Claude Shannon Park is coincidently located on the very site of a furniture store that his father constructed in 1915. When the building was razed in the 1990s, the vacant space was converted to a pocket park.The bust of Claude Shannon - the first of six statues nationwide - was unveiled in his home town on October 6, 2000. Each is identical except for the formula held in Claude's left hand. The location of the other statues are at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bell Labs, ATT Shannon Labs, University of California at San Diego, and the University of Michigan. Funding for the statues was provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (I.E.E.E.).

Statue of Claude Shannon presented to the people of Gaylord by the I.E.E.E. in 2000.

Notice the formula in Claude's left hand.  Each is unique for the six statues.

The furniture store built by Claude's father, Claude Shannon, Sr., on this site in 1915

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.

Claude Shannon Statue and Park

Guided walking tour of historic sites in downtown Gaylord, Michigan

Since 1992, the museum has been the center of Otsego County history and offers permanent exhibits honoring the lumbering &amp; railroad era, agriculture, one-room schools and Gaylord's native son Claude Shannon. Volunteer docentsare available to provide information about the two galleries and there is also a gift shop which is stocked with local history books such as "Early Times of Otsego County, Michigan" "Otsego County Women In History", "Places of Our Past", and Waters, Michigan: The Town With The Bottle Fence."Visitors to the museum will also learn that when the building was constructed in 1911, it was originally a cigar factory. Later it was a pool hall called Merry's Recreation. In the early 1960s, Gordon and Marlene Everett purchased the building for their businesses The Northern Star and subsequently Northern Office Supply. This is the first of 10 history markers presented by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.The building was constructed in 1911 by Charles L. Merry for his cigar factory and store. His son, Earl, later converted the building to a pool hall.Gordon and Marlene Everett, whose shopper guide business, The Northern Star, was in the building to west, purchased this property in 1964. They added the room on the north end for a large printing press. When their business outgrew this building, they relocated to a new, larger location. The front of the building was then used for an office supply store.When the Otsego County Historical Society expressed an interest in establishing a museum in downtown Gaylord, the Everett family made the nonprofit group a generous offer for their now-vacant storefront. The museum opened in the spring of 1992 and held its mortgage burning ceremony five years later.

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.

Otsego County History Museum

This is the second of ten historical plaques in downtown Gaylord which were presented by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017. Each marker provides a brief overview of the building, its owners, and former businesses which once occupied the space.This building was constructed in 1907 by Stanley and Antonia Kwapis. It was a grocery store until the 1930s when it was closed during the Great Depression. In 1933, the Kwapis' daughter, Mary Luzenski re-opened the building as a bar named Mary's Tavern. She later sold the business to her sons Bob and Leonard "Ike" in 1947.In 2010, the bar was purchased by Kat Steinbrecher and renamed Mary's Stein Haus. It is one of the longest running businesses is Gaylord. During the Covid-19 pandemic temporary shut down, the front entrance as well as the alley entrance received a major remodeling featuring a stone facade.

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.

Mary's Tavern / Mary's Stein Haus

The idea for the Gaylord Motor Car Company came from a chance meeting between Detroit machinist Guy Hamilton and local businessman A.B.C. Comstock. Gaylord, MI had been looking for an industry to replace the dying lumber business and both men agreed that the city could become the “new Detroit”.Hamilton had worked in both the coin-operated business and in the automotive business in varying roles including chief engineer for Demotcar in Detroit prior to coming to Gaylord. His vision was to produce a “utility” vehicle which was a passenger car but could become a vehicle to haul things for the local farmer by removing the back seat.In May of 1910 the company was formally incorporated and a site was selected for a factory. By the end of August vehicle production had begun and the future looked bright. The Gaylord was featured at the New York Auto Show on New Year’s Eve along with several other Michigan manufacturers. Reviews were excellent as the functionality of the vehicle made it unlike anything else at the show.Business seemed to be moving along but by 1913 a combination of lower priced vehicles like the Model “T” and other factors drove the company into bankruptcy. In 1915 the company’s assets were sold and in 1919 the company officially dissolved. Guy Hamilton went on to be involved in several other automobile and truck companies including the Alter Motor Company in Plymouth, MI, the Hamilton Motors Company in Grand haven, MI, and Bollstrom Motors in St. Louis, MI.

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.

Gaylord Car

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.

Buck and Bolton Potato Warehouse

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 &amp; Coffee. Today it is the . Crossroads Business Services center.

Glen's Market now Crossroads Business Services

The site of today's Iron Belle trail head on the east side of the railroad tracks was originally occupied by Gaylord Lumber &amp; Fuel. Other businesses once located here include Papa's Bakery and Ellsworth Farmers Exchange.

Trail Head former site of Gaylord Lumber

This building was constructed in the mid-1950s by Gocha. the A&amp;P grocery store had been located on Main Street where the Alpine Chocolat Haus is today.After the A&amp;P closed, the building was used for an IGA grocery store, Couture's Flooring, and a paint store.

A & P now Isabella's Copper Pot

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.

St. Mary Church now Mt. Carmel Centre

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.

former site of Nelson Funeral Home

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.

Former home of A.B.C. Comstock

J. M. Brodie was a leading businessman. He relocated to Gaylord in 1881 from Seaforth, Ontario, to manufacture wagons and vehicles. Due to failing health, he had to change his occupation and became a salesman and manager for a carriage house store located in Chicago in 1893 and continued that for six years.. After spending six more years traveling all over the United States as a Sales Manager, he returned to Gaylord to settle down.J. M. Brodie saw the potential of Gaylord and purchased a lot on Main Street and built a storefront in 1904. .His store consisted of clothing, gent's furnishings, shoes, hats, and other items. He purchased the property from R. B. Qua &amp; Son.He also was elected to be the city treasurer in Gaylord.Today, the home has been remodeled. It is still considered a Queen Anne style home but most of the spindlework is now gone from the remodel.

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.

J. M. Brodie House

1903 - Buck house was built and owned by Sanford buck1933 - William and Jennie Wilson purchased the home from the Sisson's1958 - house was sold againThe Architecture:The house had a Spindle work style Queen Anne, with a wraparound porch with turned columns and spindle work. It also has turrets that have been replaced to match with today's features, that is not keeping the old ones. Also the S.W. Buck house is Gaylord’s most intact example of what a Spindle work Queen Anne would be.The house was originally owned and built by Sanford Buck in 1903, then sold on to Floyd Sisson. On April 5th 1933, William and Jennie Wilson bought it and turned it into a partnership. After that the house was sold a few more times, once to Wayne Brown, and once to Tom and Sandy Koch. The home has been renovated 5 times between 1903 and 2015.More about Sanford Buck:1855 - Birth of Sanford W Buck1878 - Birth of Lena Mae Mead (daughter)1882 - Birth of Louis Buck (daughter)1888 - Birth of Carlton S Buck (son)1892 - Birth of Warren W Buck (son)1923 - Death of Sanford BuckSanford Buck had 4 kids and a wife named May Elizabeth Buck. His parents were Nancy M. Buck and Horace M. Buck. Mr. Buck's occupation was a banker. He died on July 16th, 1923.

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.

Sanford Buck House

Earl Bolton, also known as E.B. Bolton, lived at 135 North Center Avenue in Gaylord, Michigan. He moved to Gaylord from southern Michigan in 1882. He married Olivia Puryear four years later and they had one daughter, Hazel.Earl Bolton owned a lot of property in Gaylord, including the E.B. Bolton Hardware Company. He owned two brick stores in one block and a brick store in another block in Gaylord. With Sanford Buck, another resident of Gaylord, he was a member of the firm Buck &amp; Bolton, which was a company of potato buyers. Also with Sanford Buck and Frank Kramer, he helped organize Gaylord State Savings Bank. He was also a part owner in banks in Vanderbilt and Wolverine.In 1900, E.B. Bolton was elected representative in the legislature from the Presque Isle district. This district comprised of the counties of Otsego, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle. He was re-elected to this position in 1902.Earl Bolton secured the Civil War cannon to be put on the lawn of the Otsego County Building and it was a yearlong effort. The cannon was put there on July 4, 1905. The Otsego County Building was formerly called the "Court House."Earl Bolton died in 1913.Drs. Elmer and Ruey Ford lived in the house from 1922-1928 and had their medical offices within their residence for a couple of years.Years later, the house was owned by Fred and Ella Cook, who owned the Cook Department Store.The Cooks sold the house to Howard C. Walker, who owned a furniture store and a funeral home on Main Street. He moved the funeral home to 135 North Center Avenue and then added the brick chapel on the front of the building in 1962.Clark Bates purchased the funeral home in 1966 and it was re-named Walker-Bates Funeral Home.In 1974, the funeral home was purchased by Harry Charles "Chuck" Nelson and Patricia Nelson. It is now known as the 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.

Earl B. Bolton House/Fred & Ella Cook House/Nelson Funeral Home

<h3>LOCATION</h3>The James Quick House (also known as the Charles Saunders House) at 120 North Center Avenue is located on the southeast corner of Center Avenue and Huron Street in Gaylord, Michigan. It is located in a split residential and commercial community. In the first block from Main Street, it is mixed residential.  <h3>OWNERS OF THE HOUSE</h3><ul><li>1901 - James Quick built the house and lived there with his wife, Lottie Quick</li><li>1909 - James Quick died and Lottie Quick continued to live there</li><li>1912 - Lottie Quick sold the house to move to Detroit, MI, and the house was vacant for one year</li><li>1913 - Dr. Harry Knapp bought the house to use for his medical practice</li><li>1919 - Dr. Knapp sold the house to Dr. William Housen, who used it as his dentist office</li><li>1921 - Dr. Housen sold the house to Dr. Charles Saunders, who used it as his dentist office</li><li>1970 - Dr. Charles Saunders died and his wife continued to live there</li><li>1999 - Dr. Charles Saunders' wife died and the house was bought by Tamara Reeme but the house remained vacant</li><li>2010 - Tamara Reeme sold the house to JGLA Investments</li><li>2013 - Applegate Builders bought the house</li></ul><h3>ARCHITECTURE</h3>This home is a pristine example of a free class Queen Anne architecture. Queen Anne is a Victorian style architecture that was popular around 1880 - 1910. The wraparound porch was supported with classical Tuscan columns. Although the classical Tuscan columns have been removed and replaced with brick supports, this home still has a very high value of historical integrity, and could easily be restored to perfection. The roof-shaped material is hipped with lower crossed gables/octagonal asphalt shingle, like fish scales. The rooftop was even decorated with ornate finials. The house has two-story wooden frames. The first story is about 1,790 sq ft and the second story is about 1,226 sq ft. It was determined to be constructed in 1901 by James Quick (that was learned from tax records). The first floor work is mostly maple wood and was never painted. The wood flooring is in the entire house, but mostly for the kitchen and bathrooms. The dining room, entry, and parlor have wood floors, alternating with maple wood and oak wood. The second story trim is pine. The house also has a cast iron floor and plaster on wood walls.Sometime between 1907 and 1916, the garage was added. In 1913, Dr. Knapp added a door on the south side of the house for his patients to enter. In 1950, according to tax records, Dr. Saunders added the southeast corner of the house.<h3>NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES</h3>The James Quick and Lottie J. (Congdon) Quick house at 120 North Center Avenue in Gaylord, Michigan, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 as it was significant from 1901 to 1909 when James A. Quick lived there with his wife, Lottie J. (Congdon) Quick.<h3>INFORMATION ON JAMES QUICK</h3>James Quick was a successful businessman from late 19th to early 20th century in Gaylord, Michigan. He owned multiple businesses, including a livery stable business, general stores, a bank, real estate, a hotel, and a carriage store.<ul><li>The livery stable business was located at 117 North Center Avenue in Gaylord, Michigan. The business operated from 1883-1891 and he kept ownership of the barn after disposed of business. It was a partnership with his brother, Charles Quick.</li><li>The general stores were called The Quick Brothers and there were three of them. All three stores were in partnership with his brother, Charles Quick. One was located in Gould City, Michigan, from 1891 to 1895. James Quick had moved there from Gaylord in 1891 and then returned back to Gaylord in 1895. Then, the second general store was started in downtown Gaylord in 1896 and James Quick owned it until his death in 1909. The third general store was in New Toledo, Michigan, which was located seven miles east and one mile south of Gaylord, was started in 1896 and owned by James Quick until his death in 1909.</li><li>The bank was called Otsego County Bank and it was the first major bank in Gaylord. It was a partnership with his brother, Charles Quick, and Almon Comstock since 1892. Although the bank was sound financially, it was sold to Gaylord State Savings Bank in 1919.</li><li>One group of real estate he owned was called the Comstock &amp; Quick addition to Gaylord, which consisted of sixteen lots that was bounded by Petoskey Avenue, Chestnut Street (no longer exists), Sheldon Street, and Center Avenue. These were added to Gaylord in 1905 and he owned them in partnership with his brother, Charles Quick, and Almon Comstock. James Quick purchased and sold over 1,300 acres of land along with numerous city lots in Gaylord, Vanderbilt, Wolverine, and the Wah Wah Soo Pleasure Resort (all in Michigan).</li><li>The hotel he owned in Gaylord was called the Delmont Hotel. It is unknown when it was built, but he made improvements to the hotel in 1906 and 1907 after a fire destroyed part of the hotel. James Quick owned the building, but he hired others to do the daily operations. The hotel was in operation until the 1920s.</li><li>The carriage store he owned in Gaylord was started in 1906. He purchased the stock of the Brodie and Qua Company. In 1907, he moved the business from the Cook Brothers building on Main Street to the old location of the livery barn on Center Avenue that he owned that was across from his residence.</li></ul>James Quick was involved in the local government and held different positions, including postmaster, township treasurer, and being on the village council.<ul><li>In 1899, the federal government brought a post office to New Toledo, and it was located in The Quick Brothers store. The name of the town had to be changed as there was already a New Toledo, Michigan, with a post office. So, the name of the town was changed to Quick after the Quick brothers. James Quick was named the Postmaster, a position which he held until his death in 1909.</li><li>It is unknown what date he became the Livingston Township Treasurer, but it was before 1903, when he was elected to a three-year term on the Village Council of Gaylord. In 1906, he was re-elected to a two-year term. He served on both the Water &amp; Light Committee and the License Committee all five years that he was on the council. While he was on the council, he also served on the Fire Department, Rules, and Street Committees. His time on the council was noted for its upgrading of the village’s infrastructure. In 1903, there was construction of a gas pipe to each lot in the village. In 1905, a resolution was passed that all new sidewalks have to be constructed of cement. In 1906, the council discontinued the village directly constructions sidewalks. Instead, they gave rebates to the village citizens who chose to replace or make a new cement sidewalk. In 1906 to 1907, there was a major upgrade of the village’s water system. There was a replacement of the water storage tank. The original tank was on the lot immediately east of James Quick’s residence. After it was removed, he bought the lot it had been on. The new tank was at Gaylord Water Works &amp; Electric Light Plant that was located where South Center Avenue ended at Fourth Street. New water pumps were connected in January 1907 and the new engine was working in November 1907. On the 1916 Sanborn Map, the same engine was still in operation. On the 1927 Sanborn Map, the engine was still located in the plant, but not in use. James Quick was influential in writing the first village ordinance restricting the sale of alcohol within the village limits. This ordinance raised the fee necessary to obtain a liquor license in the village by $500. The State of Michigan already required a $500 fee, so there was a total fee of $1,000 in the village. In order to raise the fee, permission was required from the state legislation, which was easily granted. There were a limited number of liquor licenses issued to businesses within the village, which was six.</li></ul>Throughout his life, James Quick was involved with farming. <ul><li>He was born October 7, 1857, in Oakland County, Michigan, and his family owned a farm. In 1881, he moved to Gaylord, Michigan. In 1882, he bought an 80-acre farm just outside of Gaylord. He was not always actively involved with the day-to-day activities, but he was involved with the overall operation. By the time of his death in 1909, the farm had expanded to 160 acres. From 1906 to 1907, he was President of the Otsego County Agricultural Society. The purpose of the society was to plan the Otsego County Fair. His success with the fair resulted in him being named to head the committee which prepared the Otsego County exhibit for the State Fair, which is a position he held from 1907 to 1908.</li></ul>

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.

James A. Quick House (also known as Charles Saunders House)

The Farrar Block on the southwest corner of Main and S. Center was built in 1904 by local attorney and real estate developer O. W. Farrar. The Gaylord Hardware and George Butcher’s grocery occupied the street level store fronts. The second floor was the Masonic Lodge. A major fire occurred in 1915 which destroyed the contents of the stores and lodge. The brick structure was damaged but was repairable. In later years, Schreur’s Chevrolet followed by Jim Wernig Chevrolet dealership were located here.The Gaylord Chamber of Commerce and the administrative offices for the Tourism Bureau were housed here in the 1990s until they moved to their current location at 319 W. Main Street.Today the Harris Law offices occupy this corner building.

This is the 5th of the 10 plaques placed on historical buildings in downtown Gaylord by the local Rotary Club.

The Farrar Block later Schreur's then Wernig's Chevrolet car dealership

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.

Gaylord State Bank now Fifth Third Bank

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.

United Methodist Church

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.

Gaylord Public School 1898-1952

This field-stone gymnasium was built during the Great Depression and was later converted into the Otsego County Community Center.

GHS Gymnasium now Community Center

Nathan Parmater was a Civil War veteran and one of the first medical doctors in Otsego County.

former residence of Dr. Nathan Parmater

Constructed in 1974, these 8 units of 4 apartments each provide independent living opportunities for older or disabled citizens.

Little Village

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.

Historic Home - C. C. Mitchell

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.

Site of the Methodist Episcopal Church

The oldest church in Otsego County.See historical marker for details.

Congregational Church

The building was originally a Studebaker automobile dealership. Later, it was the fire hall, Sears catalog showroom, Interior Designs, and now the Alpine Tavern &amp; Eatery.

former site of Otsego County Fire Department - Sears - now Alpine Tavern & Eatery

Ford automobile dealership was on this site prior to Dunn's Business Solution

Moorhead Ford and then later Gaylord Ford

Former site of the Bagley Township Hall.Now a parking lot and public restrooms

Former site of the Bagley Township Hall

Covered special events center built by the City of Gaylord in 2001

Pavilion on Court

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.

Library on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building

There is a plaque near the entrance placed by the Gaylord Rotary Club designating this one of 10 historic buildings in downtown Gaylord.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&amp;S Custom Art Work, SunFrog Shirts, and Koulka clothing store. 45th Parallel clothing store opened at this location in 2021.

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&amp;S Custom Art Work, SunFrog Shirts, and Koulka clothing store. 45th Parallel clothing store opened at this location in 2021..

1913 Post Office 

A.B.C. Comstock started his hardware store here in 1878. He later sold the business to John M. Brodie and his father-in-law S. E. Qua in 906. Brodie became the sole owner in 1919. Twenty years later, Brodie sold the hardware store to Robert Audrain.Audrain Hardware anchored this corner in the heart of Gaylord's business district from 1939 through 1999. Robert Audrain closed the hardware for two years during WWII to serve in the military. The dental practice of Dr. Saunders was located on the upper level. He later relocated to his residence on North Center Avenue.Audrain Hardware was a family business with Bob's wife, Helen, and their children Toni and Biff all contributing to the store's longevity and popularity. It was one of the first downtown buildings to convert to the alpine architecture in 1964.After the hardware store closed in 1999, various businesses occupied the building. These included Sue's Stamp &amp; Scrap, G Willikers, and Great Rooms Furniture. Gary Kosch bought the building and converted it into a trendy restaurant Main Street Market. He later revamped the menu and dining concept into the current restaurant CRAVE.·

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.

Audrain Hardware

208 W. Main Street was the center of the three sections of Kramer's Busy Big Store. It was built by Frank Kramer in 1883. At the same time, he also purchased an existing 28' wide building to the west. This extra space allowed him to move his smaller business located across the street into a much larger store. In 1900, an addition to the east was completed and all 3 storefronts were veneered with brick. Kramer advertised his store was the “Largest Department Store” between Bay City and Mackinaw at that time. The building was later divided into three separate businesses. The western portion was Berry Drug Store and later Glasser Drug. When the Sugar Bowl Restaurant expanded, it purchased this space and moved Glasser Drug to the center building. The center portion of the original building (208 W. Main) later became the A&amp;P Grocery Store, Glen Electric, Glasser Drugs, Family Pharmacy, and since 1993 is the Alpine Chocolat Haus.The eastern third of the building today is the Ah-loy Bamboo restaurant serving a Thai and Chinese cuisine at 200 W. Main. Previous occupants of this space included Country Casuals, The Wishing Well, Dittmer's, and Kramer's clothing and dry goods.

This is the 8th in a series of ten plaques placed on historical buildings by the Rotary Club of Gaylord

Kramer's Busy Big Store

The Sugar Bowl was originally owned and operated by John Gocha. He sold the business to George Doumas and his brother Harry in 1919. At that time, the Sugar Bowl was a candy store and ice cream parlor. As the business grew, it transformed into a full-service restaurant.The building underwent several expansions and renovations. The first expansion occurred in 1938, when the Doumas brothers purchased the the building to the immediate west of the Sugar Bowl. In 1964, a new bar and formal dining room were added added to the east in what had been the Glasser Drug. The pharmacy was relocated to the vacant building to the east that had once been the A&amp;P grocery store. George’s son, Robert, took over ownership of the Sugar Bowl in 1972 and operated the downtown landmark until selling the business in 2016. Just three years shy of reaching the 100 year milestone of being owned by the Doumas family, the Sugar Bowl was the oldest continuously operated eating establishment in Otsego County.Today (2022) the iconic Sugar Bowl is gone and replaced by El Patron Grill.

This is the 9th of ten plaques placed on historic building by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.

Sugar Bowl

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.

Otsego County Courthouse

This Gun Is one of twenty-six nine inch gunsComposing the battery of Admiral Farragut’sHistoric flagship “Hartford”During the war of the rebellion 1861 – 1865At the battles of New Orleans, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, MobileForevermore a silent reminderTo the rising generations of theGlorious deeds of our Navy during That fierce conflict inWhich the God of battles watchedOver our nation and in Which this gun effectivelySpoke for liberty and a united country.MountedJuly 4th, 1905

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.

Cannon on the courthouse lawn

Long-time favorite bar and restaurant in downtown Gaylord.

The Rendezvous now Timothy's Pub

This building was built in 1907 after the original building was destroyed by fire in 1906. The Gaylord State Savings Bank (later renamed Gaylord State Bank) occupied this location from 1893 until a new bank building was constructed one block to the east of this site in 1964.Later occupants of this building include the Big Boy Restaurant and Main Street Shoes. The upper level housed the Union Library (later renamed Gaylord City Library) for several years before it moved to the Municipal Building on South Court Avenue. Today, SitzTax, a tax and accounting business, occupies the building in the heart of Gaylord's downtown business district.

This is the 10th of the ten plaques placed on historical buildings by the Rotary Club of Gaylord in 2017.

Leadership Otsego County 2022

Claude Shannon Statue and Park

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context