Oscoda, Michigan

48750

Oscoda and Oscoda Charter Township are located in eastern Iosco County on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron. This area was first settled in the late 1860’s when Edward Smith of the company of Smith, Kelly & Dwight bought land here. First called Au Sable, the name of this town was later changed to Oscoda due to the influence of the writings of Henry Schoolcraft, who named it after the Indian words "ossin" and "muscoda," meaning "pebbly prairie." Situated at the mouth of the Au Sable River, this town played a major role in the lumber era as a key distribution point for shipping lumber on the great lakes. Later in the mid 1900’s, Oscoda played a major role as host to the Air Force with the location of Wurtsmith Air Force Base just to the west of town, until it closed a few years ago.

Now, Oscoda’s main industry is tourism. A major annual attraction includes the Au Sable River Run in the spring, which ends here at the finish line, having begun in Grayling. It also has a long sandy beach for swimming. And it is a great place for lodging, being so close to the many recreational attractions in the Iosco County area.

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