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Oscoda is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron in Iosco County. The area was settled when Edward Smith of the Smith, Kelly & Dwight Company bought land here in the late 1860’s. Originally named Au Sable the town was renamed based on the writings of Henry Schoolcraft, who named it after the Indian words “ossim” and ”muscoda,” meaning ”pebbly prairie.” Located at the mouth of the Au Sable River, Oscoda played a major role in the distribution of lumber on the Great Lakes during the lumbering era. Oscoda was host to Wurtsmith Air Force Base until it closed a few years ago. The base housing area and maintenance facilities are gradually being converted to civilian use. Several small manufacturing companies established facilites there. The aviation musuem operated by the Yankee Air Force - Wurtsmith Division is located in some of the old hangers and is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Oscodo’s main industry is tourism. Camping, canoeing, hiking, ORV trail riding, cross-county skiing, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling all support the local economy. Numerous rental cabins, motels, resorts and restaurants provide accommodations for visitors. Population: 6,500. Township Offices: 110 South State St., Oscoda, MI 48750, (989) 739-3211. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft created the name, a shortened form of ossin and muscoda, meaning pebbly prairie. Above informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.
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