The Mason (Wilton M.) Lodi Memorial Hospital Collection contains clippings pertaining to the activities of Lodi (Calif.) physician, Dr. Mason (1894-1914). It also contains narrative information about Lodi's first hospital, Mason Memorial, as well as correspondence, minutes, budgets, reports and a narrative history pertaining to the establishment of Lodi Memorial Hospital, successor to Mason Memorial.

Dr. Wilton M. Mason (1864-1914) was a native of New York state. Coming with his family from Nebraska to California (1889), Mason graduated from the State Normal School, San Jose and the Eclectic College Medical School, San Francisco. He located in Lodi shortly after being licensed to practice medicine (1894). With two of his brothers, Herschel and Lewis, he started the Mason Fruit Co., which manufactured ice and packed and shipped grapes and other fruit to eastern markets. Dr. Mason acquired the first automobile in San Joaquin County (1900). Although not the first physician in town, Mason was a particularly popular and successful doctor and was much mourned when he died of an aneurism at age forty-nine.

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Collection is open for research by appointment only.