Tawas City in Iosco County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Welcome to Tawas Bay
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025
1. Welcome to Tawas Bay Marker, front left side
Iosco County Courthouse originally built in 1869 of native white pine. the basement was used to house the jail. Replaced by the existing Iosco County building in 1954.
The Tewas Coast Guard Station located on Tawas Point was originally constructed in 1876. The chief is shown here in 1964 conducting an inspection of personnel.
The historical, iconic Tawas Point Light House, originally constructed on Tawas Point in 1876 is open seasonally for tours.
Photos provided by: Neil Thornton
The Western States was brought to Tawas City in 1955 to be used as a floating hotel. The venture met with state submerged lands act permit issues.
Center photo: Tewas City's Lake Street in 1937 featured distinctive "step down curbs. These businesses would have been located across the street from Shoreline Park.
Shoreline Park was once the central business district of Tawas City.
Photos provided by: Neil Thornton
Reverse
Charles H. Whittemore steam sawmill on Tawas River - 1854. Whittemore established the first property lines in Tawas City and other seas of Iosco County in 1857.
Mathews Street - 1868. Minor's boot shop left and Dunn's Saloon right. Logs in the river waiting for processing at Whittemore Mill.
Porter
this page online
Photos provided by: Neil Thornton
Erected by Kiwanis Club of Tawas.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 44° 16.073′ N, 83° 30.988′ W. Marker is in Tawas City, Michigan, in Iosco County. It is on West Lake Street (U.S. 23) north of Whittemore Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker and kiosk are at Shoreline Park near the pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 W Lake St, Tawas City MI 48763, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Konotin-Iosco (within shouting distance of this marker); Brass Range Marker (approx. 1.3 miles away); Rodman Water Power Sawmill (approx. 1.3 miles away); Earl T. OLoughlin (approx. 1½ miles away); East Tawas Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025
2. Welcome to Tawas Bay Marker, front right side
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025
3. Welcome to Tawas Bay Marker, reverse side
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025
4. Welcome to Tawas Bay Kiosk at entrance to Shoreline Park
Tony's Tacos to the right, picnic gazebo to the left. City pier is behind the kiosk.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025
5. Welcome to Tawas Bay Kiosk at entrance to Shoreline Park
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
