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Mason County, Texas

37 topographic sheets cover 13 settlements here, and 5 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

5 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Mason County within Texas

What the record shows

  • 171 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 5 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 buildings, 2 districts and 1 structure.
  • 2 of the 5 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 13 populated places in this county; 13 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

5

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
Heinrich and Fredericka Hasse Housebuilding199090000336
Mason Historic Districtdistrict197474002086
Mason Historic District (Boundary Increase)district199191001526
Reynolds-Seaquist Housebuilding197474002087
State Highway 9 Bridge at the Llano Riverstructure199696001128

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

1

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1879 - Map of Mason County
Land ownership map (1879) - Map of Mason County. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

28 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 822 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 28 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-04-19, scale 1:69000
1953-04-19, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-04-19, scale 1:69000
1953-04-19, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-04-19, scale 1:69000
1953-04-19, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-04-19, scale 1:69000
1953-04-19, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-18, scale 1:16600
1961-07-18, scale 1:16600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-18, scale 1:16600
1961-07-18, scale 1:16600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-18, scale 1:16600
1961-07-18, scale 1:16600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-18, scale 1:16600
1961-07-18, scale 1:16600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1966-01-26, scale 1:29600
1966-01-26, scale 1:29600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1966-01-26, scale 1:29600
1966-01-26, scale 1:29600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1966-01-26, scale 1:29600
1966-01-26, scale 1:29600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1966-01-26, scale 1:29600
1966-01-26, scale 1:29600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-03-02, scale 1:30000
1967-03-02, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-03-02, scale 1:30000
1967-03-02, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-03-02, scale 1:30000
1967-03-02, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-03-02, scale 1:30000
1967-03-02, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-25, scale 1:31200
1969-02-25, scale 1:31200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-25, scale 1:31200
1969-02-25, scale 1:31200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-25, scale 1:31200
1969-02-25, scale 1:31200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-25, scale 1:31200
1969-02-25, scale 1:31200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-01-21, scale 1:120541
1971-01-21, scale 1:120541. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-01-21, scale 1:120541
1971-01-21, scale 1:120541. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-01-21, scale 1:120541
1971-01-21, scale 1:120541. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-01-21, scale 1:120541
1971-01-21, scale 1:120541. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-11-16, scale 1:50154
1973-11-16, scale 1:50154. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-11-16, scale 1:50154
1973-11-16, scale 1:50154. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-11-16, scale 1:50154
1973-11-16, scale 1:50154. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-11-16, scale 1:50154
1973-11-16, scale 1:50154. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

20 stations, 2 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

9 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 160-1Justice Precinct 1: Mason city: Mason city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; Comanche Creek; 1st, City limits
  • 160-2Justice Precinct 1: Mason city - That part Bounded by Comanche Creek; City limits; City limits; Gamels Branch, 2nd, Westmoreland, 1st, Ft. McKavitt, 1st
  • 160-3Justice Precinct 1: Mason city - That part Bounded by City limits; 1st, Ft. McKavitt, 1st, Westmoreland, 2nd, Gamels Branch; City limits; City limits
  • 160-4Justice Precinct 1 - That part outside Mason city
  • 160-5Justice Precinct 3
  • 160-6Justice Precinct 4
  • 160-7Justice Precinct 5
  • 160-8Justice Precinct 6
  • 160-9Justice Precinct 7

Wildfire, 2005 to 2019

314 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 314 of them, burning about 30,682 acres. 36 started naturally and 3 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined111
Debris and open burning87
Equipment and vehicle use58
Natural36
Power generation/transmission/distribution14
Recreation and ceremony3
Arson/incendiarism3
Smoking2

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

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
27 August 2015Power generation/transmission/distribution10,468 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceEATON CEMETERY
24 February 2011Debris and open burning4,500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceJAMES RIVER RD FIRE
31 December 2007Equipment and vehicle use2,800 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceART
14 April 2018Equipment and vehicle use1,400 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceWALSTON
10 July 2005Natural850 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceONION CREEK II
4 June 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined539 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHUNGRY HOLLOW FIRE
25 February 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined511 acresTexas A & M Forest Service650 FIRE (CR386)
23 July 2017Natural500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceRR152/JHSCHUESSLER

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

Storms, 1960 to 2025

60 of 237 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 237 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 8 injuries and about $14,921,030 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail154
Thunderstorm Wind40
Flash Flood25
Tornado12
Flood3
Lightning1
Heavy Rain1
Funnel Cloud1

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
May 1999Tornado (F4)Loyal Vly1 killed, 6 hurt, $750,000A large multiple-vortex tornado ripped through eastern Mason County during the late afternoon hours. The slow moving tornado first touched down near the Llano River 9 miles northwest of Loyal Valley and then travelled a 7-mile long path, finally dissipating 5 miles north of Loyal Valley. This tornado, whose width would reach three-quarters of a mile wide at times, caused widespread devastation. Two homes were completely destroyed, with debris scattered over great distances. Large pieces of a pick-up truck were located three-quarters of a mile away from the house where it had been left. Tragically, one person was killed and 5 others were injured when that same house was destroyed. The people had sought refuge in a car in a stone garage, but as the tornado tore across the garage, debris smashed through the car, killing one man and injuring the remaining occupants. Sixteen other houses were damaged, along with additional barns and outbuildings. Numerous head of cattle and deer were also killed as the tornado passed. When the tornado crossed Farm-to-Market Road 152, a stretch of asphalt 720 feet wide was ripped off of the road surface.
November 2000Flash FloodCountywide1 killed, $15,000A series of thunderstorms produced 6 to 8 inches of rain across much of the county, causing most creeks and streams to rise out of their banks. Most roadways across the county became flooded and impassable. Tragically, one man was killed during the evening of the 3rd when his truck was washed away at a low water crossing along Beaver Creek southeast of Mason.
March 1979Tornado (F3)not stated1 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
May 2010Thunderstorm WindMason1 hurtA NWS survey team reported several trees down, a trading auction's facility roof was severely damage, and an old barn was also damaged. The team found no damage to nearby structures. Law Enforcement Officials reported many power lines down across the town of Mason.
October 2018FloodGrit$8,500,000Prolonged heavy rainfall flooded roads across Mason County and this flooding resulted in damage to 257 miles of road.
June 1997Flash FloodMason$2,000,000Four to eight inches of rain fell over most of Mason County but much higher amounts fell in a few areas.In the town of Mason 10 to 11 inches of rain was reported and in northeast Mason County, there was an unofficial report of 25 inches of rain. Farm-to-Market roads were closed throughout the county.
November 1996Thunderstorm WindMason$500,000no account filed
May 2005HailMason$100,000The supercell that developed in northern Concho County reached Mason. The storm produced hail across the northern half of the city, and the largest hail stones were noted just to the east of town. Mason was spared considerable damage with the main core of the storm passing within a mile or two of town.
July 2002Flash FloodCountywide$100,000Heavy rains during the early morning hours produced widespread flooding over a large part of Mason County. There were numerous road closures during the height of the flooding. The majority of the property damage received was from road washouts.
June 2009Tornado (EF1)Hedwigs Hill$80,000National Weather Service Storm Survey Team found evidence of an EF1 track located about 9 miles southeast of Mason. The tornado damaged or uprooted numerous large oak trees and pushed a manufactured home off of its foundation. The tornado destroyed the porch, an outbuilding, and a roof of a nearby home.
May 2006Tornado (F0)Mason$80,000The tornado damaged trees, a metal fence, and ripped some sheet metal roofing off a barn. A hunting cabin was also destroyed.
May 2006Tornado (F1)Loyal Vly$75,000The tornado produced considerable tree damage.
October 1996Flash FloodMason$50,000no account filed
June 2009Thunderstorm WindKatemcy$40,000A few roofs were blown off and tree limbs were broken.
May 1976Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 2004Flash FloodEast Portion$15,000Heavy rains on the morning and early afternoon of the 9th, flooded several roads in the eastern portions of Mason county. Several rural roads were scoured. Beaver creek near Mason reached bank full stage.
January 1995HailMason$10,000Thunderstorms produced large hail in a strip one mile long and three miles wide west of the city of Mason. Trees were stripped of their leaves and hail was piled up to 12 inches deep in places. Cars were dented and windows were broken in homes and buildings. Grass and vegetation was reported to have been beaten to the ground in the storm. The thunderstorm moved northeastward but produced no large hail in Mason.
May 2004HailMason$10,000no account filed
May 2004HailMason$10,000no account filed
April 2007HailHedwigs Hill$8,000The large hail broke residential windows and a truck windshield.
April 2002Tornado (F0)Katemcy$8,000Brief tornado touchdown in eastern Mason county and demolished a travel trailer.
March 2004Thunderstorm WindMason$5,000A storage shed and trees were blown over.
November 2000Thunderstorm WindMason$5,000Thunderstorm winds downed tree limbs and power lines across the town of Mason.
February 1998Thunderstorm WindMason$5,000no account filed
August 1997Thunderstorm WindMason$5,000no account filed
May 1994HailMason$5,000no account filed
May 1994HailMason$5,000no account filed
May 1994HailMason$5,000no account filed
July 1998Thunderstorm WindFredonia$3,000A barn suffered roof damage and a shed was partially destroyed.
September 2003Thunderstorm WindMason$2,000Strong thunderstorm winds ripped shingles off of a roof and knocked down tree limbs.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindMason$2,000A downburst struck near the town of Mason. A telephone pole was snapped and several trees were blown over.
February 1998LightningMason$2,0005 heifers struck and killed by lightning
September 2003Flash FloodCountywide$1,000Thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced up to four inches of rain over Mason county in the late afternoon and evening of the 11th. This produced significant flooding in the city of Mason and secondary roads throughout the county.
September 1974Tornado (F0)not stated$30no account filed
May 2025HailMason-A trained spotter reported a lot of 1 inch diameter size hail with a few golf ball size hail mixed in.
May 2025HailKoockville-Law enforcement reported quarter size hail.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindKoockville-Law enforcement reported a power line blown down.
May 2025HailKoockville-Public reported quarter size hail.
May 2025HailLoyal Vly-Public report of 2 inch diameter size hail 3 miles northwest of Loyal Valley.
July 2025Flash FloodAir-Law enforcement reported that US Highway 87 was flooded near Dry Prong Road, north of the city of Mason. Time was estimated by radar.
July 2025Flash FloodGrit-Law enforcement reported that the split at State Highway 29 and US Highway 377 was flooded, west-northwest of the city of Mason. Time was estimated by radar.
July 2025Flash FloodMason-Law enforcement reported that a low water crossing along James River Road was flooded. Time is estimated by radar.
July 2025Flash FloodKoockville-The Mason County Sheriff's Office reported two streets significantly flooded with approximately 3 feet of water deep over the road. In addition, four low water crossings in Mason County were flooded with a foot of water deep at each of those low water crossings.
July 2025Flash FloodStreeter-Law enforcement reported that the town of Streeter was flooded. The time of the report was estimated by radar.
March 2024HailKoockville-Public reported pea to quarter size hail.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindKoockville-An Emergency Manager reported there was part of a roof blown off and a few trees blown down at the high school and park in Mason.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindKatemcy-There was a roof to a house was partially blown off.
May 2024HailKoockville-A storm chaser reported golf ball size and larger hail across Mason.
April 2024HailLoyal Vly-A trained spotter reported 2 inch diameter hail in Loyal Valley.
April 2023HailGrit-The report was from mping.
April 2023HailKoockville-The report was from mping.
April 2023HailStreeter-The report was from mping.
April 2023HailHedwigs Hill-The report was from mping.
April 2023FloodKoockville-The report is from mping.
April 2023HailStreeter-There was hen egg to tennis ball size hail reported.
April 2023HailKoockville-The hail size was estimated while driving on Highway 87.
April 2023HailLoyal Vly-The public reported golf ball size hail 4.2 miles south of Loyal Valley. The time was estimated by radar.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindGrit-There were trees uprooted and a roof was blown off. Public report from mPING.
June 2023HailKatemcy-The public reported golf ball size hail in Katemcy.
June 2023HailStreeter-The public reported golf ball size hail and very strong winds 2 miles north-northeast of Ema.

Mines and quarries

10 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 10 workings inside this county. 3 still produce and 7 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Tin3
Copper2
Manganese2
Stone, Dimension1
Granite1
Sand and Gravel, Industrial/Frac Sand1

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

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Erna Frac SandSand and Gravel, Industrial/Frac SandProducer
Mason County QuarryGraniteProducer
Unnamed QuarryStone, DimensionProducerGranite
Bauer ProspectCopperOccurrence
Haynie MineCopperOccurrence
Kothmann TractManganeseUnknown1910
Spiller MineManganeseUnknown1910
Grit Stream Tin DepositsTinOccurrence1908
Streeter Stream Tin DepositTinOccurrence1908
Tin ProspectTinOccurrence

Every populated place in the county

13

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.

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.