What is the history of Mason, Texas?
In 1850 a small frontier fort was built by the U.S. Army on a hill overlooking what is now the small town of Mason. This fort was a base for the 2ndCavalry in their efforts to stop indian raids on white settlements in central Texas. Robert E. Lee was commander at the time of the break out of the Civil War. The protection and commercial possibilities of the fort drew settlers, many from the small Texas German town of Fredericksburg, thirty five miles to the southeast.Dissident German Methodists moved to the Willow Creek area east of Mason and established farms and ranches in the community later known as Art. After the U.S. Civil War returning Confederate veterans and German ranchers clashed over cattle rustling and other crimes. The resulting killings were known as “The HooDoo Wars,” and involved several famous gunfighters. A famous local businesswoman, Anna Martin, established several successful enterprises including a still prosperous bank, and set an example of capitalist success in
