Town of the Week, March 28, 1998

Take a visit to Oscoda, Michigan; just listen in.

Oscoda, Michigan

If spectacular wildlife viewing trips your trigger, then the eastern edge of Michigan's lower peninsula is for you. Twenty-two miles of two-lane country road, otherwise known as the River Road National Scenic Byway, follows the south shore of the AuSable River as it flows into Lake Huron.

At this time of year, migratory songbirds and waterfowl provide a welcome contrast from winter, amid stands of old growth pine on the riverbank. You'll encounter the twin towns of Oscoda and AuSable, both charter townships. Oscoda is an Indian term, meaning "pebbly prairie." Its history is in logging, led by Lumber Baron Henry Loud of the firm Loud and Gay.

This community is making a comeback of sorts, as the town lost a few thousand jobs when Wurtsmtih Air Force base was decommissioned. A new industrial airpark has risen in its place, bringing back that many jobs and more over the 5 year.

This town of 6,500 people is also part of a solid industrial sector producing automotive parts, wood products and electrical components. Within a few miles of Oscoda are the Lumberman's Monument and the Canoer's Memorial, dedicated to the hundreds of paddlers who participate in the annual 120 mile International Canoe Marathon, set this year for July 25th and 26th. This is the home of the high school Owls, our Town of the Week, Oscoda, Michigan.

. . . Michigan's shoreline spans 3,200 miles, second only to Alaska in length and longer than the entire Atlantic seaboard of the US. . . . The Lumbermen's Monument, a statue depicting lumberjacks at work, was erected in 1930 near Oscoda on the high banks of the Au Sable River. It's purpose is "to perpetuate the memory of the pioneer lumbermen of Michigan through whose labors was made possible the development of the prairie states." . . . Oscoda celebrates Paul Bunyan days, which include such activites as the Snowmobile Grass Drag Races, the Chainsaw Carving Exhibition/Competition, and the Great Lakes Timber Show which features ax throwing, horizontal wood chopping, and two-man cross-cut sawing. . . . Oscoda has been entertaining visitors since as early as 1878, when fishermen were lured by the magnificent grayling which made the Au Sable River their home. Hunters from as far as Europe came in pursuit of the whitetail deer.

Oscoda.com Oscoda.Net Michigan Lake to Lake B&B Assoc. Michigan Outdoors Michigan Culture Links Government Travel Links

Motto: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" Bird: robin red breast Fish: brook trout Flower: apple blossom Song: "Michigan, My Michigan" Tree: White pine Gem: Isle Royale Greenstone Insect: Dragonfly Stone: Petoskey Stone

Info for "D'ja Know?" and "Fun Facts" compiled from Oscoda.com and the Michigan-via-INET pages.

Bert Parks move over - Michael's got Miss Iosco County

Performing a point dance to the music of the Forest Gump Suite was one of the three appearances on stage that led to Celeste Ingalls Bell of East Tawas winning the 1998 Miss Iosco County Scholarship Pageant Saturday. She also appeared in swim suit and evening gown. Another component of her victory was her platform statement on "Alternatives for Juvenille Crime and Punishment" and a private interview with the judges. -- NHP PHOTO, story © The Oscoda Press

To see the three views of Celeste, click on her picture.