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Description
William Mason was born on December 21st, 1921, and moved from Los Angeles to Mill Valley in 1956 to be closer to his work as a seaman for the Standard Oil Company in Richmond. He still lives at 1 Cottage Avenue (West Blithedale), in a house built by Sidney B. Cushing, the son of Blithedale Hotel owner Dr. John S. Cushing. William lived an eventful life, first serving as a sailor, then, after having completed his studies at UCLA, as chief mate on different vessels. Like his brother Samuel Mason he was also an avid aviator, and worked as a flight instructor during WWII. He later bought his own biplane, and has traveled all over the world on his own and with his family. William recounts his memories of Mill Valley in the 1950s, particularly the downtown shopping experience and its change from sleepy town to vibrant hippie meeting place to the tourist territory of today. William never lost his passion for traveling, and embarked on several freighter trips to Europe and Russia after he retired. He enjoys his historic house painting watercolors and reading books on Russian civilization.
Identifier
527DA3F9-AA92-4812-9C85-110888988686 2015.044.001
Subject
1 College Avenue Bennett's five-and-dime Blithedale Hotel Cushing, Dr. John S Cushing, Eleanor Cushing, Sidney B Maguire, Edna Mason, Clara Breard Mason, Elizabeth Mason, Homer Mason, Samuel Homer Mill Valley in the 1950s Mill Valley nature Mill Valley shopping Mill Valley stores MV history - Baby boom years (1950s and early 1960s) Nelson Family Old Mill School Pirinjian, Misak Schellville airport Standard Oil Company Svensen, Agafena Willamena West Blithedale Avenue
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