickly dissipated 3.4 miles southwest of Kilbourne at 4:46 PM CDT. One home sustained shingle and siding damage and had tree branches blown through a few windows. In addition, numerous power lines were knocked down in the area.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindKilbourne$20,000Several trees were uprooted and a few powerlines were knocked down in Kilbourne.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindHavana$20,000Power lines were blown down in Havana.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindHavana$20,000Several trees were uprooted in Havana.
April 2000Thunderstorm WindCountywide$20,000Numerous power lines and trees were blown down countywide. In Mason City, a wall on a large storage building was blown off causing $15,000 to $20,000 in damage. Some homes in the area lost a few sections of siding, a few sheds were demolished, and some trees were uprooted.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindEckard$18,000A few trees and power lines were blown down.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindBishop$15,000Numerous large tree limbs were blown down.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindKelsey$15,000Tree limbs were blown down onto Highway 78 near Matanzas Beach.
May 2014Thunderstorm WindManito$15,000Several tree branches were blown down southeast of Manito.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindBuzzville$15,000Numerous 6 diameter branches were blown down near Goofy Ridge.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindKelsey$12,000A tree was blown onto a house in Matanzas Beach.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindMason City$10,000Two large trees were blown down and a pool deck was damaged.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindHavana$10,000Several large tree limbs were blown down.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindHavana$10,000Numerous trees were blown down in Havana.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindManito$8,000A few trees were blown down in Manito.

Mines and quarries

4 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 4 workings inside this county. 2 still produce and 2 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction3
Stone1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Mason County PitStonePast Producer
East Side Sand Co.Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Nelson Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Otto Machine Company PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

The townships, in 1876

18,033 words

Centennial History of Mason County, Including a Sketch of the Early History of Illinois, Its Physical Peculiarities, Soils, Climate, Production, Etc. devotes a chapter to each township: its boundaries and streams, who settled it and when, the mills, the schools and the churches. All 2 are reproduced here in full. Each row shows the township's own shape and where it lies in the county, drawn from the Census Bureau's boundary. Which settlements belong to which township is computed from that same boundary, not taken from the book.

Shape and position in the county TownshipSettlements in it LengthSections
Havana TownshipBaldwin Beach, Chautauqua Park, Eckard, Havana, Kelsey, Lakewood, Long Branch, Peterville, Quiver Beach6,158 words7
Lynchburg TownshipSnicarte11,875 words11

The county's history books

90,734 words

One book written about this county, cut here where the book itself is cut, at its printed chapters: 1 chapter in all. Every chapter is public domain, machine-read from the scan and reproduced complete. A chapter already given under one of the county's towns is not repeated in this list.

Centennial History of Mason County, Including a Sketch of the Early History of Illinois, Its Physical Peculiarities, Soils, Climate, Production, Etc. (1876)

ChapterLength
The whole text90,734 words in 6 parts

Every populated place in the county

34

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Mason County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.