From a Historical Sketch of Oscoda and AuSable written by Henry R Solomon for the Home Coming Edition of THE PRESS July 29-Aug 4 1906.
The first settlement made in the county was at the mouth of the AuSable river in 1849, to which the valuable fisheries attracted attention at a very early date. Some time previous to 1848 Curtis Emerson of East Saginaw and James Eldridge located the land at the mouth of the river on both sides. Benjamin F. Pierce had a trading station which formed the landmark from which Emerson and Eldridge in March 1849 set off and divided the lots fronting on the river to resident fishermen and others. These lots had from 50 to 150 frontage and ran back at right angles to the river to the back line of the government subdivision. The white fish and trout fisheries at the mouth of the river constituted the main business of the town for many years. The capture of these required a large fleet of sail craft and the curing and packing gave employment to many coopers and other hands.
Life had but few variations, although the population was a floating one. It would be difficult to give the names of all those who, at one time or another, visited these shores in quest of fishing, either as a means of healthy recreation or to earn a livelihood. The fishing grounds were widely know and were sought by scores of men.
In the early days mail transportation was effected by sleds drawn by dogs in charge of an Indian in the winter and by fish boat in the summer. The first stage was established in 1871 between Standish and Alpena by J. F. Wiley; in 1872 Nelson Green purchased the route, made material changes for the benefit of his patrons and operated it until the railroad made its appearance in 1883.(see stage coach replica at Iosco Co. museum Bldg. 2) The post office was established in AuSable in 1857, the few letters that were addressed to the residents here previous to that time having been brought from Tawas and Bay City. The first postmaster was Elijah Grandy, a fisherman who kept the office in a small log house where the O'Toole block once stood. He served a few years when A. Terry was appointed and he was succeeded by George P. Warner, who was also engaged in fishing. Mr. Warner kept the office until 1866 when he was succeeded by Wm. O. Lee and in 1871 Mr. Warner was again appointed. In 1874 the post office was moved farther north and in 1876 the name was changed to Oscoda. This condition lasted only a year as the people of AuSable believed they were entitled to recognition and the office was re-established in 1877 with James Forest as postmaster. Miss Mae Duncan is the present encumbent. Mr. Warner continued to act as postmaster in Oscoda until 1877 when he was succeeded by Henry C. King, R. B. Emmons in turn George D. McKay, Charles Pierce and Wm. McGillivary
In 1857 the township of Sable was organized, but was; changed to AuSable by an act of the legislature. Incorporated as a village in 1872, Nelson Lipsscomb was the first president. It was incorporated as a city in 1889 with Henry Martin Loud as its first mayor. Oscoda Township was incorporated in 1869 and incorporated as a village in 1883. C. V. Hicks was the first president and Edwin Ely the current president.
The first settlement made in the county was at the mouth of the AuSable river in 1849, to which the valuable fisheries attracted attention at a very early date. Some time previous to 1848 Curtis Emerson of East Saginaw and James Eldridge located the land at the mouth of the river on both sides. Benjamin F. Pierce had a trading station which formed the landmark from which Emerson and Eldridge in March 1849 set off and divided the lots fronting on the river to resident fishermen and others. These lots had from 50 to 150 frontage and ran back at right angles to the river to the back line of the government subdivision. The white fish and trout fisheries at the mouth of the river constituted the main business of the town for many years. The capture of these required a large fleet of sail craft and the curing and packing gave employment to many coopers and other hands.
Life had but few variations, although the population was a floating one. It would be difficult to give the names of all those who, at one time or another, visited these shores in quest of fishing, either as a means of healthy recreation or to earn a livelihood. The fishing grounds were widely know and were sought by scores of men.
In the early days mail transportation was effected by sleds drawn by dogs in charge of an Indian in the winter and by fish boat in the summer. The first stage was established in 1871 between Standish and Alpena by J. F. Wiley; in 1872 Nelson Green purchased the route, made material changes for the benefit of his patrons and operated it until the railroad made its appearance in 1883.(see stage coach replica at Iosco Co. museum Bldg. 2) The post office was established in AuSable in 1857, the few letters that were addressed to the residents here previous to that time having been brought from Tawas and Bay City. The first postmaster was Elijah Grandy, a fisherman who kept the office in a small log house where the O'Toole block once stood. He served a few years when A. Terry was appointed and he was succeeded by George P. Warner, who was also engaged in fishing. Mr. Warner kept the office until 1866 when he was succeeded by Wm. O. Lee and in 1871 Mr. Warner was again appointed. In 1874 the post office was moved farther north and in 1876 the name was changed to Oscoda. This condition lasted only a year as the people of AuSable believed they were entitled to recognition and the office was re-established in 1877 with James Forest as postmaster. Miss Mae Duncan is the present encumbent. Mr. Warner continued to act as postmaster in Oscoda until 1877 when he was succeeded by Henry C. King, R. B. Emmons in turn George D. McKay, Charles Pierce and Wm. McGillivary
In 1857 the township of Sable was organized, but was; changed to AuSable by an act of the legislature. Incorporated as a village in 1872, Nelson Lipsscomb was the first president. It was incorporated as a city in 1889 with Henry Martin Loud as its first mayor. Oscoda Township was incorporated in 1869 and incorporated as a village in 1883. C. V. Hicks was the first president and Edwin Ely the current president.