Mason Potatoes This page first published: Apr 19, 2005 · Updated: Jun 1, 2018 · by CooksInfo. Copyright © 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Mason Potatoes were developed in Philadelphia in 1940 from a Russel Rural potato sport. They were very popular with farmers in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, but fell prey to diseases such as “leaf roll” too easily.