George D. Mason Explained

Birth Name:George DeWitt Mason
Birth Date:4 July 1856
Birth Place:Syracuse, New York
Death Place:Detroit, Michigan
Burial Place:Evergreen Cemetery
Occupation:Architect
Children:1
Signature:Signature of George DeWitt Mason (1856–1948).png

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. In 1870 the family moved to Detroit, where Mason received his early education.[2] [3]

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[4] and the Detroit Public Library.[5] One of the first buildings in which Mason received equal billing for the design was the Ransom Gillis House.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

He married Ida Whitaker in 1882, and they had one daughter.[2]

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

Mason died on June 3, 1948, at his home in the Wilshire Apartments building, at the age of 91. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit.[3]

Selected commissions

All buildings are located in Detroit, unless otherwise indicated.

Works include (with attribution):

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hill . Eric J. . John . Gallagher . AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture . 2002 . . 0-8143-3120-3 . registration . 341.
  2. Book: Moore, Charles . History of Michigan . IV . The Lewis Publishing Company. Chicago . 1785–1786 . 1915 . 2023-03-09 . Internet Archive.
  3. News: George Mason Dies; Was Noted Architect . . 17 . 1948-06-05 . 2023-03-09 . Newspapers.com.
  4. https://picturesqueitalianatearchitecture.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-george-o-robinson-house-detroit-mi.html The Picturesque Style: Italianate Architecture: The George O. Robinson House, Detroit, Michigan
  5. Ferry, W. Hawkins (1980). The Buildings of Detroit: A History. Wayne State University Press, Detroit, Michigan. pp. 86, 90.
  6. http://detroit1701.psc.isr.umich.edu./RansomGillisHome.html Ransom Gillis Home
  7. Book: Pipp, E. G. . Men Who Have Made Michigan . 52 . 1927 . . Detroit, Michigan . 2023-03-09 . Google Books.
  8. Web site: UMichigan Architecture: Albert Kahn . 2011-07-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120316022450/http://www2.si.umich.edu/umarch/architects/kahn.html . 2012-03-16 . dead .
  9. Web site: Thompson Home for Old Ladies | DPL DAMS.
  10. Ferry, W. Hawkins (1980). The Buildings of Detroit: A History. Wayne State University Press, Detroit, Michigan. p. 140

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