Statue of Stevens T. Mason
Stevens T. Mason, also known as the Stevens T. Mason Monument, is a monumental statue in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The monument was designed by sculptor Albert Weinert and architect H. Van Buren Magonigle in honor of Stevens T. Mason, who had served as the first governor of Michigan in the mid-1800s and is notable for being the youngest person to ever serve as the governor of a U.S. state. Mason's remains are interred underneath the monument, which is located in Capitol Park, the site of the former state capitol building. The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day 1908.
The statue in 2011
The monument with original platform and exedra, c. 1916
Stevens Thomson Mason was an American politician who served as the first governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840. Coming to political prominence at an early age, Mason was appointed his territory's acting territorial secretary by Andrew Jackson at age 19, becoming the acting territorial governor soon thereafter in 1834 at age 22. As territorial governor, Mason was instrumental in guiding Michigan to statehood, which was secured in 1837. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected as Michigan's first state governor in 1835, where he served until 1840. Elected at 23 and taking office at 24, Mason was and remains the youngest state governor in American history.
Stevens T. Mason
This 1837 Whig cartoon charges Mason with vote-buying, while promising a modest provision by the Whigs to the poor in the event of victory by Charles C. Trowbridge - mentioned in a sign near the middle of the page.
Renovated Stevens T. Mason Monument in 2011