Iosco County Historical Society

Iosco County Historical Society "Preserving Iosco's Past, Inspiring Its Future"

🍔🥧 Remember These Iosco County Diners & Inns? 🏨☕Over the years, Iosco County has been home to many memorable places wher...
06/16/2026

🍔🥧 Remember These Iosco County Diners & Inns? 🏨☕

Over the years, Iosco County has been home to many memorable places where families gathered for a meal, travelers stopped for the night, and friends met for coffee and conversation.

Do you remember any of these local favorites?

📍 Vic Zel's Diner – Tawas City
📍 Bordelon's – Whittemore
📍 Travelers Inn – East Tawas
📍 Red Horse Inn – Hale
📍 Oscoda Inn – Oscoda
📍 Depot Diner – Long Lake

These establishments were more than just businesses—they were gathering places that became part of our community's story.

We'd love to hear your memories!

❓ Did you eat at any of these places?
❓ What was your favorite menu item?
❓ Do you have photos or stories to share?
❓ Are any of these businesses still around today?
❓ What other diner, restaurant, café, or inn from Iosco County do you remember that isn't on this list?

Share your memories in the comments and help us preserve another piece of Iosco County history!

Like, follow and Share for more great Iosco County Rewinds!
Come see us at the Museum this summer! https://www.ioscomuseum.com/

Back when this was Leslie Ford in Tawas City... now it’s a Burger King. 🍔➡️🚓Civilian vs MSP Police Package:🚗 Civilian: 1...
06/14/2026

Back when this was Leslie Ford in Tawas City... now it’s a Burger King. 🍔➡️🚓

Civilian vs MSP Police Package:
🚗 Civilian: 100 hp, whitewalls, chrome, carpet, AM radio
🚓 MSP: ∼110 hp, heavy-duty suspension + brakes, dual batteries, certified 120-mph speedo, rubber floors, and NO hood ornament so troopers could see better at 95+ mph

Same beautiful fat-fender body. Totally different beast under the skin.

Wild to think these were patrolling Michigan roads 75 years ago from the same spot where you grab a Whopper today.

Anyone remember Leslie Ford before it changed? Or have stories about seeing these old MSP cruisers in town? Drop ‘em below 👇

Come see us at the museum this week! We are open Thursday thru Saturday. 11 am to 3 pm!

https://www.ioscomuseum.com/

🌊 Powerful Storms of Lake Huron 🌊Like, Follow and Share!!Lake Huron has always been both a blessing and a force to be re...
06/13/2026

🌊 Powerful Storms of Lake Huron 🌊

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Lake Huron has always been both a blessing and a force to be reckoned with for the people of Oscoda and Au Sable.

On April 30, 1909, a powerful storm struck the Lake Huron shoreline, causing extensive damage to the lumber docks of H. M. Loud & Sons Lumber Company, one of the largest and most influential lumber operations in northeastern Michigan. Contemporary reports noted that the storm wrecked the Loud lumber docks and scattered vast quantities of lumber along the shoreline, with much of it washed away into the lake.

The Loud family had built a lumber empire in the Au Sable-Oscoda region. Their company operated massive sawmills at Au Sable, extensive lumber yards and docks on Lake Huron, and the Au Sable & Northwestern Railroad, which hauled logs from the interior forests to the mills and waterfront. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Loud operation was one of the dominant lumber enterprises in Michigan.

When the storm hit in 1909, it damaged the waterfront facilities that were critical for shipping finished lumber to markets across the Great Lakes. Thousands of boards were swept from the docks and yards, leaving beaches littered with lumber and dealing another blow to an industry already nearing the end of the great white pine era.

Just two years later, the devastating 1911 fire would destroy much of the remaining Loud mills, yards, and lumber stock in Oscoda and Au Sable, marking the end of an era that had built our communities.

📸 These photographs show the incredible power of Lake Huron and the destruction left behind after one of the region's most damaging storms.

Do you have family stories about great Lake Huron storms? Have you heard tales of washed-away docks, lumber piled along the beach, or relatives who worked for the Loud Company? Share your memories and stories in the comments!

🌪️ Did You Know? A Tornado Struck Tawas in 1953 and devastated the town.Like follow and share for more great Iosco Count...
06/10/2026

🌪️ Did You Know? A Tornado Struck Tawas in 1953 and devastated the town.

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Most people have heard about Michigan's devastating Flint tornado of 1953. But far fewer know that the same storm system also tore through the Tawas area and Iosco County.

On June 8, 1953, a tornado ripped through the county, killing four local residents and injuring nine others. The storm knocked out power across the area and left a trail of destruction in its wake. Pictures shown here.

One of the most remarkable stories to come from the disaster involved the new Tawas hospital. The facility wasn't even scheduled to open for another two weeks, but because it had emergency generator power, it became the only place capable of treating many of the injured. The tornado essentially forced the hospital into service before its official opening day.

Imagine living in Tawas on that summer evening in 1953—no warning sirens, no weather apps, no radar on your phone. Just dark skies rolling in from the west.

Do you have family members who remember the 1953 tornado? We'd love to hear their stories in the comments. 👇

📸 Even better—does anyone have photos, newspaper clippings, or family memories from the storm?

06/10/2026

​🏛️ Volunteer at the Iosco County Historical Museum❤️ Help Preserve the History of Iosco CountyThe Iosco County Historical Museum depends on volunteers to help preserve and share the...

06/08/2026

🌊☀️ Summer is arriving on the shores of Lake Huron, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a look back at the beautiful Beaches and Lakes of Iosco County!

Join the Iosco County Historical Society as we present our short video, "The Beaches of Iosco County," featuring memories, photographs, and scenes from generations of summers spent along our remarkable shoreline. From family picnics and swimming adventures to sunsets, sandcastles, and beach bonfires, our beaches have been the backdrop for countless memories.

🏖️ What's your favorite beach in Iosco County? Was it Oscoda Beach, Tawas Point, Au Sable Shores, or another special spot?

💭 We'd love to hear your favorite beach memory! Share a story, photo, or tradition in the comments and help us celebrate the places that have brought generations together.

Whether you remember the beaches of the 1940s, 1960s, or just last summer, the shores of Iosco County continue to create memories that last a lifetime.

Like, follow and share. Our volunteers work hard to do great Iosco County Rewinds! Visit us at the museum this Summer!
https://www.ioscomuseum.com/

Share your family's history and photos Today we pause to remember one of the most significant days in history—D-Day, Jun...
06/06/2026

Share your family's history and photos

Today we pause to remember one of the most significant days in history—D-Day, June 6, 1944.

On that morning, more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. Facing fierce enemy fire, these brave men fought to establish a foothold in Europe and begin the liberation of Western Europe from N**i occupation. Their courage, sacrifice, and determination helped change the course of World War II.

As we honor the heroes of D-Day and all who served during World War II, we also remember the families who supported them and the communities they came home to.

The Iosco County Historical Society would like to recognize the men and women from our area who served during World War II.

📸 We invite you to share photos and stories of your family members who served during WWII in the comments below. Tell us their name, branch of service, where they served, and any memories you'd like to preserve for future generations.

Together, let's honor their legacy and ensure their stories are never forgotten.

We remember. We honor. We are grateful.
https://www.ioscomuseum.com/

🇺🇸

🌊 Ever wonder how people got to Tawas Point before there was a road?Today, most of us hop in a car and drive down Tawas ...
06/05/2026

🌊 Ever wonder how people got to Tawas Point before there was a road?

Today, most of us hop in a car and drive down Tawas Beach Road to visit the lighthouse. But 150+ years ago, getting to Tawas Point was a completely different experience.

When the first lighthouse was built in 1853, there was no paved road leading out to the point. Lighthouse keepers, supplies, and visitors often arrived by boat, while others made the journey on foot, horseback, or wagon across sandy trails and beaches.

As tourism grew, the railroad changed everything. By the early 1900s, excursion trains were bringing visitors to Tawas Beach, where families spent summer days swimming, picnicking, and walking out toward the lighthouse. For many visitors, the trip itself was part of the adventure. Not just a turn off from US 23 to Tawas Beach Road.

Imagine visiting Tawas Point with no car, no road, and no state park—just a boat ride, a train trip, or a long walk across the sand.

📸 Do you have old photos, postcards, or family stories about Tawas Point, Tawas Beach, or the railroad? Share them in the comments—we'd love to see them!

Like, follow and share for more great Iosco County rewinds. Visit us at https://www.ioscomuseum.com/ for museum hours.

FASHION FRIDAYFEELS LIKE SUMMER!WOMEN’S SWIMWEAR From the eighteenth century to the present day, women’s swimwear has un...
06/05/2026

FASHION FRIDAY

FEELS LIKE SUMMER!
WOMEN’S SWIMWEAR

From the eighteenth century to the present day, women’s swimwear has undergone an unparalleled transformation. Changes in women’s swimwear throughout history have reflected sociological and technological factors, thus the garment acts as a barometer of time.

Swimwear is loosely defined as a category of garment often worn when participating in aquatic activities, such as swimming or bathing. Swimwear is expected to fulfil varying requirements. For competitive swimmers, a streamlined and tight-fitting garment which reduces friction and drag in the water is favoured to enhance propulsion and buoyancy. For recreational use, swimwear needs to be fashionable whilst also maintaining its functionality, for example protecting the wearer’s modesty and withstanding the effects of elements such as water and sunlight. Exploring the history of female swimwear, tracing how it has evolved through time and across continents, not only gives an insight into fashion trends and technological advancements in materials and design, but also an exploration of female liberation
Stop in and see our clothing collection!
Thur-Sat 11am-3pm

Did you know US-23 didn’t always hug Lake Huron? 🌊🛣️Before the 1930s, “Old US-23” took a totally different route through...
06/03/2026

Did you know US-23 didn’t always hug Lake Huron? 🌊🛣️

Before the 1930s, “Old US-23” took a totally different route through Iosco County. When it was first commissioned in 1926, there was no shoreline highway yet. Picture is Old US 23 connection Tawas and Oscoda.

The original Tawas City → Oscoda route:
👉 West out of Tawas on what’s now M-55
👉 Up to Whittemore, then north on M-65
👉 Through Hale and into Au Sable/Oscoda

It completely skipped the lakeshore towns we know today — no East Tawas, no Au Gres, no Greenbush.

So what changed?
1932-1936: During the Depression, MDOT built the scenic shoreline route we drive now. It was a jobs project + tourism push for the Great Lakes.

Key dates:
📍 1932 – Au Gres to Tawas City segment opened
📍 1936 – Au Sable River Bridge in Oscoda completed the Tawas → Oscoda shoreline link

After that, US-23 jumped to the lake. The old inland route just became M-55 + M-65 again.

You can still find pieces today:

M-55 west of Tawas City = US-23 until 1936
M-65 Whittemore to Oscoda = US-23 until 1936
Keep an eye out around Whittemore & Hale — old concrete roadbed still hides in the woods 👀
Locals still call M-65 “Old 23”
The highway you take to the beach was literally built in the 1930s for tourists. Pretty wild.

Hit that LIKE button and share for more great Iosco County Rewinds
Visit our museum this summer https://www.ioscomuseum.com/

Address

405 W Bay Street
East Tawas, MI
48730

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 3am
Friday 11am - 3am
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+19893628911

Website

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