In 1839, John Mason, "The Hermit Of Blue Hill", built a tower leaning out over the Susquehanna River overlooking Northumberland Pa. The tower was built "near the spot one sees Shikellamy, about where the top of the forehead would be seen"
It sounds like a legend, especially when you add in the details of Mason's life, his skating trips to Williamsport, and tales of him walking everywhere under an umbrella, even when it wasn't raining. However, the leaning tower really did once exist. It's mentioned in numerous accounts from stage coach trips, rafting memoirs, newspapers, and in the book Daily Stories of Pennsylvania History, by Frederick Godcharles.
I am uncertain what publication the photo at the top of this page came from, but it appears very similar to a modern, in color, sketch by Michael Roush, that I have seen on facebook.
The second sketch, below, is a very grainy scan. It is an earlier drawing, showing a much more simple design, and is likely the more accurate.
This is a very pixelated scan of the sketch, but I believe the tower is high on the far right, a little almost box like structure on the hill.
The observatory was 16 feet by 18 feet, two stories high, built in an octagonal shape. Two holes were drilled into the rocks, iron bars were inserted in, and the house was build around them. It leaned at an angle of about 22 degrees. "The roof was flat, and there was a railing around it for protection of those who had courage to go upon it and look down the frightful precipice. "
Note - some descriptions say 22 degrees, others say 75 degrees.
75 degrees seems more likely
"..and old John Mason's leaning tower or house on the very verge of the high precipitous cliff or mountain on the south shore of the West Branch still threatens to topple over at any moment. I well remember with what wonder and amazement I viewed it; astonished at the marvelous skill and daring require to construct it in that frightful position. When I have watched it intently while a storm was raging and the clouds flew rapidly by, to my youthful eyed it seemed to move and tremble, and I surely expected to see it come flying into town." Rafting 50 Years Ago, By A.J. McCall, 1888.
Below I have included all of the various articles and mentions I could find of Jon Mason and his leaning tower, but I have started with one good overview, told by Frederick Godcharles in his Daily Stories Of Pennsylvania History.
When the story ran in the Miltonian, Godcharles included the following introduction:
"How well the editor remembers when a boy, visiting his grandfather, then in business at the old weigh lock, where the canal emptied into the old Susquehanna at Northumberland, of the interesting tales related about John Mason arid his leaning tower. It often seemed, m imagination, that one could see this old curiosity and its eccentric owner, but it was for those older to know in reality of this interesting man his more interesting home."
Eccentric John Mason's Leaning Tower on
Blue Hill Destroyed April 22, 1864
From Daily Stories Of Pennsylvania History
By Frederick Godcharles
TRAVELERS up and down both branches of the Susquehanna River years ago will well remember the leaning tower high up on Blue Hill, opposite Northumberland. This peculiar building hung over a precipice and viewed from the river level, looked as if a breath of air would topple it to the rocks below. It was built by John Mason, who owned a farm of ninety acres of land on the hill, and who, from his eccentricities, came to be known as the "Hermit of Blue Hill."
The tower, which was built as an observatory, was about sixteen by eighteen feet, two stories in height and of octagonal shape. It leaned at an angle of about twenty-two degrees and for safety was clamped to the rock upon which it was built with strong iron rods. The roof was flat, and there was a railing around it for protection of those who had courage to go upon it and look down the frightful precipice.
The view from the roof of "John Mason's Leaning Tower," as it was called, was one of superlative grandeur. Both the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna, as well as the main stream below their confluence, the majestic hills and pretty towns of Northumberland and Sunbury could all be taken in one panoramic view. Blue Hill at this point is 301 feet in height, as determined by the engineers who laid out the railroad in after years.
The leaning tower was built very near the spot one now sees, in seeking the profile of old "Shikellamy," which would be located about where the top of the forehead would be seen. The tower was almost destroyed by visitors who cut their initials upon everything of wood, until it was entirely covered by these characters.
John Mason built this odd-looking house in 1839. William Henry did the carpenter work. It stood there until the spring of 1864 — a period of twenty-five years — when, on a Sunday afternoon, April 22, it was destroyed by a party of railroad men in a spirit of deviltry. They loosened its moorings and the curious tower rolled down the rocky precipice with a tremendous crash and landed on a raft of logs passing down stream.
Its destruction removed one of the oddest, as well as one of the most conspicuous, landmarks along the Susquehanna River.
There are several stories related of John Mason's eccentricities and the motives which induced him to erect this leaning tower.
About the time the vandals destroyed the tower a most interesting novel was written entitled "Eros and Antiros," which story was woven about this scene and its unusual builder. In fact, John Mason was the hero of the story. The author, being a personal acquaintance, may have written from a knowledge of the facts.
In the story John Mason had been disappointed in a love affair and sought this manner to remove himself from the busier world and to live and die in seclusion.
Another version of the eccentric John Mason's leaning tower is that it was his eyrie, where he gathered together a rare collection of queer old English books — they sold at 75 cents the bushel-basketful at his sale — and here he slung his hammock and here he read his books.
That story says John Mason's father was a Quaker, living in Philadelphia, an old acquaintance of James Jenkins, Jr., at Turtle Creek, opposite the town of Northumberland, at the base of Blue Hill, who said to him one day, speaking of his son John, that he was a restless fellow and wanted to go to sea, and that it would be the death of his mother.
"Can't thee take him out with thee?" Jenkins replied that it was a wild place and not likely to suit the taste of one who wanted to go sea-faring.
But John Mason did go up into the wilderness, engaged in the mercantile business for a time at Northumberland, then moved his stock of merchandise to the western side of the river and opened a store at Turtle Creek.
John Mason never recognized or became intimate with women. One evening at the Jenkins home. Mason came in as was his custom from the store, about 9 o'clock, and seated himself by the ample fireplace to read a book. There was a number of young people in the room, who were playing pawns and forfeits. One pretty girl was condemned in a whisper, to kiss John Mason. He was apparently paying no attention to the others, but, as she slyly approached within reaching distance, he raised the tongs between them, saying, "Not one step nearer."
Jenkins and he went alternately to Philadelphia to buy goods. Mason always walked there and back. He lived to an extreme age and was buried on his hill-top.
So much for that story. It is generally accepted that John Mason was of English origin, born in Philadelphia, December 7, 1768, and died on the farm of Colonel Meens above the present city of April 25, 1849.
During his life at the Blue Hill home, it is told of him that he was a sterling athlete, and could skate to Harrisburg in half a day; that he often walked to Williamsport, always carrying an old umbrella. His eccentricities were much talked about in his day.
During the winter following his death his remains were removed by friends, on a sled and carried to the scene of his hermit life, and buried under the wide spreading branches of a chestnut tree a few yards in the rear of his leaning tower, A neat marble tombstone, properly inscribed, was erected to mark the place of his burial.
This grave has long since been so trampled upon by curious visitors, that it was entirely obliterated many years ago. Relic hunters so defaced the stone that it was removed to a neighboring farm house for preservation. This is all that remains by which to remember John Mason, "The Hermit of Blue Hill," the builder of the ''Leaning Tower."
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The following article was contributed to this issue by M. J. D. Withington.
JOHN MASON
For a man so closely identified in much that ha? made Blue Hill historical, very little has been said or published in regard to him, who could with propriety be called its founder.
John Mason was born in Philadelphia, and was of a respectable family. His father was a sea captain, and well to do. He had just built a new vessel which was' about ready sail, and to be placed in charge of John and his brother Robert John had no taste for sailor's life, and when the vessel was about ready to sail he disappeared, and we have no account of him until he turned up in Northumberland.
After he was here for some time he formed a partnership with James Jenkins and opened a store in what was then a story and a half brick building on the corner where Mr. Elliott's residence now stands. The partnership did not last long; they divided their stock. and Mr. Mason had his interest moved on upper Queen street in what is known as the Logue house. Store-keeping not suiting his taste he was only a short time in the business.
He purchased from the Hunter girls one hundred and thirteen acres of land on Blue Hill, and subsequently' bought the face of the hill from William Hoffman and Henry Masser; afterwards purchasing a farm at Long Reach, a few miles above Williamsport.
It was on one of his annual visits to Long Reach that he took sick and died. His remains were buried on Blue Hill, . a short distance from the Leaning Tower. Appropriate marble head and foot stones marked his resting place until a spirit of vandalism broke and destroyed almost their identification. This vandalism can only be attributed to the barbarity of the relic hunter, for Mr. Hunter had no enemies.
As I recollect Mr. Mason, he was a man that weighed about one hundred and fifty pounds, and stood about five feet eight inches high. In season he wore a brown overcoat that came down to his heels, and carried a walking stick nearly as long as himself, holding it above 'the centre. His manners were as modest and retiring as a maiden's.
He seldom came to town; only when he desired to make some purchases. There were only two places I ever knew him to stop at when in town; one was at the store of William Forsyth. Mr. Mason and Mr. Forsyth were congenial friends and enjoyed a social chat. The other stop ping place was at the store of Messrs. Brautigam and Waples, who occupied the stone building now used by Mr. E. Straub for a flour and feed store. Mr. Brautigam was also originally from Philadelphia, and if, informed correctly, their families were acquainted with each other.
Mr. Mason was a man of literary tastes, but with all was quite eccentric. When making a trip to Philadelphia he would go on horseback, but would lead the horse almost the entire distance ; seemingly the horse was taken along more for company than utility. Mr. Mason was an active man, and very agile on foot. The path or rather switchback he constructed to ascend or descend the face of the hill was a dangerous one, and I doubt whether anyone but himself ever accomplished the feat of passing over it.
He was a graceful skater, and when it was announced that he was on the ice crowds gathered to watch his graceful skating movements.
Blue Hill in my recollection has always been a resort for picnickers and sight-seekers, and among the many thousands who have visited the place very few can say they ever met or saw Mr. Mason. He occupied a story and a half building about thirty yards back from the brow of the hill, and had it so arranged that he could see most of all that was going on, but seldom at home to callers.
On one occasion when away from home the house was entered and some valuables taken out of a desk. In order to prevent a repetition he arranged a battery inside. By lifting the lid the contents would enter the vital parts. He narrowly escaped being the first victim; he lifted the lid of the desk, but fortunately he stood at an angle, or would have been mortally shot ; as it was the waist band of his pants and part of his underclothing were taken by the dis charge.
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"Here you crossed the river at the old West Branch Bridge, you beheld that high promontory called "Blue Hill." The history and traditions which cluster around the old hill are familiar to all. In crossing the river you saw the leaning house build by John Mason in the early history of Pennsylvania. Here you saw the image of Indian Shikellamy staring you in the face..."
Stage Coach Days, Helen V. Kapp 1913 DAR address
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This letter was written by Mason Hutchins to his Uncle John Mason in response to an earlier letter from John Mason. Mason mentions various subjects relating to family matters in Philadelphia. May 15, 1820.
Philadelphia, PA
May 15th, 1820
Dear John,
I have not much to communicate respecting family affairs, having left Vine Street on 22nd ?? in consequence of indisposition and after having confined to my Sister’s house for two weeks, have taken my residence I another part of the city; I will endeavor to see TP [Thomas Paul] and advise him as you direct upon looking over your letters, I am unable to meet with such information respecting the Power of Atty as would be proper for me to ? before calling on Mr. Brown. Mother informs me that S [?] has visited them in Vine St and expressed his determination to bring forward all who can give any information respecting your expression against him; this he said was a duty due his children as he had been publicly spoken of as a thief. She also said that S [?] is much satisfied with the Atty you have employed, who has advised an amicable settlement, and who wrote a long letter to you on the subject. It is my intention only to visit Vine St for the purpose of removing a few articles left there, when if I see EM [Elizabeth Mason] I will request her to mention to T.P, that you have written.
MH
[Mason Hutchins]
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"We looked around for some place to sit down and think over the matter, and not seeing a better or more convenient place set down on the grave of the far-famed John Mason. I say far-famed because he was the man who built the leaning house, and as everyone had heard of the Leaning Tower on Blue Hill, they must of course have a....
Mason must have at one time heard the Bible, and at that part in wherein mentions that a man must built his house upon a rock and not the sand, for he chose a rock about 400 feet above the sands of the river; and such a rock it was too; he could not dig a cellar under the house he however drilled two holed in the foundation and in each of these he fastened an iron rod and then build the house round them. These rods were all that prevented the house from sliding off the foundation and tumbling own the hill; it leaned at an angle of 75 degrees over an almost perpendicular mass of rocks 400 feet high.
Some three or four years ago, a party of raftman who had nothing else to do and had not the fear of the Lord in them went up the hill one Sunday and tumbled the old house down. If the pieces had been gathered up, they would have made very good kindling without being split." - 1873 letter to the editor of the Public Press, about a picnic on Blue Hill, mentioning the leaning tower and Mason's Grave.
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Around the time John Mason's leaning tower was destroyed by vandals, a novel was written. The author was an acquaintance of John Mason. The Novel is "Eros and Anteros:Or The Bachelors Ward." written in 1857 by Judith Canute, the pen name for Juliet Hamersley Lewis. The novel is rumored to be in part based on the life of John Mason. The description of the main characters home is identical to the real life description of John Mason's house on Blue Hill.
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"..and old John Mason's leaning tower or house on the very verge of the high precipitous cliff or mountain on the south shore of the West Branch still threatens to topple over at any moment. I well remember with what wonder and amazement I viewed it; astonished at the marvelous skill and daring require to construct it in that frightful position. When I have watched it intently while a storm was raging and the clouds flew rapidly by, to my youthful eyed it seemed to move and tremble, and I surely expected to see it come flying into town." Rafting 50 Years Ago, By A.J. McCall, 1888.
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Public Press, 1891
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From Turbut Township Men Of Note in 1772
"Mason John.
Johnny Mason as he used to be called in my boyhood days at Northumberland was an eccentric old bachelor. He had a handsome farm and dwelling house on the famous 'Blue Hill' opposite the town of Northumberland. He had a summer house of observation built close along the edge of this hill fronting Northumberland and so built as to make it look as if it leaned toward town and would fall over but it stood solid. Mason was born at Philadelphia in 1768 and died on his Lang Reach farm near Newbury, Lycoming county in 1843 age upwards of 80 years and his remains He buried under a chestnut tree near his Blue Hill leaning summer house, or rather where it used to stand as it is gone now I believe. "
Note - Turbut Township once extended from Fort Augusta to the Muncy Hills.
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1873 letter to the editor about a picnic on Blue Hill, mentioning the leaning tower and Mason's Grave.
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