Introduction to Mason, Michigan
Mason, Michigan, in Ingham county, is 12 miles SE of Lansing, Michigan (center to center) and 73 miles W of Detroit, Michigan. The city is in the Lansing - East Lansing metropolitan area.
Mason History
The Ojibwa tribe of Native Americans originally inhabited the area. Lewis Lacey, the first settler to arrive in 1836, built a saw mill for Noble & Co., following which a member of the firm, Ephraim B. Danforth, settled in the region. Around the same time, Charles Noble purchased part of a forest and established Mason Center on 20 acres of cleared woodland. Soon after, the "Center" part of the name was dropped, and the community was then known as "Mason" in honor of Stevens T. Mason, Michigan's first governor. In 1847, Mason became the seat of Ingham County. It was incorporated first as a village, and in 1875, Mason was given the status of a city. For most of the 20th century, Mason produced baby formula. The Dart Container Corporation is also headquartered in the city.
Mason and Nearby Attractions
- Mason Area Historical Museum
- W.K. Kellogg House
- Waterloo State Recreation Area
- Potter Park Zoo
- Lansing Art Gallery
Things To Do In Mason
Artifacts in the Mason Area Historical Museum reflect the area's natural and cultural history. R.E. Olds Transportation Museum showcases exhibits of Oldsmobiles, buggies, bicycles, trucks, and other vehicles including the REO, Durant, Viking, and Star. Battle Creek Sanatarium, and W.K. Kellogg House are historic sites nearby. The Waterloo State Recreation Area, which occupies over 20,000 acres, features 11 lakes, a discovery center, 47 miles of hiking trails, and swimming and picnic areas. Hidden Lake Gardens, Potter Park Zoo, W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, and Binder Park Zoo are other popular places to visit. The residents of Mason also host the Down Home Days, Spring Fling, Ingham County Fair, Mason Steam Engine & Thresher's Club Show, Independence Day Celebration, and Mason Holidays Celebration.
Mason Transportation
Air transportation is available from the Bishop International Airport.
Mason Higher Education
Colleges near Mason are Lansing Community College, Michigan State University, Jackson Community College, and Spring Arbor University.
