Leadership Otsego County 2022
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Description
Guided walking tour of historic sites in downtown Gaylord, Michigan
1. 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.
2. Mary's Tavern / Mary's Stein Haus
Mary (Kwapis) Luzenski opened Mary's Tavern in 1933. Her sons, Bob and Leonard "Ike", purchased the business in 1947. Kat Steinbrecher bought the bar in 2010 and renamed it Mary's Stein Haus.
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3. Gaylord Car
The only known Gaylord Car to exist is on display at the Gaylord Visitor Center.Additional information about the Gaylord Motor Car Corporation can be found at the Otsego County History Museum which is located across the street from the Visitor Center.The idea for a car company in Gaylord came in the spring months of 1910. At the time Gaylord had been a city for little more than 35 years and was both a center between logging camps and a stop on the Michigan Central Railway. A. B. C. Comstock who was a local businessman and banker knew that the logging boom was coming to and end and there needed to be sustainable new industry going forward. Detroit machinist Guy Hamilton had come to Gaylord on a fishing trip and shortly after he had gotten off the train, he and Comstock met over a cup of coffee in a cafe perhaps by fate. The two men discussed the possibility of bringing a automobile factory to Gaylord that would go on to sell not only automobiles but also a "utility" type vehicle aimed at farming needs and the ability to navigate the rough terrain in Northern Michigan. Hamilton had already been working with automobiles since at least 1903 and was considered a very capable man to design a car. The two men agreed to pursue the idea and assembled other local businessmen to form a committee. The idea was well received and soon after the Gaylord Motor Car Company was born. About 350 total vehicles were built during the existence of the company but they ultimately went out of business in 1913 because of a variety of reasons including the incredibly low price of the Model T.
4. Buck and Bolton Potato Warehouse
Potatoes were an important agricultural export product for Otsego County for much of the early and mid 1900s. Several potato warehouses were located along the Michigan Central Railroad in downtown Gaylord. Potatoes were harvested in the fall and then stored in warehouses until they were sorted, bagged, and shipped during the winter.Sanford Buck's residence was on the northwest corner of N. Center and Mitchell. Earl Bolton's house is now the Nelson Funeral Home on North Center Avenue. Both homes are featured on this walking tour.
5. Glen's Market now Crossroads Business Services
C. Glen Catt opened his first grocery store here in 1951 when he leased the former/vacant Vincent's grocery store west of the railroad tracks. A few years later, he built a new and larger store to the immediate west of the existing market. Glen's Market relocated to the present location of Family Fair near the I-75 exit 282 in 1967.The original building was later used for Saginaw Savings and Loan, 3 Brothers Department Store, and Brothers' Tea & Coffee. Today it is the . Crossroads Business Services center.
6. Trail Head former site of Gaylord Lumber
The site of today's Iron Belle trail head on the east side of the railroad tracks was originally occupied by Gaylord Lumber & Fuel. Other businesses once located here include Papa's Bakery and Ellsworth Farmers Exchange.
7. A & P now Isabella's Copper Pot
This building was constructed in the mid-1950s by Gocha. the A&P grocery store had been located on Main Street where the Alpine Chocolat Haus is today.After the A&P closed, the building was used for an IGA grocery store, Couture's Flooring, and a paint store.
8. St. Mary Church now Mt. Carmel Centre
This red brick building was the second St. Mary Church on this site. it was constructed in 1900-1901. It became St. Mary Cathedral in 1971 when the Gaylord Diocese was created. A new cathedral was built on North Ohio Avenue in 1976 and this building was transformed to the Mt. Carmel Centre in 1985.
9. former site of Nelson Funeral Home
Chuck Nelson purchased the Floyd Brown home in 1965 and converted it into the Nelson Funeral Home. In 1974, the Nelsons bought the Walker-Bates Funeral Home on North Center Avenue and operated both locations until 1977 when the two businesses were consolidated.
10. Former home of A.B.C. Comstock
A.B.C. Comstock was active in several Gaylord businesses in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These included the hardware store that later became Audrain Hardware and is now CRAVE restaurant, Otsego County Bank, and the Gaylord Motor Car Company.
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11. J. M. Brodie House
The J. M. Brodie house is located at 207 North Center Avenue. It was built in 1880. The home is a Spindlework Queen Anne style home. It is a two-story home with a wraparound porch and wide plank wood siding. The roof has a gable front and wings along with asphalt shingles.
12. Sanford Buck House
The Buck House at 206 North Center Avenue was built in 1903 and has been sold seven times since it was first inhabited by the family of Sanford Buck. The historic home has been remodeled to include both modern conveniences as well as the needs of commercial tenants. The company Alpine Cardiology is now located in the recently-renovated Buck House.
13. Earl B. Bolton House/Fred & Ella Cook House/Nelson Funeral Home
The Earl B. Bolton House is located at 135 North Center Avenue in Gaylord, Michigan. Earl Bolton was a businessman and prominent citizen in Gaylord. He also brought a piece of history from the Civil War to Gaylord. Today, the house built by Earl Bolton is known as Nelson Funeral Home.
14. James A. Quick House (also known as Charles Saunders House)
This historic Queen Anne-style home was completed in 1901 and home to the influential business and political leader James Quick from 1901 until his death in 1909. The house has had several owners after James Quick, including Lottie Quick, Harry Knapp, William Housen, and Charles Saunders, who also owned businesses in Gaylord. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
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15. 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.
16. The Farrar Block later Schreur's then Wernig's Chevrolet car dealership
This is the 5th of the 10 plaques placed on historical buildings in downtown Gaylord by the local Rotary Club.
17. Gaylord State Bank now Fifth Third Bank
One of the first buildings in downtown Gaylord to adopt the Alpine motif. Bank president, Harold Elgas, played a key role in many aspects of community and economic development. The one-story bank building was constructed in 1964. The three-story tower was added in 1981.
18. United Methodist Church
Former site of the James Hazard residence and then Frank Shipp. which occupied this entire block on South Center Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets. The home was demolished and the First United Methodist Church was built on this property in 1966.
19. 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.
20. GHS Gymnasium now Community Center
This field-stone gymnasium was built during the Great Depression and was later converted into the Otsego County Community Center.
21. former residence of Dr. Nathan Parmater
Nathan Parmater was a Civil War veteran and one of the first medical doctors in Otsego County.
22. Little Village
Constructed in 1974, these 8 units of 4 apartments each provide independent living opportunities for older or disabled citizens.
23. Historic Home - C. C. Mitchell
Chester C. Mitchell was the county's first sheriff -- appointed to that position when the person elected in 1875, Samuel Livingston, failed to qualify.When Otsego County was established in 1875, the temporary county seat was Otsego Lake Village. An election to determine the permanent location was held the following year. However, it would take the State Supreme Court to determine the final outcome in the spring of 1877. The village of Gaylord was selected. Until a courthouse could be constructed in Gaylord, county business and the board of commissioners meetings were held on the second floor of Mr. Mitchell's home.
24. 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.
25. Congregational Church
The oldest church in Otsego County.See historical marker for details.
26. former site of Otsego County Fire Department - Sears - now Alpine Tavern & Eatery
The building was originally a Studebaker automobile dealership. Later, it was the fire hall, Sears catalog showroom, Interior Designs, and now the Alpine Tavern & Eatery.
27. Moorhead Ford and then later Gaylord Ford
Ford automobile dealership was on this site prior to Dunn's Business Solution
28. Former site of the Bagley Township Hall
Former site of the Bagley Township Hall.Now a parking lot and public restrooms
29. Pavilion on Court
Covered special events center built by the City of Gaylord in 2001
30. 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.
31. 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..
32. Audrain Hardware
This is the 7th of ten history markers presented by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.This building was a hardware store from the late 1800s until 1999. Today (2022) it is a restaurant named CRAVE with a yoga and dance studio located in the back of the building.
33. Kramer's Busy Big Store
This is the 8th in a series of ten plaques placed on historical buildings by the Rotary Club of Gaylord
34. Sugar Bowl
This is the 9th of ten plaques placed on historic building by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.
35. 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.
36. Cannon on the courthouse lawn
This cannon was from the Civil War battleship "The Hartford" under the command of Admiral David Farragut.A landmark of downtown Gaylord, the cannon has been on the courthouse lawn since 1905.
37. The Rendezvous now Timothy's Pub
Long-time favorite bar and restaurant in downtown Gaylord.
38. Gaylord State Bank
This is the 10th of the ten plaques placed on historical buildings by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.
