Silas B. Mason

Silas B. Mason II
Born(1879-10-22)October 22, 1879
Orange County, Virginia, U.S.
DiedApril 14, 1936(1936-04-14) (aged 56)
Grand Coulee, Washington, U.S.
Resting placeFrankfort Cemetery
EducationPrinceton University
Occupation(s)Construction businessman, racehorse owner & breeder
Board member ofMason & Hanger, Keeneland Association
SpouseSuzanne Dallam Burnett

Silas Boxley Mason II (October 22, 1879 – April 14, 1936) was an American construction executive and racehorse owner, born in Orange County, Virginia. He was part of a Mason family that had been involved with the construction business since 1827.[1] A graduate of Washington and Lee University and Princeton University, he went on to make the Mason & Hanger company one of the largest construction contractors in the United States.

His first high-profile venture came in 1927 when he was awarded the contract for the George Washington Bridge foundation on the New Jersey side.[2] During the 1930s Mason would cement his reputation as a master builder when in 1933 he headed the M. W. A. K. consortium (Mason-Walsh-Atkinson, Kier) that built the Grand Coulee Dam in Mason City, Washington.[3] His company would then become involved in the construction of the Lincoln Tunnel.[4][5]

  1. ^ BMP Center of Excellence
  2. ^ "New York Times", April 30, 1927 article titled "First Contract Let for Hudson Bridge; Silas B. Mason Gets Award for Foundations on the New Jersey Side"
  3. ^ The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes: A Comprehensive History By Richard Sowers page 118
  4. ^ Mason&Hanger
  5. ^ Lemert, Ann (1979). First You Take A Pick & Shovel, The Story of the Mason Companies. Lexington: The John Bradford Press. pp. 45–48, 254.