File:Allen C Mason, approximately 1888-1890 (PORTRAITS 2116).jpg

Photographer: I.G. Davidson, Tacoma, Washington Territory. PH Coll 1034.Mason, A1

Allen Chase Mason was born in Polo, Illinois in 1855. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1875 in Bloomington, Illinois. He married Libbie Lawrence in 1878 and they had two children. He was a superintendent to various schools in Illinois. He passed the bar in 1881, and then in 1883, Mason and his family moved to Tacoma, Washington where he practiced law. He became a prominent figure in the development of Tacoma and was one of the founders of the bar association in Tacoma. He was involved in real estate and made large scale improvements to Tacoma’s infrastructure. He established the Shore Line Railroad, built street car lines, owned stock in Tacoma’s theater and hotel, and help build downtown real estate. Mason designed Tacoma's Star of Destiny to advertise the town in the east coast. He labeled Tacoma as The City of Destiny. After a decade of being in Tacoma, Mason became the city’s first millionaire. In the Panic of 1893, Mason bought back houses from anyone who asked and in the process lost his fortune.

• Subjects (LCSH): Mason, Allen Chase, 1855-1920; Lawyers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Real estate agents--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Men--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits