Company History

The history of Mason Memorial Studio dates back to 1877. In that year, Henry A. Mason, a Lithopolis, Ohio youth moved to Columbus and opened a shop to make monuments.

The business grew steadily and in time his brother, Herbert A. Mason, joined him. Mason Memorial Studio first opened its doors for business in a small building on Main Street in downtown Columbus. The company moved to quarters on State Street, then to S. High Street, and finally in 1915 to a new building on Mound Street, which was to remain its home until 1977.

Success in those early years gave Henry Mason an opportunity to follow an interest in politics. He served as a County Commissioner for two terms near the turn of the century. Interestingly, it was this building program by the then present county commissioners which drove the company from its longtime home when the building was appropriated and torn down in 1977 to make room for the county building parking complex. At that time, a new modern building at 940 South Front was built and is where the company is open for business today.

In the early 1920's, ill health began to limit the activities of Henry Mason and he turned to his son-in-law, Carl G. Faehnle, for help. Carl G. had graduated from Ohio State University a decade earlier as a civil engineer and was happy with his profession, but Henry Mason was a good salesman and convinced his son-in-law that the monument business held a great future for him. Eventually Carl G's son Carl J. entered the family business and became Vice President and later President. Another son, Gene, also entered the business. He had extraordinary design talent. A third generation of Faehnle's, Carl J. Jr., the son of Carl J. eventually took over the day-to-day operations of the company and held this position until in 1997.

The company over the years has prided itself with a national reputation for monument design. In addition, the company was a founding member of the American Institute of Creative Arts (AICA), whose main focus is the continuation of excellence in design.

Mason Memorial Studio has made memorials for local celebrities, such as Woody Hayes, the great Ohio State Football coach, and the Clark Gable memorial which stands at the famous actor's birthplace. It has also designed memorials for the Muirfield Village Golf Club's celebrity tournament players, including All-American football player, Chic Harley.

Today the company continues to take pride in creative design, using the most beautiful granite selected from around the world. Providing excellent customer service has always been a trademark of Mason Memorial Studio. The original vision of Henry and Herbert Mason continues with over one hundred years of quality service and outstanding products.