Mason, Michigan

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Not to be confused with Mason, Houghton County, Michigan.
Mason, Michigan
City, county seat
Downtown Mason, looking west from the Town Square.
Downtown Mason, looking west from the Town Square.
Nickname(s): 
Hometown, USA
Location of Mason in Michigan.
Location of Mason in Michigan.
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyIngham
Settled1836
Incorporated1865
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • BodyMason City Council
 • MayorMike Waltz
 • AdministratorPatrick Price (Acting)
Area
[1]
 • Total5.13 sq mi (13.29 km2)
 • Land5.10 sq mi (13.21 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
919 ft (280 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total8,252
 • Estimate 
(2014[3])
8,319
 • Density1,618.0/sq mi (624.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
48854
Area code517
FIPS code26-52180[4]
GNIS feature ID0631694[5]
Websitehttp://www.mason.mi.us

Mason is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is named after the state's first governor, Stevens T. Mason. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,252. It is the county seat of Ingham County.[6] Mason is the only city in the U.S. that serves as a county seat ahead of a state capital, with the capital of Lansing also in Ingham County. Despite Mason being the county seat, many county offices and courtrooms are located in Lansing.

History

In 1836 Charles Noble knew that Michigan would be seeking a central location for a new capital when it became a state. He purchased an area of forest, cleared 20 acres (81,000 m2), and founded Mason Center. The "Center" was soon dropped. In 1847, however, the state chose Lansing Township 12 miles (19 km) northward to be its capital due its potential for water power. Noble managed to make Mason the county seat instead. Ingham County's first downtown courthouse was built in 1843, and was replaced in 1858, and then again in 1905.

In 1865, Mason was incorporated as a village; in 1875 the town became a city. In the 1800s, Mason was the center of Ingham County activity, even more than was Lansing, the state capital. In 1877, Lansing attempted to take the status of county seat for itself, but the two cities made an agreement that moved some county offices and courts to Lansing in exchange for Mason remaining the county seat. As a result, Michigan is the only state in the country with a capital city that is not also a county seat.

Up into the early 1900s, the local Ojibwa tribe had a visible presence in the town. In the 1900s, The Wyeth Corporation began producing baby formula in Mason, but that was discontinued in the 1990s. Today, it is home to the headquarters of Dart Container Corporation. Lear Corporation, Gestamp Hardtech, and Ingham Intermediate School District also have facilities in the Mason area. Cattle can still be seen grazing within the city limits.[7]

The courthouse scenes of the 2011 film Real Steel were filmed at the Ingham County Courthouse in downtown Mason.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.13 square miles (13.29 km2), of which 5.10 square miles (13.21 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[1] Sycamore Creek flows through the city.[8]

Mason sits upon the Mason Esker, which is one of the longest eskers in the western hemisphere.[9]

Transportation

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860363—
18701,212233.9%
18801,80949.3%
18901,8753.6%
19001,828−2.5%
19101,742−4.7%
19201,8797.9%
19302,57537.0%
19402,86711.3%
19503,51422.6%
19604,52228.7%
19705,46820.9%
19806,01910.1%
19906,76812.4%
20006,714−0.8%
20108,25222.9%
2015 (est.)8,427[11]2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,252 people, 3,278 households, and 2,032 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,618.0 inhabitants per square mile (624.7/km2). There were 3,574 housing units at an average density of 700.8 per square mile (270.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% White, 5.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 3,278 households of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 6,714 people, 2,806 households, and 1,826 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,466.6 per square mile (566.0/km²). There were 2,961 housing units at an average density of 646.8 per square mile (249.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.98% White, 0.64% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.74% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.73% of the population.

Ingham County Courthouse

There were 2,806 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,790, and the median income for a family was $53,519. Males had a median income of $41,081 versus $26,266 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,866. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over

Government

Mason was first incorporated as a village in 1865, and was later incorporated as a municipality in 1875. The city provides a full range of services and facilities including public sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water, police and fire protection, street maintenance, parks and recreation facilities, and cemetery services. The city also owns and provides the land and building facilities for the Mason branch of the Capital Area District Library (CADL).

The City of Mason has a Council-Manager form of government, where a City Administrator manages the daily operation of city services and other functions, and a seven-member city council provides general oversight of city government by determining policy, enacting legislation, and approving the annual budget. Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms and the city council appoints one of its members to serve as mayor and another to serve as mayor pro tem.

Name Office Term Expires
Mike Waltz Mayor 2018
Marlon I. Brown Mayor Pro Tem 2018
Les Bruno Councilmember 2016
Leon Clark Councilmember 2016
Jon Droscha Councilmember 2018
Elaine Ferris Councilmember 2016
James Mulvany Councilmember 2016

Points of interest

The Historic Mason Library

Celebrations and festivals

  • Down Home Days, a Thursday through Sunday festival, centered on the third Saturday in September. A variety of community activities are planned for each day. Beginning in 1973, the outdoor Courthouse Show features arts, crafts, and other booths on Saturday around the courthouse, hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Spring Fling, a Thursday through Sunday festival, centered on the first Saturday in May. A variety of community activities are planned for each day. Beginning in 1983, the outdoor Courthouse Show features arts, crafts, and other booths on Saturday around the courthouse, hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Ingham County Fair the last week of July. This county fair began over 155 years ago.
  • Mason Steam Engine & Thresher's Club Show, a steam engine show, starting the last Friday in July.
  • Mason Aviation Day at Mason Jewett Airport in mid-August, hosted by EAA Chapter 55.
  • Independence Day Celebration, on the 4th of July, daytime car show around the downtown Courthouse, evening parade hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce, and twilight fireworks at the Fairgrounds.
  • Mason Holidays Celebration, the Friday after Thanksgiving, community tree lighting on Courthouse Square downtown light parade after dark, and more, hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Thursday Night Live summer outdoor concert series (weather permitting) on eight select Thursday evenings in the downtown Courthouse lawn, hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Annual Memorial Day Parade, Veterans Day Parade, and Homecoming Parade.
  • Sun Dried Music Fest third weekend of August, hosted by the Mason Downtown Development Authority

Famous residents and businesses

  • According to The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X spent part of his childhood in Mason. He was placed in a juvenile home in Mason in 1939 and completed 8th grade at Mason High School, where historical accounts indicate he received straight-"A" grades. [7][failed verification] A famous anecdote of Malcolm X's life tells of a teacher who discouraged Malcolm of his dream of becoming a lawyer because of his race. However, sources vary on whether this was a Mason teacher. Malcolm was taught public speaking by Howard McCowan, a very successful lawyer in Mason.
  • Former Mason resident Ltc. Amos Steele was one of the (relatively) few Union soldiers to be killed during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.[13] Steele Street and Steele Street Elementary School are named after him.
  • David Feintuch, author of the acclaimed science fiction series the Seafort Saga, was a longtime resident of Mason.
  • Mason is home to Kristin Haynie, a former point guard with the Women's National Basketball Association who now plays in Europe. Haynie, a 2001 Mason High School graduate, was a 2005 first-round WNBA draft pick after leading Michigan State to the women's NCAA national championship game.
  • Mason is home to Dart Container Corporation, the largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers in the world. Dart is known for being vertically integrated, and is one of the largest privately owned corporations in Michigan. Notably, Dart container also owns solo.
  • John W. Longyear, a judge and politician, moved to Mason in 1844, where he taught school and studied law.
  • Fernando Henderson, an Olympic swimmer for the Dominican Republic, went to Mason High School in 1984.[14]
  • Steve Clark, a Mason native, plays professional soccer for Columbus Crew SC in the MLS.
  • Courtney Allison Moulton, a 2004 graduate of Mason High School, is author of the young adult fantasy novel series Angelfire.
  • Floyd Wilcox, born in Mason in 1886,[15] was the third president of Shimer College.
  • Estelle Philleo, an 1898 graduate of Mason High School, was the composer of many well-known songs of her era, including the 1917 poem-turned-song titled Out Where the West Begins. Her compositions had such an impact on the era, she became known as The Spirit of the West. She is the subject of the book Estelle Philleo: Setting the West to Music.
  • Denny Stolz, a 1951 graduate of Mason High School, is a former college football coach. During his 23-year college coaching career, he was head coach for Alma College, Michigan State University, Bowling Green State University, and San Diego State University.
  • Alan Curtis (harpsichordist), born in Mason in 1934 and a graduate of Mason High School in 1951, was a harpsichordist, musicologist and conductor of baroque opera.

Notes

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  4. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mason, Michigan
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ^ Schultz, Todd: Michigan History Magazine, issue January/February 2008, page 50.
  8. ^ The National Map, accessed 2015-09-23
  9. ^ Field Manual of Soil Engineering. Michigan. State Highway Dept. 1952. p. 8. The longest esker in Michigan is called the Mason esker and it extends from the outskirts of Lansing to a point beyond Mason {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  10. ^ CATA Route 46 Mason, Limited, CATA.org, retrieved 2009-Nov-05
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ Carol Reardon. ["http://www.uncpress.unc.edu/browse/book_detail?title_id=195" Pickett's Charge in History and Memory]. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  14. ^ The Profile. Mason High School. November 1984. p. 1. Olympic Diver Enrolls as Student.
  15. ^ "Students: 1913". The Institution Bulletin. Vol. 4. p. 274.

External links

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