I believe this house was built by William Benjamin Mason (1852-1913), a dry goods merchant in Homer, who came to Banks County from Pickens County, South Carolina, as a young man. I’ve seen it referred to as the Moss Mason House, as well; this could be due to the fact that a son of William Benjamin Mason, Dick Moss Mason (1878-1964) was a longtime resident here. The Plantation Plain architecture, popular in rural Georgia in the antebellum era, was also common in the decade after the Civil War and would suggest a likely construction date in the 1870s.
This house seems to be in danger of being lost without stabilization. I originally thought the outbuilding pictured below to be a dovecote, but now I am not sure what purpose it served.
Homer Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Hello, I found a letter from Cpl. Larry Davis to Mrs. Walter Mason in Homer, Ga. dated April 16, 1963 in a cookbook. Let me know if you’d like the letter as I’m sure it’s your family based on the comments. My # is 770.733.5921. Teresa Eubanks.
This is so interesting. I’m currently doing research on my family and found this post. William Benjamin Mason was my great-great-great grandfather. Most of the Mason family remained rooted in Banks Co.(Homer) for many years, until my grandfather, Walter Lee Mason, moved to Spalding Co. (Griffin) in the mid-to-late 1960s.
I would love to visit this home, if it is still standing. Do you happen to have or recall the address?
Thanks!
Jason Hicks
Jason- Interesting connection. I don’t know an exact address, but it’s close to the courthouse, in the middle of town. You really can’t miss it.
Brian – Thank you for that! Based on your comment, I was able to find it using Google Maps. I still have family in Homer and Commerce and one of my cousins said that he will show me where the Mason and Davis families live(d). I haven’t been back here in quite some time and it will be great to see it again.
Thank you for your response!
Jason