Mason City

Mason City, NE

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Mason City is located in eastern Custer County straddling Nebraska Highway 2, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway. Its population was 171 as of the 2010 census but in 1920 had reached a high of 487. The town of Mason City, or Mason as the railroad chose to call it, was incorporated in 1886 as “Mason City”. Mason City was named after Oliver Perry Mason, a former Nebraska Supreme Court Judge. The first business in town was the People's Bank organized in February, 1886 and the first train arrived in July. George Runyan was appointed postmaster in August, 1886 and School District No. 169 was organized in 1887. 

During the 1920's when Mason City's population reached its highest number, there were two banks, a hospital, flour mill, cement plant and numerous other businesses. The population declined during the Great Depression and on into the 1990's before making a slight rebound as of the 2000 census. 

The Harvest Homecoming Celebration was started in 1919 as a three day event the first week in August. Early celebrations included important speakers and political candidates and in the 1930's attendees for the three days numbered 20,000 and state office seekers considered the festival a “must stop” on their campaign schedules. Mason City Homecoming is still an important event celebrated each summer in July. 

Mason City celebrated its centennial in 1986 with events throughout the year. A centennial marker was erected on Main Street and a wind sculpture along Highway 2. Tourist attractions also include iron sculptures by Richard Martin. Mason City, in its centennial year was named a winner in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program in the category of towns under 300 in population. Displaying pride in this small town, Mason City is undergoing an improvement project to some of its iconic buildings taken on by a private citizen, and volunteers maintain beautiful landscaping at the corners of Main Street and Highway 2. Mason City is home to the Mason City Community Building, beautiful Memorial Park, Homeward Trails Bible Camp and the Mason City Rodeo Arena.

Source:
Most information from an article written by Mason City native Joan Cox in the late 1980's.
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