George D. Mason

Mason in stone, Masonic Temple

George DeWitt Mason (July 4, 1856 – June 3, 1948) was an American architect who practiced in Detroit, Michigan in the latter part of the 19th and early decades of the 20th centuries.[1]

Biography

George Mason was born in Syracuse, New York, the son of James H. and Zelda E. Mason. The family moved to Detroit in 1870 and he received his early education there.

He began his architectural career working for Detroit architect Hugh Smith in 1875 but this only lasted a summer. After this he moved to the firm of Henry T. Brush where he worked for the first nine months without pay. Mason started out assigned to some specific detailing work on the George O. Robinson House and the Detroit Public Library.[2] One of the first buildings in which Mason received equal billing for the design was the Ransom Gillis House.[3] In 1878 he joined with Zachariah Rice to form the firm Mason & Rice. This partnership lasted until 1898, after which time Mason continued his practice alone.[4]

From 1884 until 1896 Albert Kahn worked with Mason and Rice and he returned to partner with Mason for a few years early in the 20th Century.[5]

A number of Mason's works, either by himself or as part of Mason & Rice, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Selected commissions

Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (1883)
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island (1887)
Detroit Masonic Temple (1926)
All buildings are located in Detroit, unless otherwise indicated.

Works include (with attribution):

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hill, Eric J. and John Gallagher (2002). AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3120-3. P. 341.
  2. ↑ Ferry, W. Hawkins (1980). The Buildings of Detroit: A History. Wayne State University Press, Detroit, Michigan. Pp. 86, 90.
  3. ↑ Ransom Gillis Home. Detroit1701. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  4. ↑ Pipp, E.G. (1927). Men Who Have Made Michigan. Pipp's Magazine, Detroit, Michigan.
  5. ↑ UMichigan Architecture: Albert Kahn
  6. ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  7. ↑ http://quod.lib.umich.edu/d/dpa1ic/x-dpa3469/dpa3469___tif
  8. ↑ Ferry, 1980, p. 130.
  9. ↑ Ferry, 1980, p. 140.
  10. ↑ http://www.walkervilletimes.com/whisky-palace.htm

Further reading

External links

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