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Is Michigan’s ‘Boy Governor’ actually buried in Capitol Park?

Stevens T. Mason Monument at Capitol Park (WDIV)

Before Lansing was chosen as Michigan’s capital, our Capitol Building used to stand in Detroit, roughly where State Street and Grand River Avenue meet Griswold Street.

The area is now home to Capitol Park, a small triangle of land that’s been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999, as are nearly every building surrounding it. It currently features a dog park, a large “WE (heart) DET” sign, picnic tables and a statue of Stevens T. Mason, also known as the “Boy Governor.”

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This weekend marks 182 years since Mason died.

The Boy Governor who helped Michigan become a state

At the age of 19, Mason was appointed by President Andrew Jackson to be the territorial secretary of the Michigan Territory. The Michigan Territory governor, Lewis Cass, was appointed to be Jackson’s Secretary of War, and Mason became the acting governor.

Just for a second, I want you to think about the person you were at 19.

During Mason’s tenure, the Michigan Territory entered a border dispute with Ohio, specifically over the ownership of Toledo.

It was a complicated and messy affair that didn’t end well for Michigan in the short term but was awesome for us long-term. We became a state and were given the Upper Peninsula, which Michiganders thought was a terrible compromise at the time. They were wrong.

Upper Peninsula > Toledo Zoo. Fact.

Tahquamenon Falls, 2018 (© 2018 State of Michigan)

Mason was elected as Michigan’s first state governor at the age of 23. He took office at the age of 24. Mason is still the youngest state governor in American history.

Just for a second, I want you to think about the person you were at 24.

After a few financial disasters and getting somewhat involved in a failed attempt at annexing parts of Ontario, Mason decided not to take part in the 1839 Gubernatorial election. He left Michigan for New York City, where he attempted to start a private law practice.

He caught a cold and died shortly after. He was 31 years old. Mason’s remains were buried in Manhattan, where they stayed for more than 60 years.

Over that period of time, the Michigan State Capitol moved to Lansing and the original capitol building in Detroit was turned into a schoolhouse that was lost in a fire.

The area where the original capitol building has remained a public space since the 1893 fire.

Is the Boy Governor actually buried in Capitol Park?

Mason’s remains were relocated to Detroit in 1905. Several old cannons that used to be housed at Fort Michilimackinac were melted down to make a statue of Mason.

The Stevens T. Mason Monument in Capitol Park was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1908. Thousands of people attended.

For the most part, Mason’s remains have been untouched at Capitol Park, except when his resting place has moved as the city modernized the area. He was briefly moved to temporary storage during a 1955 renovation of the park and his remains were moved (along with the statue) during a 2010 renovation.

Stevens T. Mason Monument at Capitol Park (WDIV)

About the Author
Dane Kelly headshot

Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.

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