Class 2001
Primus P. Mason
Primus P. Mason was a known adventurer, clever businessman, successful entrepreneur, and generous philanthropist in the 19th century.
Primus’ life began humbly. He was born of African-American parents in 1817 as a freeman and was apprenticed to a Monson farmer for an unspecified term of indenture. In 1837, after he was severely mistreated by the farmer, Primus left Monson and settled in Springfield. During his initial years in Springfield, Mason worked as a teamster. Between 1837 and 1850, he was married three times and amassed a real estate fortune valued at $1,000.
Primus was swept up in the excitement of the 1849 Gold Rush and moved to California to seek his fortune. When he returned to Springfield as a fairly wealthy man, he continued to prosper by astutely investing in real estate and selling it for significant profit. Mason had the foresight and instinct to see Springfield’s future growth and expansion. Mason purchased real estate on the “Hill†which was not yet developed and, after the Civil War, sold it to the McKnight brothers for a substantial profit. When Mason learned that the farmer who had beaten him so severely was also trying to cash in on the real estate market by attempting to purchase land for $40, Primus immediately paid $60 for the same land and re-sold it to the farmer for $100. It was a sweet revenge for Primus.
In 1850, Mason purchased the triangular piece of land at the junction of Wilbraham Road and State Street. He sold the property in 1860 to the City for $65 on the condition that it be used for public purposes. The City later built a much needed firehouse on that site and named the location Winchester Square (now known as Mason Square). The surrounding land also developed into the nucleus of one of Springfield’s more profitable industrial areas.
Primus Mason outlived his three wives and only child. He died in Springfield in 1892 at the age of 75, leaving an estate consisting of $40,000 in real estate and $500 worth of personal property. He left much of the estate to his relatives, with the remaining $25,000 to be used for the establishment of a Home for Aged Men. The $25,000 grew significantly and in 1904 a home on Walnut Street was purchased to house aged men regardless of their ability to pay. In 1924 a new building was erected as a permanent home for aged men. There was so much success with the home that by 1958 its endowment had grown to $1.7 million. Today it is the newly reconstructed Mason-Wright Retirement Community.
Primus P. Mason was a true entrepreneur. He overcame substantial obstacles, was willing to take risks, and was tenacious in his business dealings in order to achieve his goals. We are proud to induct Primus P. Mason into the Western Massachusetts Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.