George Masa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Masa
|
|
|---|---|
Masa c. 1933
|
|
| Born |
Masahara Izuka
c. 1881 |
| Died | June 21, 1933 (aged 51–52) |
| Burial place | Riverside Cemetery (Asheville, North Carolina) |
| Occupation | Businessman Photographer |
George Masa (born Masahara Izuka around 1881) was a talented photographer and businessman. He was born in Osaka, Japan. George Masa moved to the United States and became famous for his amazing pictures of nature. He worked hard to protect the beautiful mountains he loved.
Contents
Starting a New Life in America
George Masa came to the United States in 1901. In 1915, he found his home in Asheville, North Carolina. He lived there for 18 years until he passed away.
He first worked at the Grove Park Inn as a bellhop. A bellhop helps guests with their bags. In 1919, he became a photographer. He even started his own business, Plateau Studio. This studio is still open today! Many important families, like the Vanderbilts, hired him to take their pictures.
Protecting the Great Smoky Mountains
Masa loved the mountains of Western North Carolina very much. He worked tirelessly to protect them. He often spent his own money to help save these natural places.
He used his cameras to take many photos of the mountains. He even made a special tool from an old bicycle. This tool helped him measure distances. He carefully wrote down the names of peaks and how far apart they were. He learned names from local settlers and the Cherokee people.
George Masa was good friends with Horace Kephart. Together, they worked to make a large part of the Great Smoky Mountains a national park. This helped protect the land for everyone. Masa also explored and marked the entire Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.
His Legacy and Remembrance
George Masa died in 1933 from the influenza (flu). He wanted to be buried next to his friend Kephart. But his hiking club could not afford to move him. So, he was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Asheville.
One year after Masa's death, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially created. This was a big part of his dream.
In 1961, a mountain peak was named after him. It is called Masa Knob. It is 5,685 feet tall. This peak is right next to Mount Kephart, named after his friend. This shows how important his work was.
Images for kids
-
Masa c. 1933
-
A special marker for George Masa was put up in 2022.
-
A historic marker in Asheville, North Carolina, honors George Masa.
