Cherokee, Macon, NewHanover, Pamlico, Scotland, Swain and Transylvania counties:
Fifteen places in NC are named ‘Mason’
According to The North Carolina Gazeteer, UNC Press 1968, our state honors its Masons by naming towns, inlets, bays, sounds, branches, creeks, knobs, crossroads and mountains for the fraternity or for folks with that name.

Masonboro in New Hanover County was named because “a number of zealous Masons in the late 18th century built houses there.” It appeared first on a 1770 map. “A popular resort in the early and middle 19th century.”

Mason Bay in north Pamlico County, in Bay River.

Masonboro Inlet, east New Hanover County, opposite the mouth of Hewlets Creek between the waters of Middle and Masonboro Sounds. Shole Inlet, on the Mosely map of 1733, was at this site but closed after 1775. Masonboro Inlet opened by 1833 at the old Shole or Shoal Inlet site. It took its name from the resort community of Masonboro south of the mouth of Hewlets Creek.

Masonboro Township, central New Hanover County.

Masonboro Sound, east New Hanover County between Greenville Sound and Myrtle Sound.

Mason Branch rises in central Cherokee County near Mason Knob and flows southeast into Valley River.

Another Mason Branch rises in north Macon County and flows southwest into Little Tennessee River.

And a third Mason Branch rises in southeast Swain County on Una Mountain and flows southwest into Yalaka Creek.

Mason Creek rises in west central Transylvania County and flows southeast into Cherryfield Creek.

Mason Inlet, northeast New Hanover County, between Moore Inlet on the south and Rich Inlet on the north. The waters of Topsail Sound enter the Atlantic Ocean through this inlet. Appears as Barren Inlet on the Mosely map of 1733 and on other maps as late as 1909, as Queens Inlet 1906-1936.

Mason Knob, north Cherokee County.

Mason Mountain, north Macon County between Mason Branch and Cowee Creek.

A second Mason Mountain in east Macon County between Lyle Knob and Fed Gap.

Masons Cross, crossroads community in south Scotland County.

Masontown, community in northeast Carteret County on Nelson Bay between the mouths of Broad and Salter Creeks.

Produced by the public relations committee of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Masons in North Carolina,
2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27628 MMVIII
Author/editor: Walter J. Klein wklein(at)carolina.rr.com