Claude Shannon Walking Tour - downtown Gaylord, Michigan
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Description
This private walking tour highlights items mentioned in Chapter 1 of "A Mind At Play" by Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman
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1. Claude Shannon Statue and Park
Claude Shannon, Jr. was born on April 30, 1916. He lived in Gaylord, Michigan until he graduated from Gaylord High School in 1932. His academic and research achievements in the fields of mathematics and electrical engineering earned him the title "Father of Information Theory". Shannon is credited for laying the groundwork for many digital and technological advancements that are widely enjoyed today.
2. Former site of C. E. Shannon Furniture Store
Claude Shannon, Sr. owned and operated a furniture store which included funeral or undertaking services. That may seem like an odd combination to us today, but it was common practice in the early 1900s when this business was functioning. The building burned in 1914. Shannon chose to construct a new building located on the north side of Main Street. He used field stone from local farmers for the building material of the three story structure.
3. Claude Shannon's childhood home
This is the home of Claude Shannon when he lived in Gaylord from 1916 until 1932.Other members of the family:His father, Claude Shannon, Sr. (1862-1934), a local businessman and Probate Court JudgeHis mother, Mabel Wolf Shannon (1880-1945), a teacher and at one time high school principalHis sister, Catherine, (1910-2008) who was an award winning pianist.The house was sold in 1946 following Mabel's death the prior year.
4. Home of Rodney Hutchins
Claude's boyhood friend, Rodney Hutchins, lived 4 blocks to the southeast of the Shannon's house. The 2 boys rigged up a telegraph line using barbed-wire between the 2 houses. Rodney's sister, Shirley, described several other inventions and experiments the young adventurists concocted during their youth.
5. Library on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building
Chapter 1 Gaylord of "A Mind At Play" begins with a cryptogram from "The Gold Bug" by Edgar Allan Poe. This was Claude's favorite story written by Poe. Most likely, Claude would have read this book at the public library on South Court Avenue.This building's auditorium, which could seat around 500 people, is where high school graduation ceremonies were conducted in the early 1900s. It was also the venue for his sister's many piano concerts as well as community plays which often featured his mother.The Municipal Building was constructed in 1912. In addition to the auditorium and library, it housed various city offices as well as the volunteer fire department. The building was razed in 1967 when the City/County Building was built across the street.
