Lindsay Ranch Guesthouses

Mason County was founded in 1858. Fort Mason protected the citizens of the area from Indian attacks.

Many famous generals, including Robert E. Lee, were stationed at Fort Mason. Many descendants of the soldiers still live in Mason County.

Thomas Milligan was Alva Clay Lindsay's paternal great-great grandfather. One of his daughters, Matilda Ellen Milligan,  married John Allen Lindsay. 

 "Captured" by Scott Zesch is a book  which tells the story of children from Mason County who were taken by the Indians. 

"The Life and Times of Thomas Gamel" was written by Clay's great uncle about things that happened here. 

"Letters of a German Pioneer" by Franz Kettner and

 "Die Kettner Briefe"; The Kettner Letters: A Firsthand Account of a German Immigrant in the Texas Hill Country (1850-1875) by Ilse Wurster, and Charles Kettner tells of everyday life on the Texas Frontier and in Mason County. 

Franz (Francis) Kettner, Clay Lindsay's maternal great-grandfather, arrived in Galveston, Texas from Germany on November 10, 1848 at the age of 22.

Franz became a Texas Ranger, owned his own businesses and was a Sheriff in Fredericksburg, Texas before he settled about five miles south of Mason on Comanche  Creek where he ranched, fought Indians, worked for the County and raised five children.

You can read much more about Mason and these amazing people in "Good Times." It is available at the Lindsay Ranch, a couple of stores in Mason and Amazon. 

The Lindsay Ranch was founded in 1858 and is still owned by the Lindsay Family.

John W. Gamel, Clay Lindsay's maternal grandfather, was a cattleman who took several herds of longhorns up the trail to Abilene. 

John W. Gamel  and Mr. Lockhart, gave the land for the town square.

Read the next page "More About John W. Gamel, Alva Clay Lindsay's Grandfather" if you are interested in Texas history. 

 The Gamel Guesthouse, now owned by Gene and Patsy Zesch, was built by John W. Gamel in 1867.

When you are in Mason, be sure to check out the two museums. You'll be glad you did.

Another must see is the Reconstructed Officer's Quarters at Fort Mason.

Drive past the Library and keep going south on Post Hill.

It is amazing to see the photographs of all the men who served as Commander of Fort Mason who became Generals in the Civil War ... on both sides.  

One recent group of guests took their BBQ and enjoyed Sunday dinner on the deck of the Fort Mason Site. They enjoyed the peace, beauty and view.