Claude Shannon Walking Tour - Gaylord, Michigan
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Description
Explore downtown Gaylord and see the places mentioned in the book "A Mind At Play" by Soni & 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. Gaylord Hospital 1927 - 1936
Where was Claude Shannon, Jr. born? Gaylord or Petoskey?When Claude was born in 1916, Gaylord did not have a hospital. Mrs., Shannon chose to travel to nearby Petoskey where she could receive medical care at a hospital. She had gone there six years earlier when Catherine was born in 1910.So, Claude was technically born in Petoskey, but the family never lived there.
6. Gaylord Public School 1898-1952
This is the school that Claude attended and where his mother taught. It was located 5 blocks south of the Shannon's home.Claude graduated in 1932 at the age of 16.Mabel Wolf Shannon taught foreign languages, was the principal for a few years, and was the coach of the first girls' basketball team in 1904.The school building is gone and replaced with tennis courts. The former school gymnasium, built during the Great Depression, is now the Otsego County Community Recreation Center.
7. Site of the Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Church was located here from 1898 until 1966. The building was sold after the congregation moved to its new church one block to the east.The building was destroyed by fire in 2008.
8. 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.
9. 1913 Post Office
This building was constructed in 1913 by Claude Shannon, Sr. using field stones from area farms. His son, Claude Jr., was a noted engineer - mathematician whose research is the basis for the digital age. Claude Jr.'s statue is located at 126 W. Main Street in Shannon Park.This building was originally the Gaylord Post Office and served in that capacity until 1954.The second floor was the insurance and real estate office of J. P. Hamilton who served as the city's first mayor.Later, for many years, the building was the home of Glasser Real Estate. Recent building occupants include Diana’s Emporium, D&S Custom Art Work, SunFrog Shirts, and Koulka clothing store. 45th Parallel clothing store opened at this location in 2021..
10. Otsego County Courthouse
The brick courthouse in downtown Gaylord was built in 1891. The land was donated by Orlando M. Barnes, secretary of the railroad company. However, if the property was no longer used for county purposes, it would revert to Mr. Barnes or his heirs. Seventy-six years later, the brick building was torn down and replaced in 1967 with the City/County Building.Claude's father, Claude Shannon, Sr., was the Otsego County Probate Judge for 12 years. His office and courtroom were in this building.Band concerts were held on the courthouse lawn. Claude jr. was in the Gaylord City Band and played the E flat alto horn.
11. Otsego County History Museum
The Claude Shannon exhibit is a permanent display at the Otsego County History Museum in downtown Gaylord. Items currently featured include: photos of Claude's 1932 Gaylord High School graduation class, GHS diploma, statue at Shannon Park on Main Street, his parents Claude, Sr. and Mabel Wolf Shannon.A replica of the barbed-wire telegraph system reminds the views of the one he and his friend Rodney Hutchins put together which connected their house 4 blocks apart. Claude's love of juggling and riding a unicycle are also represented in the museum exhibit. There is also a mention of Tommy Tropic's juggling program named in Claude Shannon's honor. This youth-oriented fun event helps connect the past with the present.To remind the museum guest of Shannon's important role that he played in creating the Digital Age, several examples of everyday technology are featured. these include a computer disc, cell phone, digital camera, and lap top computer.
