Gaylord, Michigan

Coordinates: 45°01′29″N 84°40′36″W / 45.02472°N 84.67667°W / 45.02472; -84.67667
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gaylord, Michigan
City
Looking east along Main Street (M-32)
Looking east along Main Street (M-32)
FIPS code
26-31720[4]
GNIS feature ID0626696[5]
WebsiteOfficial website
Gaylord City Hall and Police Department

Gaylord (/ˈɡeɪlərd/ GAY-lərd) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Otsego County, and is the only city within the county.[6] Gaylord had a population of 4,286 at the 2020 census, an increase from 3,645 at the 2010 census.[7]

Gaylord styles itself as an "alpine village" and contains many buildings in the downtown area with Tyrolean style motifs. Receiving abundant snowfall and experiencing mild summer temperatures, the area around Gaylord has long been known for its many skiing and golf resorts, one of the largest such concentrations in the Midwestern United States.

Gaylord was struck by an EF3 tornado on May 20, 2022. The tornado killed two people and injured 44 others. It was the first recorded tornado in Gaylord since tornado records began in 1950.[8]

History

See also: Northern Michigan

Founding and Early Years

The town was unofficially called Barnes, after secretary of the Michigan Central Railroad and state representative Orlando Barnes, the town was settled in 1873 when the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroads was extended north from Otsego Lake Village in the same year. All property north of Main Street was owned by the railroad. Barnes owned all of the property to the south. Main Street was the borderline for two townships. This put the northern half of the new community in Livingston Township and the southern portion in Bagley Township.

The town became known as the “Village of Gaylord” in 1874, in the same year, Gaylord was also granted a post office of the same name. If the community was truly ever named Barnes, the name change would have occurred between November 1873 and October 1874. William F. Parmater, a township supervisor was appointed to find a location for the town's court house in November 1877, Parmater and George Smith, a local store owner were given land owned by Barnes and his wife to build the court house.[9]

Augustine Smith Gaylord, whom is the namesake for the town, was an attorney associated with the Michigan Central Railroad. His law firm was located in Saginaw. Gaylord never lived in his namesake town, but he did own property in Hayes Township. His distinguished career included serving as a school teacher, church choir director, county clerk, and member of the State Legislature, Gaylord was appointed to serve as an attorney for the Department of the Interior in 1875.

Gaylord became the county seat of Otsego County. Prior to 1877, Otsego Lake Village had been designated as the temporary county seat. Gaylord's central location in the county, along with its growing business community, prompted the change. In the same year, the namesake of the town, Augustine Smith Gaylord died at his home in Saginaw at the age of 46. It is believed that a trip to negotiate a treaty with Native American tribes out west in Montana and The Dakotas, at the request of President Ulysses S. Grant was possibly too strenuous for his pre-existing health conditions at the time, which declined his health, which prevented him from returning to Washington.

In 1879, the state legislature appropriated state-owned lands to be exchanged for construction of a state road from Petoskey through Berryville to Gaylord. These lands were originally conveyed to the State of Michigan by the Federal government in 1850 by the Swamp Land Act of 1850.

Gaylord was officially incorporated as a village in 1881, with the first council meeting being held in March of the same year which was presided by Chester C. Mitchell.[9]

20th century history

See also: Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord § History

During the early 20th century, many fires and epidemics swept through the town.

In 1905, a marketing campaign was undertaken to attract outside business investors and new residents to locate in Gaylord. A 38-page photo booklet entitled “Gaylord Illustrated” was published to showcase the many benefits of living in the town.[10] Among the many photographs featured in the booklet were the Otsego County Courthouse and the Dayton Last Block Works. The Dayton Last Block Works was located south and west of downtown Gaylord between the Michigan Central Railroad and U.S. 27. It was bordered on the south by Wisconsin Avenue, and to the north by Third Street. The 14-acre industrial site included 27 buildings, and the owners claimed it to be the largest factory of its kind in world. The company, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, operated its Gaylord branch from 1895 to 1931.

Otsego County hardwoods were used to produce wooden shoe forms, bowling pins, and golf club heads. One of the original brick buildings still stands on South Otsego Avenue as the Bavarian Office complex.

A second railroad, the Boyne City, Gaylord and Alpena (BC,G&A), reached Gaylord in 1906. This provided east–west rail travel and transportation. The tracks entered Gaylord from Hallock from the northeast. The BC,G&A shared the Michigan Central Railroad depot on Michigan Avenue. Heading east, the tracks paralleled Fourth Street and headed toward the town of

Sparr
.

Another important manufacturing venture in Gaylord's past was the Gaylord Motor Car Company. Formed in 1910 by local investors who had dreams of becoming the next Detroit, the company offered four innovative styles designed to compete with other automakers. Approximately 350 cars were produced before the company went bankrupt in 1913. The only known Gaylord car still around was a Gaylord 30 restored by Ivan Polus, a resident of Whitefish, Montana, which was then purchased by the Gaylord 30 Car Committee, who bought it for $20,000, the restored car is on display at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Gaylord.[11]

In 1921, roads were officially paved downtown Gaylord became a city in 1922. The change from village to city required a vote by town residents. The residents voted in favor 114 to 93, a 21-vote margin. John Hamilton was elected the first mayor of Gaylord, A sewage system was installed in the late 1930s or early 1940s.[9][12]

Throughout the 20th century Gaylord grew, with summer tourism, winter sports including downhill and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. In December 1970, a Roman Catholic Diocese was created by Pope Paul VI, and erected it on July 20, 1971, with Edmund Szoka becoming the first bishop of the diocese, and named St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral as the cathedral for the diocese, the current bishop is Jeffrey Walsh.[12]

Modern history

In 2002, Bishop

sexual abuse, After the Detroit Free Press reported on the situation in 2003, Cooney said that Shirilla had made "some errors in judgment" but was "no threat to the well-being of our children," but suspend him two weeks later.[13]

The Edelweiss Village Shopping Center opened in 2004 on Dickerson Road.

On May 20, 2022, an EF3 tornado with winds of 150 miles per hour (240 km/h)[14] struck the city killing two people and injuring 44. There was major damage to several businesses and a mobile home park.[15] Incumbent Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the Gaylord area and stated that Lansing will provide reconstruction to Gaylord.[16] This tornado was the first to hit the city since records began in 1950.

In 2023, Gaylord's high school softball team won their first state championship, defeating Vicksburg 8–3, the team set a MHSAA home run record (72) in their championship season.[17]

Geography

  • According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.83 square miles (12.51 km2), of which, 4.80 square miles (12.43 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[18]
  • Gaylord experiences heavy
    lake effect snow during the winter and is in the middle of the Northern Michigan snowbelt
    .
  • Highway signs denote that Gaylord rests on the 45th parallel line[19] – halfway between the equator and the North Pole. This is one of 29 places (six are in Michigan) in the U.S. where such signs are known to exist.[20]
  • It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.
  • Eastern white pine
    forest.
  • The
    Huron-Manistee National Forests
    is nearby.

Climate

This

Köppen Climate Classification system, Gaylord has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[21]

Climate data for Gaylord, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 53
(12) 		60
(16) 		84
(29) 		88
(31) 		95
(35) 		100
(38) 		101
(38) 		99
(37) 		96
(36) 		86
(30) 		75
(24) 		65
(18) 		101
(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 43.0
(6.1) 		46.4
(8.0) 		59.0
(15.0) 		73.2
(22.9) 		83.7
(28.7) 		88.4
(31.3) 		88.9
(31.6) 		87.6
(30.9) 		83.5
(28.6) 		75.1
(23.9) 		60.3
(15.7) 		47.4
(8.6) 		91.3
(32.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 23.5
(−4.7) 		25.6
(−3.6) 		36.6
(2.6) 		50.0
(10.0) 		64.0
(17.8) 		73.4
(23.0) 		77.3
(25.2) 		75.2
(24.0) 		67.6
(19.8) 		53.9
(12.2) 		39.8
(4.3) 		29.0
(−1.7) 		51.3
(10.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 15.9
(−8.9) 		16.4
(−8.7) 		26.0
(−3.3) 		38.7
(3.7) 		52.1
(11.2) 		61.9
(16.6) 		66.0
(18.9) 		64.3
(17.9) 		56.9
(13.8) 		44.4
(6.9) 		32.3
(0.2) 		22.6
(−5.2) 		41.5
(5.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 8.4
(−13.1) 		7.2
(−13.8) 		15.4
(−9.2) 		27.3
(−2.6) 		40.1
(4.5) 		50.5
(10.3) 		54.8
(12.7) 		53.3
(11.8) 		46.2
(7.9) 		34.8
(1.6) 		24.9
(−3.9) 		16.1
(−8.8) 		31.6
(−0.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −10.4
(−23.6) 		−10.8
(−23.8) 		−6.1
(−21.2) 		13.4
(−10.3) 		27.1
(−2.7) 		36.5
(2.5) 		42.8
(6.0) 		42.2
(5.7) 		32.7
(0.4) 		23.6
(−4.7) 		10.2
(−12.1) 		−1.4
(−18.6) 		−16.1
(−26.7)
Record low °F (°C) −32
(−36) 		−37
(−38) 		−27
(−33) 		−7
(−22) 		12
(−11) 		22
(−6) 		30
(−1) 		26
(−3) 		22
(−6) 		10
(−12) 		−8
(−22) 		−27
(−33) 		−37
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.83
(72) 		2.01
(51) 		2.16
(55) 		2.92
(74) 		3.22
(82) 		3.16
(80) 		3.09
(78) 		3.40
(86) 		3.74
(95) 		4.08
(104) 		3.36
(85) 		2.96
(75) 		36.93
(938)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 37.4
(95) 		26.4
(67) 		14.9
(38) 		8.0
(20) 		0.5
(1.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.5
(6.4) 		19.2
(49) 		31.4
(80) 		140.3
(356)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 17.1 13.3 10.6 10.9 11.0 9.2 9.5 9.5 10.5 13.9 13.9 16.9 146.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 16.7 14.3 7.9 4.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 8.4 14.9 67.3
Source:
NOAA[22][23]

Demographics

U.S. Post Office in Gaylord
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880292—
1890661126.4%
19001,561136.2%
19101,538−1.5%
19201,70110.6%
19301,627−4.4%
19402,05526.3%
19502,27110.5%
19602,56813.1%
19703,01217.3%
19803,0110.0%
19903,2568.1%
20003,68113.1%
20103,645−1.0%
20204,28617.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[24]

2010 census

As of the

Latino
of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,610 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.7% were non-families. 42.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.

2000 census

As of the

Latino
of any race were 1.71% of the population.

There were 1,584 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,770, and the median income for a family was $36,654. Males had a median income of $33,264 versus $19,815 for females. The

poverty line
, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Recreation

Otsego County Library in Gaylord

Gaylord sees significant

snowfall during winter due to its elevation and its location in the path of lake-effect snow produced by Lake Michigan
. Combined with local terrain and topography, many winter recreation opportunities abound.

An annual event in July, Alpenfest, encourages participants to dress in traditional Swiss fashions. This event brings in numerous people from all around and provides a vast array of activities. Some of these activities include carnival rides and games, music, shops, and a local 'Queen's Pageant'. A parade takes place on the final day.

Twin town

Gaylord is

twinned with the Swiss town of Pontresina.[33]

Media

Gaylord is also served by radio and TV broadcasts from Traverse City, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Cadillac, Grayling, Houghton Lake, Cheboygan, and Alpena.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ City of Gaylord (2021). "Gaylord: City Council". Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  2. ^ City of Gaylord (2021). "Gaylord: City Department Staff". Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "2020 Census data reveals strong population growth for Gaylord". Amp.petoskeynews.com. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  8. ^ herzmann, daryl. "IEM :: PNS from NWS APX". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Gaylord". Otsego County Historical Society. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Gaylord Illustrated. Gaylord, Michigan: Herald Printing House. 1905.
  11. ^ Granlund, Bill. "The Rise and Fall of the Gaylord Motor Car Company". Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  12. ^ a b County Centennial Book. 1975. p. 20.
  13. ^ "Special Reports: Catholic Bishops and Sex Abuse". Bishop-Accountability.org.
  14. ^ "Update [5:45 PM]: Survey team has completed the survey. EF3 rating with maximum winds of 150 mph". Twitter. National Weather Service Forecast Office in Gaylord, Michigan. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  15. ^ "Large Tornado Strikes Northern Michigan Town; 2 Killed, Dozens Injured". Weather Underground. May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  16. ^ Elamroussi, Aya; Afshar, Paradise; Rose, Andy Rose; Elassar, Alaa (May 21, 2022). "Michigan governor declares state of emergency after powerful tornado rips through town Friday". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Kendra, Tom (June 17, 2023). "Record-Setting Gaylord Makes Most Historic Headline Yet with 1st Finals Win". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  18. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  19. ^ Gaylord signs denoting the 45th Parallel.
  20. ^ "45th Parallel North America". wurlington-bros.com.
  21. ^ "Gaylord, Michigan Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
  22. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  23. ^ "Station: Gaylord, MI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  24. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  26. ^ Christopher J. Bessert. "Michigan Highways: Business Connections 32 through 94". michiganhighways.org.
  27. ^ Christopher J. Bessert. "Michigan Highways: Route Listings: Routes 30-39". michiganhighways.org.
  28. ^ Old US 27 history Archived February 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ Gaylord Airport, County page. Archived February 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ *Gaylord Regional Airport Information
  31. ^ "EAST LANSING-PETOSKEY-ST. IGNACE" (PDF). Indian Trails. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  32. ^ "North Central State Trail". Michigan Trails, Traillink. 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  33. ^ "Gaylord's Alpine Theme". Gaylord official website. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "Gaylord". Petoskey News-Review.
  35. ^ Owned and Operated locally by Blarney Stone Broadcasting, Inc. Streaming live @ www.q100-fm.com / Free Smart Phone App: Search WQON
  36. ^ Owned and Operated by Blarney Stone Broadcasting.

External links

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