Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 171
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Reconstructed officers quarters at Fort Mason
M
MEMPHIS
Pop. 2,469Alt. 2,067
Wonderland of Lights-Held annually Thanksgiving - New Year's Day
features millions of tiny white lights. This is one of the largest concerted
holiday light shows in the nation. Hundreds of businesses outline buildings
and decorate windows; entire neighborhoods decorate around central
themes; more than 125,000 lights decorate festival's 'jewel," the historic
Courthouse Museum. Visitors from all 50 states and many forieign countries
have attended the extravaganza. For information, 903/935-7868.MASON
Pop. 2,122Alt. 1,550
Map 0-14
General-Seat of Mason County, grew under
protection of Fort Mason, one of series of
* Texas frontier forts. In rolling, scenic Hill
Country noted for camping, hunting and
fishing. White-tailed deer and wild turkey
attract hunters each fall and winter; fishing in beautiful Llano River is year
round sport. Historical interest centers around Indians who once roamed
area, a bloody feud known as the Mason County War, and the fort. Many
homes and businesses in town are constructed of original-cot sandstone
blocks from old Fort Mason. Bluebonnets blanket surrounding hillsides and
valleys during spring. Note picturesque rock fences stitched along scenic
countryside.
Visit historic town square; quaint courthouse amid large pecan trees
offers photo opportunity.
Fort Mason-An officers quarters reconstructed on crest of Post Hill marks
location of fort that commanded a wide view. A number of crumbling foun-
dations still show some sites of 23 original buildings that included barracks,
officers quarters, storehouses, stables, guardhouse and hospital. Primarily a
cavalry post, Fort Mason was duty station for such military figures as Albert
Sidney Johnston, John Bell Hood and Robert E. Lee. Fort Mason was Lee's
last command in U.S. Army-'from here he was called to Washington where
he refused command of Union army being prepared for the War Between the
States. Briefly activated after that war, Fort Mason was abandoned in 1869.
The reconstructed building is on original foundations; double fireplace foun-
dations are original, and rock used was from original building materials of
fort. About five blocks south of courthouse.
Fort Mason City Park-125-acre park with picknicking facilities among
large pecan trees, fully equipped RV camping sites, 9-hole golf course, rodeo
arena, athletic fields, walking trails, and playscape. U.S. 87 1 mile south.
Mason County Museum-General collection of Mason County historical
items is housed in old schoolhouse built in 1870s, largely from material from
Fort Mason buildings. The original spring for the fort still flows just east of
the museum, although not as profusely as when it served the fort. Open
Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 300 Moody St.
Seaquist Home-Constructed in 1880s; contains 17 rooms, 14 fireplaces;
exhibits outstanding craftsmanship, unusual architecture, furnishings.
Normally open for tours, but appointments advisable. 400 Broad St.
Admission.
MATHIS-See CORPUS CHRISTI AND THE COASTAL BEND SECTION,
Page 22.General-Seat of Hall County, one of major
cotton-producing counties in Texas
Panhandle and banking and marketing
center for surrounding area. Industries
include agribusiness firms, cotton storage,processing and shipping, grain and livestock.
Bob Wills Museum-See TURKEY.
City Park-Facilities include overnight camping, swimming pool, nine-hole
golf Course. tennis courts.
Scenic Drive-Texas 256 west traverses rolling country often cut by tribu-
taries of Prairie Dog Town Fork of Red River. It threads among the jumbled,
broken remnants of the High Plains, then ascends the Cap Rock in a spectac-
ular drive amid colorful cliffs and canyons.MENARD
Pop. 1,774Alt. 1,960
Map 0-13
General-Established 1858 near ruins of
ancient Spanish mission Santa Cruz de
San Saba (see below), which had been
abandoned a century before. Town was
early trading post and stop on north and
west cattle trails; compound of an old Spanish mission just east of town
served as corral, holding up to 3,000 cattle on way to market. Only scattered
ruins of mission remain today. Currently, sheep and wool production are of
Rock fences near Mason
P,
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171Marshall's Wonderland of Lights
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/173/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.