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is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is named after the state's first governor, Stevens T. Mason. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,714, with the 2007 estimate placing it at 8,145. It is the county seat of Ingham County. Mason is the only city in the U.S. that serves as a county seat ahead of a state capital, with the capital of Lansing also in Ingham County. Despite being the county seat, many county offices and courtrooms are located in Lansing.
In 1836 Charles Noble knew that Michigan would be seeking a central location for a new capital when it became a state. He purchased an area of forest, cleared , and founded Mason Center. "Center" was soon dropped. However, in 1847, the state instead chose Lansing Township northward to be its capital due its potential for water power. However, Noble did manage to make Mason the county seat instead. Up into the 1900s, the local Ojibwa tribe roaming freely within the town was commonplace. Ingham County's first courthouse was built in 1843, and was replaced in 1858, and then again in 1905. In 1865, Mason was incorporated as a village and in 1875 the town became a city. At this point, Mason was the center of local matters, even more than Lansing. In 1877, Lansing attempted to take the status of county seat for itself, but the two cities made an agreement that moved some county offices and courts to Lansing. In the 1900s, Mason began producing baby formula and creams. Today, it is home to the headquarters of Dart Container Corporation. Lear Corporation also has facilities within the city. Cows can still be seen grazing within the city limits.