Receiving abundant snowfall and experiencing mild summer temperatures, the area around Gaylord has long been known for its many skiing and golf resorts, one of the largest such concentrations in the Midwestern United States.

The town was unofficially called Barnes, after secretary of the Michigan Central Railroad and state representative Orlando Barnes, the town was settled in 1873 when the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroads were extended north from Otsego Lake Village in the same year.

William F. Parmater, a township supervisor was appointed to find a location for the town's court house in November 1877, Parmater and George Smith, a local store owner were given land owned by Barnes and his wife to build the court house.

[8] Augustine Smith Gaylord, who is the namesake for the town, was an attorney associated with the Michigan Central Railroad.

Gaylord's central location in the county, along with its growing business community, prompted the change.

In the same year, the namesake of the town, Augustine Smith Gaylord died at his home in Saginaw at the age of 46.

It is believed that a trip to negotiate a treaty with Native American tribes out west in Montana and The Dakotas, at the request of President Ulysses S. Grant was possibly too strenuous for his pre-existing health conditions at the time, which declined his health, which prevented him from returning to Washington.

Gaylord was officially incorporated as a village in 1881, with the first council meeting being held in March of the same year which was presided by Chester C.

A 38-page photo booklet entitled “Gaylord Illustrated” was published to showcase the many benefits of living in the town.

The Dayton Last Block Works was located south and west of downtown Gaylord between the Michigan Central Railroad and U.S. 27.

The 14-acre industrial site included 27 buildings, and the owners claimed it to be the largest factory of its kind in world.

Otsego County hardwoods were used to produce wooden shoe forms, bowling pins, and golf club heads.

One of the original brick buildings still stands on South Otsego Avenue as the Bavarian Office complex.

Formed in 1910 by local investors who had dreams of becoming the next Detroit, the company offered four innovative styles designed to compete with other automakers.

[8][11] Throughout the 20th century Gaylord grew, with summer tourism, winter sports including downhill and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Gaylord sees significant snowfall during winter due to its elevation and its location in the path of lake-effect snow produced by Lake Michigan.

An annual event in July, Alpenfest, encourages participants to dress in traditional Swiss fashions.

The fair hosts many events such as twilight shows, Bump n Run, Micro wrestling, Night Of Destruction, and more.

The fair offers mouthwatering home cooked meals each day and lots of free entertainment to enjoy.

[34] Gaylord is also served by radio and TV broadcasts from Traverse City, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Cadillac, Grayling, Houghton Lake, Cheboygan, and Alpena.