Walking/Driving Tour of Gaylord

1. Otsego County Historical Museum
Located at 320 W. Main, the Museum is the place to begin your tour.  The Otsego County Historical Society opened the museum in 1992.  The building was built in 1912 and has been a cigar factory, pool hall, printing company, and Star Office Supply.


 

 2. Mt. Carmel Centre
Formally St. Mary's Cathedral, the red brick landmark was built in 1900-1901.  Church services were conducted until 1976.  The building is being restored and used for the performing arts and is located on the south west corner of Otsego and Mitchell.
3. City/County Building
Historical photographs line the hallways of both floors giving the viewer a pictorial overview of the local history.  The building is open to the public during normal business hours.  Gaylord is the County Seat and this building was constructed in 1968 to replace the court house which stood at this same location.

4. Cannon on the lawn of the City/County Building
One of the twenty-six cannons used on Admiral Farrogut's historic flagship "Hartford" which was used in the Civil War (battles of New Orleans, Vicksburg, Port Huron, and Mobile Bay).  It was placed on the courthouse lawn and dedicated on July 4, 1905.  Another of these cannons is in Petoskey.

5. Historical Markers
Located on the lawn of the City/County Building, one marker describes the early history of Otsego County and the other commemorates Augustine Gaylord, the person for whom the city was named.


6. Gaylord Car
On display at the Chamber Information Center, the Gaylord Car can be viewed 24 hours every day.
It is believed to be the only remaining Gaylord Car and was built in 1911.  A fund raising campaign was held in 1981 to purchase the car so it could be featured at Gaylord's centennial celebration that same year.  $24,000 was raised to purchase and maintain the car.  The car leads the Alpenfest Grand Parade each year.

7. Congregational Church
Walk one block south to the corner of Otsego Avenue and Second Street and read the Historical Marker to learn more about Gaylord's oldest church building.


8. Otsego County Library
History buffs will find the Library, located at 700 S. Otsego Avenue, a must see on their tour.  Past editions of the local newspaper can be viewed on microfilm and there is a growing collection of genealogy materials.
Topics of interest may be found in the vertical files.  Ask the librarian for assistance.  Other local history publications include: "Early Life in Johannesburg", "The Pigeon River Country", Douglas Lake", "Sown on Good Ground" (St. Mary Centennial), "Clear Water Land: A history of Otsego County", and the Otsego County Centennial book.
9. Dayton Last Block
Of the original 27 buildings, only one remains today and is located at 810 Otsego Avenue.  The building is now part of an office complex and at one time was a roller rink.  Dayton Last Block was established in Gaylord in 1895 as a branch of a plant from Dayton, Ohio.  The plant manufactured ten pins (bowling), shoe last blocks, and wood golf club heads.  Samples of these products are on display at the Museum.  The company closed in 1931.

10. Gaylord Car Factory
The Gaylord Motor Company (GMC) was started in 1910.  The car was first assembled in Detroit and returned to Gaylord.  It was called the Gaylord Model 30.  About 50 cars were produced the first year.  In 1911 the company produced a D-S 30 Touring Car and the R-20 Utility roadster.  Cars ranged in price from $1,000-$1,500.  See number 6 for more information.  The white block building located on S. Wisconsin is now a car parts warehouse.

11. Community Center
Constructed in 1936, the stone building was built by C.C.C. and W.P.A. crews during the Great Depression.  Served as a gymnasium for the Gaylord Public School until 1965.  Located at Center and Third.


 

 

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