Postcards from the Lake: Made In Gaylord?

The little town where I spend the summer -- Gaylord, Michigan -- had early origins in the logging industry. But some are surprised to learn that there used to be an automobile manufacturing company here in the early 1900s -- the Gaylord Motor Car Company (1911-1913). 

In the Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street, one can still see one of the original cars.

Although there were several styles of vehicles -- a convertible four-seat car for private drivers, a two-person roadster and a larger vehicle with storage space for luggage among them -- only one is in the Chamber office. It is fully restored and quite handsome.

Families who have been here at the lake for close to a century will recognize the names of some of the original trustees of the company, including those of Kramer and Shipp. (The Shipp cottage was next door to the original family cottage now owned by my cousins.)

Why a car company in Gaylord? The story is actually one that combines community spirit with a pressing economic needs. The lumber industry, which had been the backbone of the Gaylord economy, was coming to an end and the auto industry was making its early start. Fifty-three town residents raised $50,000 in a month (now about $1.35 million) to build a factory and the parts and equipment to build new cars. (The assembly plant was located near the railroad near a cemetery on Wisconsin Street, which is now the southern edge of downtown Gaylord.) 

Otsego County Historical Society

The first demonstration car was actually made in Detroit and was driven to Gaylord in 1910. The cost for one of these cars ranged from $1,000 to $1500. (The $1500 price would be equivalent to $40,910.68 in today's dollars.) It arrived in Gaylord from Detroit, on August 15, 1910, driven by the president and general manager of the Gaylord Motor Car Company. Remember -- at this time, the four hour trip from Detroit would take at least two days on the roads of the day.

Otsego County Historical Society

 By 1912, the factory had moved to Gaylord and the car had been featured at the National Auto Show, which brought orders from the national exposure. Hoping to break apart from competitors, the utility wagon had a higher road clearance, which made it useful on the more rugged roads outside cities.

But there are challenges to any new business. One big one is keeping it up and running to build your reputation before it fully maximizes its financial potential. As money ran out, it was difficult to find new investors. 

Otsego County Historical Society

Those with capital and the inclination had many investment options in this new industry. Many chose new new Ford Motor Company whose Model T sold for $550. This was less than half the price of the Gaylord vehicle. It led to the company's bankruptcy.

Otsego County Historical Society

A man named Ivan Polus in Elmira, Michigan was responsible for finding the only known Gaylord car in existence and restoring it. 

The Gaylord Motor Car Company may not have saved the Gaylord economy (which, thanks to tourism is doing quite well) but it did reveal how several forward-thinking members of the community pooled their ideas and resources to take a chance and create something new.

And these days, that thinking outside the box and looking toward new seems to be something many will be doing as we juggle the challenges we face today.

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Part of our Heritage: The R.E. Olds Museum

When I was a kid one of my grade school classmates and church friends was J. Woody. Doc (Armin) and Louise lived next door and I baby sat Davy (who I know is now David!) more than once. Bunny lived down the street and was a friend of my mom. What I didn't know as a child was that all of these people were descendants of one of our city's great pioneers, R.E. Olds, founder of REO Motorworks. And yes, if you ever drove an Oldsmobile, you have ties to Lansing, Michigan.

Last November attended an anniversary party at the R.E. Olds Museum here and it was a revelation in its wonderful display of classic automobiles from Oldsmobile and REO Motor Company as well as showing a slice of life for this power family in our community.

I should say that this is quite a small museum. Well, large enough to hold many cars, but we are talking one floor. They've done a magnificent job making the museum accessible to people, able to enjoy both the automotive history of the companies as well as the historical elements of family life.

This part of the post is all about the cars!

Imagine, taking a drive in this green beauty!

I have to admit, with its bright green, it was my favorite!

How many of us had a station wagon not unlike this one in our youth?

Nascar, anyone?

REO/Oldsmobile didn't just provide family cars. The police cars in Lansing were from this company.

So, too, were fire trucks in the day.

And a later day!

The museum showcases the functional "business" purposes of these cars well.

REO did farm trucks and tractors.

One could even be driven to their final reward (or the next-to-last stop) in one of their cars!

In some cases, there were child-size versions of the larger cars.

I loved the wonderful colors in the paints.

Have you noticed that most people don't have "happy colors" in their cars these days?

On road trips, I count "Happy Color" cars -- cars that are not silver, black, navy, brown or white. Depending on the day, I include maroon in there but fire-engine red is a happy color. Sometimes I can go a whole three hour trip and not even count ten! I might count this maroon, thought. it's so rich!

But I've only seen a KIA Soul this color.

So whether your tastes run from dignified black...

...to something bright...

A vehicle for your fancies...

...or a fancy pint-sized car...

This place had it all! (But wait! There's more -- coming soon!)

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Something Vintage – Or: Mastering the Science of Right Living

It started out as another morning run to the farmer’s market – this time for peaches.

The sunflowers were amazing and so, too, were the other veggies. It was attracting quite a crowd.

But the big crowd pleaser was the annual vintage car ride, going north on Old 27 from Coldwater in the south to Cheboygan on the northern coast, bordering Lake Michigan.

It was the route we all used to travel, long before expressways. It was the route I remembered my parents taking north when I was just a little kid.

As they parked in the reserved spots on Main Street, it looked like a step back in time.

I couldn’t help admiring some with my favorite blue…

…and a brilliant yellow.

Of course, there were lots of people looking…

…and the drivers made it quite convenient!

All of the cars were in terrific shape, and it was great fun to see them on parade.

In an effort to avoid the traffic, I decided to take the back roads through town and saw a sign for an estate sale. Everything was half-off or fill a bag for five dollars. When one of the first thing I spotted was these, I knew it was going to be very, very good!

It’s amazing how much stuff you can stuff into a plastic grocery bag, like all of these books, some music, some poetry – all for ripping up and gluing to something else! (Although I think I’ll hold onto the 1932 World Book annual, which with its pre-war era is quite fascinating.)

I loved this “diorama” picture – I have a couple and remember making up stories about them as a kid. This one was in great shape.

A few cat baubles – and someone’s Santa pic in a pretty paper frame.

Bottle brush trees – a couple were old; most not, but they’ll be fine for bleaching!

Vintage linens – two pairs of pillowcases and three tablecloths – two are here…

…and here is the other.

This one is large and has a wonderful berry border.

I manage to squeeze the cute little kitty dresser scarf in, too!

And these three pink glass pieces – two are depression glass, the other I just liked!

And here are those paper dolls again, with their already-cut wardrobe (thank you!)

I loved how each one was named. Sometimes twice!

And if you wonder how those peaches looked in that dish – well, I think they were great!

If that wasn’t a good enough day, there was art time. I painted some of my paper clay embellishments…

…and finished up a half-done piece I’m still not sure I’m satisfied with, but it’s better.

Lizzie Cosette lapped up trying to escape from the porch…

…and the nights had glorious sunsets.

I would say that with out a doubt, at least at this time, on this day, I am the…  well, I’ll let the book title speak for itself.

Now if only Labor Day is as lovely! I'm off now!

Enjoy!