Tawas City: A Community on the Bay (1850s–Present)1850–1870: Founding Families and First IndustryTawas City was established in 1854 by brothers James O. Whittemore and Alonzo Whittemore, who selected the site for its protected harbor along Tawas Bay. Their vision quickly took shape: James Whittemore became the area’s first postmaster, and the brothers helped organize Iosco County in 1857, ensuring Tawas City would serve as its governmental center.
Early settlement was sparse but purposeful. Families such as the Whittemores, Prescotts, and Davison (Davisson) families became foundational to the community’s growth. The first businesses were practical—general stores, blacksmith shops, and small lumber operations tied directly to the surrounding pine forests.
Logging crews pushed inland along the Au Sable watershed, while Tawas Bay served as the shipping point. Schooners regularly anchored offshore, loading cut timber bound for larger Great Lakes ports. At the same time, subsistence fishing and small-scale farming supported daily life.
Even in these earliest years, Tawas City established its defining pattern: a community oriented to the waterfront, where work, transportation, and survival all depended on the bay.
1870–1890: Lumber Empires and a Divided ShorelineBy the 1870s, Tawas City was firmly embedded in Michigan’s lumber boom. Just to the east, the powerful firm Smith, Van Valkenburg & Company built extensive mills, fueling the rapid rise of East Tawas. Together, the two communities formed a shared economic zone, often referred to locally as “Old Town” (Tawas City) and the newer mill town to the east.
Local figures such as Edward E. Sawyer, a lawyer and civic leader, helped guide the region’s political and legal development. Merchants and tradesmen—including members of the Prescott and Whittemore families—operated stores that supplied both towns and surrounding camps.
The arrival of the Detroit & Mackinac Railway transformed operations, linking Tawas to inland logging camps and outside markets. The harbor at Tawas Bay became increasingly important—not only for shipping lumber, but as a recognized harbor of refuge for Great Lakes vessels seeking shelter from sudden storms.
Churches, early schools, and fraternal organizations began to take root, marking the transition from frontier outpost to structured community.
1890–1910: A County Seat Holds Its GroundWhile East Tawas incorporated in 1895 and grew rapidly as an industrial center, Tawas City maintained its identity as the county seat and civic heart of Iosco County.
The downtown developed with stable, locally owned businesses—general stores, hotels, and service trades. Family names such as Barkman, Prescott, and Davison continued to appear in property records, business ownership, and local governance.
The Iosco County Courthouse anchored the community, bringing steady activity tied to legal and governmental functions. Meanwhile, the rebuilt Tawas Point Lighthouse (1876) remained a critical navigational aid, reinforcing the city’s connection to maritime traffic.
Though lumber still dominated the regional economy, signs of transition were emerging. Forest depletion was becoming evident, and residents increasingly looked toward diversification.
1910–1930: Fire, Decline of Lumber, and ReinventionThe catastrophic 1911 fire, which destroyed nearby AuSable and Oscoda, marked the end of the great lumber era across much of Iosco County. While Tawas City was spared direct devastation, its economic foundation shifted dramatically.
In response, the region adapted. The United States Gypsum Company at Alabaster became a major employer, drawing workers and stabilizing the local economy. Agriculture expanded inland, and Tawas City businesses adjusted to serve a more permanent, less transient population.
Local institutions grew stronger during this period. St. Joseph School, established in 1905, expanded alongside parish life, reflecting the importance of Catholic families in the area. Small businesses—grocers, hardware stores, and service shops—became the backbone of the town.
Tourism began quietly during these years. Visitors from southern Michigan discovered the shoreline, beginning a shift that would define the city’s future.
1930–1950: Hardship, Community Strength, and WarThe Great Depression brought economic hardship, but Tawas City endured through a combination of local resilience and federal support. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in the region improved forests, parks, and infrastructure—work that would later support tourism.
Families such as the Prescotts, Barkmans, and Snyders remained central to civic and business life, helping maintain continuity during difficult years.
During World War II, many local men and women served in the armed forces, while those at home supported the war effort through industry, agriculture, and community organizations. Fishing operations and small manufacturing continued to provide livelihoods.
By the late 1940s, Tawas City stood at a crossroads—its lumber past behind it, but its identity not yet fully redefined.
1950–1970: Tourism and the Sunrise Side EmergesThe postwar era transformed Tawas City. With improvements to US-23, the community became accessible to travelers from Detroit, Flint, and other southern cities. The shoreline—once a workplace—became a destination.
Motels, resorts, and restaurants opened, many operated by local families. Names tied to hospitality and small business became just as important as those once tied to logging.
The consolidation of rural districts into Tawas Area Schools reflected modernization and population shifts. At the same time, the idea of Michigan’s “Sunrise Side” took hold, with Tawas City at its center.
Seasonal residents began purchasing cottages, reshaping the economy and creating a pattern that continues today.
1970–1990: A Recreational Economy Takes HoldBy the 1970s, Tawas City had fully transitioned into a recreation-based economy. The harbor, once filled with lumber schooners, now hosted pleasure boats and fishing charters.
Local businesses adapted:
The natural environment—Tawas Bay, nearby forests, and Tawas Point State Park—became the area’s greatest asset.
1990–2010: Preserving the Past, Supporting the FutureIn the late 20th century, Tawas City increasingly recognized the value of its own history. Organizations such as the Iosco County Historical Society played a central role in preserving records, artifacts, and stories tied to families like the Whittemores, Prescotts, and others.
Downtown businesses adapted to changing tourism patterns, balancing seasonal demand with year-round service. Government functions continued to anchor the city, reinforcing its role as the county seat.
Heritage tourism—visitors interested in lighthouses, lumber history, and Great Lakes culture—became an important complement to recreation.
2010–Present: Continuity and Community IdentityToday, Tawas City remains a small but vibrant community, shaped by over 170 years of adaptation. Its economy blends:
Family names that appeared in the 19th century still echo in cemeteries, street names, and historical records, tying present-day residents to the city’s origins.
ConclusionTawas City’s history is not defined by a single industry or era, but by its ability to evolve. From the Whittemore brothers’ founding vision to a modern community centered on heritage and recreation, the city has remained anchored by:
Early settlement was sparse but purposeful. Families such as the Whittemores, Prescotts, and Davison (Davisson) families became foundational to the community’s growth. The first businesses were practical—general stores, blacksmith shops, and small lumber operations tied directly to the surrounding pine forests.
Logging crews pushed inland along the Au Sable watershed, while Tawas Bay served as the shipping point. Schooners regularly anchored offshore, loading cut timber bound for larger Great Lakes ports. At the same time, subsistence fishing and small-scale farming supported daily life.
Even in these earliest years, Tawas City established its defining pattern: a community oriented to the waterfront, where work, transportation, and survival all depended on the bay.
1870–1890: Lumber Empires and a Divided ShorelineBy the 1870s, Tawas City was firmly embedded in Michigan’s lumber boom. Just to the east, the powerful firm Smith, Van Valkenburg & Company built extensive mills, fueling the rapid rise of East Tawas. Together, the two communities formed a shared economic zone, often referred to locally as “Old Town” (Tawas City) and the newer mill town to the east.
Local figures such as Edward E. Sawyer, a lawyer and civic leader, helped guide the region’s political and legal development. Merchants and tradesmen—including members of the Prescott and Whittemore families—operated stores that supplied both towns and surrounding camps.
The arrival of the Detroit & Mackinac Railway transformed operations, linking Tawas to inland logging camps and outside markets. The harbor at Tawas Bay became increasingly important—not only for shipping lumber, but as a recognized harbor of refuge for Great Lakes vessels seeking shelter from sudden storms.
Churches, early schools, and fraternal organizations began to take root, marking the transition from frontier outpost to structured community.
1890–1910: A County Seat Holds Its GroundWhile East Tawas incorporated in 1895 and grew rapidly as an industrial center, Tawas City maintained its identity as the county seat and civic heart of Iosco County.
The downtown developed with stable, locally owned businesses—general stores, hotels, and service trades. Family names such as Barkman, Prescott, and Davison continued to appear in property records, business ownership, and local governance.
The Iosco County Courthouse anchored the community, bringing steady activity tied to legal and governmental functions. Meanwhile, the rebuilt Tawas Point Lighthouse (1876) remained a critical navigational aid, reinforcing the city’s connection to maritime traffic.
Though lumber still dominated the regional economy, signs of transition were emerging. Forest depletion was becoming evident, and residents increasingly looked toward diversification.
1910–1930: Fire, Decline of Lumber, and ReinventionThe catastrophic 1911 fire, which destroyed nearby AuSable and Oscoda, marked the end of the great lumber era across much of Iosco County. While Tawas City was spared direct devastation, its economic foundation shifted dramatically.
In response, the region adapted. The United States Gypsum Company at Alabaster became a major employer, drawing workers and stabilizing the local economy. Agriculture expanded inland, and Tawas City businesses adjusted to serve a more permanent, less transient population.
Local institutions grew stronger during this period. St. Joseph School, established in 1905, expanded alongside parish life, reflecting the importance of Catholic families in the area. Small businesses—grocers, hardware stores, and service shops—became the backbone of the town.
Tourism began quietly during these years. Visitors from southern Michigan discovered the shoreline, beginning a shift that would define the city’s future.
1930–1950: Hardship, Community Strength, and WarThe Great Depression brought economic hardship, but Tawas City endured through a combination of local resilience and federal support. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in the region improved forests, parks, and infrastructure—work that would later support tourism.
Families such as the Prescotts, Barkmans, and Snyders remained central to civic and business life, helping maintain continuity during difficult years.
During World War II, many local men and women served in the armed forces, while those at home supported the war effort through industry, agriculture, and community organizations. Fishing operations and small manufacturing continued to provide livelihoods.
By the late 1940s, Tawas City stood at a crossroads—its lumber past behind it, but its identity not yet fully redefined.
1950–1970: Tourism and the Sunrise Side EmergesThe postwar era transformed Tawas City. With improvements to US-23, the community became accessible to travelers from Detroit, Flint, and other southern cities. The shoreline—once a workplace—became a destination.
Motels, resorts, and restaurants opened, many operated by local families. Names tied to hospitality and small business became just as important as those once tied to logging.
The consolidation of rural districts into Tawas Area Schools reflected modernization and population shifts. At the same time, the idea of Michigan’s “Sunrise Side” took hold, with Tawas City at its center.
Seasonal residents began purchasing cottages, reshaping the economy and creating a pattern that continues today.
1970–1990: A Recreational Economy Takes HoldBy the 1970s, Tawas City had fully transitioned into a recreation-based economy. The harbor, once filled with lumber schooners, now hosted pleasure boats and fishing charters.
Local businesses adapted:
- Marinas and bait shops
- Restaurants and retail stores
- Service industries supporting tourism and retirees
The natural environment—Tawas Bay, nearby forests, and Tawas Point State Park—became the area’s greatest asset.
1990–2010: Preserving the Past, Supporting the FutureIn the late 20th century, Tawas City increasingly recognized the value of its own history. Organizations such as the Iosco County Historical Society played a central role in preserving records, artifacts, and stories tied to families like the Whittemores, Prescotts, and others.
Downtown businesses adapted to changing tourism patterns, balancing seasonal demand with year-round service. Government functions continued to anchor the city, reinforcing its role as the county seat.
Heritage tourism—visitors interested in lighthouses, lumber history, and Great Lakes culture—became an important complement to recreation.
2010–Present: Continuity and Community IdentityToday, Tawas City remains a small but vibrant community, shaped by over 170 years of adaptation. Its economy blends:
- Tourism and seasonal residency
- Local government and public services
- Small businesses and waterfront activity
Family names that appeared in the 19th century still echo in cemeteries, street names, and historical records, tying present-day residents to the city’s origins.
ConclusionTawas City’s history is not defined by a single industry or era, but by its ability to evolve. From the Whittemore brothers’ founding vision to a modern community centered on heritage and recreation, the city has remained anchored by:
- Tawas Bay and its harbor
- Its role as Iosco County’s seat of government
- A strong sense of local identity rooted in families, place, and continuity
