Situated in the North Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula, the City of Gaylord is the county seat of Otsego County, and the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.
Gaylord is on the 45th Parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.
Concentrated at the junction of I-75 and M-32 (Main Street), the city consists of four non-contiguous parts, three of them relatively small industrial areas. Other significant routes through the city include McCoy Road, Wilkinson Road, and Old US-27.
Nearby localities include the villages of Vanderbilt and Wolverine, and the unincorporated communities of Oak Grove, Eyedylwild Beach, Arbutus Beach, Sparr, and Otsego Lake. Mackinaw City and the Mackinac Bridge are about sixty miles to the north.
Gaylord was not the first village in the county, nor was it originally the county seat. In 1872, families were invited to settle about ten miles south of Gaylord, while the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad was under construction. forming a village known as Otsego Lake, for the nearby body of water. A post office was established at Otsego Lake on July 23, 1873, and it was named the county seat in 1875.
The first settlement in Gaylord was known as Barnes, and early settlers included Dr. N.L. Parmater, C.C. Mitchell, and William H. Smith. When the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad came through in 1874, the village was renamed for A.S. Gaylord, a railroad attorney. On June 23, 1874, a post office was established in Gaylord, with Smith as the first postmaster, and Gaylord was named the county seat in 1878, incorporated as a village in 1881, and a city in 1922.
Since it first appeared on a census in 1880, Gaylord has experienced slight population declines in 1910, 1930, and 2010, but its increases were much larger. Its peak population was 3,681 in 2000, but it is estimated to surpass that number in 2020.
Since the 1960s, the city has been marketing itself as an Alpine Village, and this has become its most distinguishing feature. Although the concept was first proposed by the owners of the Otsego Ski Club in the 1930s, the Chamber of Commerce, community leaders, and the city began promoting it heavily in the late 1960s. Capitalizing on its location in the center of the snow belt, Gaylord's downtown district and area businesses have embraced the Alpine theme architecturally, and many of its annual events reflect this theme, as well as its sister city of Pontresina, Switzerland.
Due to its distance from Lake Michigan and its elevation, the snowfall in the Gaylord region, is heavy, a phenomenon known as Lake Effect Snow. As a result, the area surrounding the city is known for winter recreational opportunities.
The focus of this guide is on the City of Gaylord, Michigan. Online resources representing the municipality, as well as individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational and sports programs, teams, and facilities are appropriate for this category.
Categories
Faith & SpiritualityPlaces to Stay | Property Sales & RentalsThings to Do & Places to Stay |
Recommended Resources
Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce
A business membership organization, the Chamber acts as an advocate for its member businesses through strategic community partnerships, provides networking opportunities, marketing, leadership development, and educational opportunities, and promotes member businesses through its directory, website, social media, and member referrals at the Chamber office and downtown information center. Member applications are available, and a calendar of events is posted.
https://www.gaylordchamber.com/
Founded in 1875, the Gaylord Herald Times is the oldest business in Otsego County. Operated by a succession of individuals through the years, it is currently a subsidiary of Schurz Communications. The newspaper is published twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Subscribers may subscribe to its print edition, which includes the digital edition, or to the digital edition alone, which includes the Herald Times' sister publications, the Charlevoix Courier, and the Petoskey News-Review.
https://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/
Gaylord Michigan USA All Outdoors
Previously known as the Gaylord Convention & Tourism Bureau, Gaylord Michigan USA maintains this guide to the Gaylord region, with an emphasis on outdoors opportunities. An overview of the city's history and the community is presented, including webcams and a printed guide on request. A directory of outdoor activities and events, and golf courses, as well as guest accommodations, restaurants, drinking establishments, and shopping venues. Hotels may be booked online.
https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/
The official municipal website for the City of Gaylord, Michigan identifies the city council, appointed boards, and city staff, including hours and contacts. Notices of public hearings, bid notices, agendas, and minutes are posted. Other resources include financial reports, ordinances, a zoning map, cemetery records, and information about Downtown Gaylord, the Downtown Farmers Market, and the Gaylord Industrial Park. A municipal calendar and a contact form are included.
https://cityofgaylord.com/
Otsego County Commission on Aging
The Otsego County Board of Commissioners established the OCCOA in 1979, applying for federal and state grants, which allowed for the first part-time employees to be hired. A local millage was passed in 1989 to finance further services to the elderly. Its programs and services include personal and respite care, advocacy, and educational services, healthy aging programs, meal services, transportation, and other home-based and community-based services. An event calendar and contacts are posted.
https://otsegocountycoa.org/
Saturn is a general, independent bookstore in downtown Gaylord, Michigan, carrying a wide selection of books, toys, games, and gifts, as well as a calendar of events. An introduction to the store and its products is presented, including hours of operation, autographed books, consignment policies, a calendar of events, and staff reviews of books. Saturn also has a book subscription program for people of almost every age, which are highlighted. Audio downloads and ebooks may also be available.
https://www.saturnbooksellers.com/
Produced by North Guide Internet, Visit Gaylord is an online lodging, recreation, and travel guide of the city of Gaylord, Michigan, and the surrounding area. It includes a photo gallery, calendar of events, and a blog, as well as a directory of local resorts and lodging accommodations, real estate availability, dining options, golf courses, snowmobiling and skiing opportunities, which lists up-to-date conditions, links to related businesses, maps, and contacts.
http://www.visitgaylord.com/
