Mason County, Illinois

Founding: 1841
Parent counties: Menard and Tazewell

Namesake: George Mason, Virginia politician
Seat: Bath (1844–1851); Havana (1841–1844, 1851–)

Land area: 539 square miles

Population (2020): 13,086

Population (historic): 5,921 (1850); 16,184 (1870); 16,067 (1890); 17,377 (1910); 15,115 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1880; 1890s; 1930s; 1960–1980

Subdivisions: Two cities; one town; six villages; one CDP; 13 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,135 (30.2%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 48.5%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 12.5%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 7.9%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 12.6%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $1,850
Average outbuilding value (1930): $1,821

Average farmhouse size (1940): 5.8 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,558
Average farm size (1920): 172.7 acres
Sources of settlement: Germany, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kentucky
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Havana

Namesake: Havana, Cuba

Founding: 1827 (platting); 1829 (post office); 1848 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 2,963

Population (historic): 462 (1850); 1,785 (1870); 2,525 (1890); 3,525 (1910); 3,451 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1920; 1930–1950; 1960s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 557 (38.7%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Benjamin Gatton House (c. 1865). 109 Hickory Street. Bath. Italianate.
2. Union Church. 22912 North 3400 East. Manito. Gothic Revival.
3. George Randle House (c. 1870). 320 East Roosevelt Road. Mason City. Italianate.

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