City of Au Gres
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Click on the photo to start a gallery. Navigate forward and backward manually. Photo captions/descriptions accompany the photos, and also are in PDF format accessed by the links below the galleries.
Documents (1)
Captions/Descriptions
1903 1st Train to Arrive in Au Gres.
3 Nov 1903 "Do You Remember?" items about D & M railroad work train used to construct track from Omer to Au Gres. On cowcatcher: Harry Marsh & Marshall Rymel. (8 Jul 1936 Arenac County Independent)
1922-28 M J Wilk & Sons/J J Gwisdala Durant Dealer Ad.
M J Wilk & Sons, Au Gres/J J Gwisdala, Standish Durant dealer ad for the Star model car. Exact Date unknown; vehicle was produced 1922-28. (Arenac County Independent)
1936 Dittenbers 50th Anniversary
About 1936 Jan 17, at their home near Au Gres. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dittenber with two of their granddaughters, Dorothy and Rose Dittenber and their only great-grandchild, Robert Dittenber. The Dittenbers married in Kukus, Russia in 1886. The immigrated in 1902 and moved to the Au Gres area in 1904. The couple were remarried by Rev. G. K. Widmayer, St. Johns Congregational church. (Arenac County Independent)
1938 John Heinrich Sr House
11 May 1938 "Fine new" farm house of John Heinrich Sr. (Arenac County Independent)
1939 Au Gres HS Grads
Reading from left. Top/1st row: Rose Wilk, Mark Ennes, Margaret Proulx (sec, treas), Charles Ruste (pres), Lillian Heinrich, Mary Stanley.
2nd row: Arthur Dingman, Ann Landrie, Irene Shirkey, Arnold Heinrich.
Bottom/3rd row: Herbert Dewald, Mildred Siewert (class advisor), Calvin Ennes (super), Earl Dingman.
2nd row: Arthur Dingman, Ann Landrie, Irene Shirkey, Arnold Heinrich.
Bottom/3rd row: Herbert Dewald, Mildred Siewert (class advisor), Calvin Ennes (super), Earl Dingman.
1941 A. W. "Mike" Davis Fishery Ad
19 Nov 1941 A. W. "Mike" Davis fishery ad. (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Russel Carruthers Station Ad
Lunches, beer, wines, Shell gas & lubricants holiday ad. Says "[d]espite gas rationing and other war restrictions, we are pleased to be here" at their new location. (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Pvt Mark Ennes
6 May 1942 Pvt. Mark Ennes, 107th Medical Reg., 32nd Div, Co E. National Guards Camp Livingston, LA. Son of Mr & Mrs Calvin Ennes, Au Gres (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Pvt Emory Lohr
Pvt Emory Lohr, 186th Inf, Co. A. Son of Mr & Mrs Herbert Lohr, Au Gres. (6 May 1942 Arenac County Independent)
1942 Pvt Carl Ott
6 May 1942 Son of Mr & Mrs Philip Ott, Au Gres. Mess truck driver. (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Mr & Mrs Henry Selle 55th Anniversary
29 Jul 1942 Present were Rudolph Selle w/family Edna & Lester; Mr & Mrs Edwin Shewfelt & 2 sons; Mr & Mrs John Heinrich w/family Lillian Selle, Mrs William Christie & daughter Lillian; Mr & Mrs John Selle & 2 daughters; Mr & Mrs Huber Lear w/family; Mr & Mrs Alvin Selle; Herb & Robert Selle; Mr & Mrs Wayne West & son; Vernon & Edward (sons of Otto Selle). (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Mrs Amelia (Pagel) Noeske 86th Birthday
23 Sep 1942 After suffering stroke. She was born in Germany in 1856. She died in later 1942 and is buried in Sterling Cemetery. (Arenac County Independent)
1942 Maser's Drug Store Holiday Ad
23 Dec 1942 end of year thanks to patrons of Maser's Drug Store and notice that "our plumbing and heating business was overcome by war priorities." (Arenac County Independent)
1943 Milkweed Pods for War Effort Ad
6 Oct 1943 ad stating need of 15 million pounds of "Ripe Milkweed Pods For Use in War Effort" to be dropped off at Northern Floral Co, Standish or Noggle's Store, Au Gres. Ad placed by War Hemp Industries, Inc, Milkweed Floss Division, Petosky, MI. US govt used milkweed floss as Kapok replacement in life preservers, aviator jackets and other flotation related items. (Arenac County Independent)
1944 Au Gres Social Item
Mentioned: Mrs Fred Schutte, Mrs Wm Schutte & son Harold, Sgt Joe Petri Jr, Mr & Mrs Joe Petri Sr. (20 Dec 1944 Arenac County Independent)
1946 WFW Post Seeking New Members Ad
VFW post comrade Joseph A Glowin inviting new WW vets membership (26 Jan 1946 Arenac County Independent)
1946 Telephone Rate Increase Notice
Au Gres Telephone Co owner John Maser legal notice of telephone rate increases. (6 Feb 1946 Arenac County Independent)
1947 Robert Dittenber
Robert Dittenber leads Pontiac Press Big Fish Contest. (Photo by J A Seator for 9 Jul 1947 Arenac County Indpendent)
1947 Bear Track Inn New Year Ad
Bear Track Inn, R 2, Au Gres New Year ad. Mr & Mrs Tom Long. 31 Dec 1947 Arenac County Independent)
1948 H & S Recreation Ad
H & S Recreation bowling alley. Roy Holland, Bob Stiehl. (28 Jul 1948 Arenac County Independent)
1949 Pinewood Inn Ad
Betty & Sam Petrucci. (Arenac County Independent)
1950 Kitty & Ed's Bar Ac
Dine & dance, music by Melody Makers. (7 Jun 1950 Arenac County Independent)
1955 Au Gres High School Srs
(Arenac County Independent) See Caption/Description PDF link for list of teachers and students.
1982 Ida Warren
Article discusses how she grows roses for Jackson Perkins. Jackson Perkins had 1% of local growers test their stock. Article also mentions Hilda Dreyer, Helen Maser. (Arenac County Independent)
1996 Bruce & Hattie VanHorn Family
1996 Bruce & Hattie VanHorn Family. Reading from left. Front row: Henry Ellison, Bess (Mrs Henry) Ellison, Ethel (Mrs Harry) Pendred, Harry Pendred. Back row: Clinton Selle, Hilda (Mrs Clinton) Selle, Helen (Mrs Ensil) Rohdy, Ensil Rohdy, Ruth (Mrs Harold), Harold Young. (Arenac County Independent)
Thomas Hartwick & Sons "American Christmas" Ad (Date unknown)
Grain elevator. (Arenac County Independent)
News Clippings (27)
Captions/Descriptions
B/N 1891-1905 "Hogan Baby Au Gres"
Between 1891-1905 Photo from glass negative labeled “ThS Hogan Baby Au Gres.” Baby seated in baby carriage in front of backdrop.
B/N 1891-1905 “C R Smith 3 child Au Gres”
Between 1891-1905 Photo from glass negative labeled “C R Smith 3 child Au Gres.” Girl seated holding infant, toddler standing.
B/N 1891-1905 Ellen Garog
Between 1891-1905 Ellen Garog. Photo from glass negative labeled “Ellen Garog 2 chil Au Gres.” Young girl standing in front of backdrop beside cloth-draped chair that has toddler standing on it.
B/N 1891-1905 Hook Pole Load
Between 1891-1905 Hook Pole Load. Photo from glass negative labeled “Hook Poles Au Gres.” Man driving horse team pulling wagon of bundled wooden slats. Buildings, false facade building in background.
B/N 1891-1905 John Seymour
Between 1891-1905. John Seymour. Photo from glass negative labeled “John Seymour Au Gres.” Young man seated in front of backdrop.
B/N 1891-1905 Mike Smith
Photo from glass negative labeled “Mike Smith Au Gres on glass is Mike Smith.” Man seated in front of backdrop.
Early 1900s Bessinger Pickle Company
Near railroad crossing, next to grain elevator. Car & truck outside.
1911 Club House
Ad that ran in 1911 Pioneer Society Booklet that read "We conduct a Homelike Hotel, neat Rooms, Clean Beds, Homelike Meals and Reasonable Rates." Run by Mr & Mrs John Lagness.
1913-14 Dr John Petty House
West-facing view on Michigan Ave. House in foreground left belonged to Dr. John Petty. House built for him in 1913-14. (Online index for "Ledger of John R. Petty, M. D. [1911-18].")
1919 Omer/Au Gres July 4th Baseball Game
Field of unidentified players & spectators.
1920 Multi-Family Photo
Reading from left. Top row: George Ellis, Hattie Sibley Van Horn, Bruce Van Horn.
Middle row: Josiah Sibley, Betsey Sibley, Lucy and Wm. Lincoln.
Bottom row: Edith Pendred, Lillian Sibley, Bess & Ethel Van Horn, Wm. Sibley.
Middle row: Josiah Sibley, Betsey Sibley, Lucy and Wm. Lincoln.
Bottom row: Edith Pendred, Lillian Sibley, Bess & Ethel Van Horn, Wm. Sibley.
1922 Maccabee Hall
After "the Great Ice Storm of 1922."
![192[4?] Au Gres Barber Shop](https://arenachistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/img-au-gres-c-1924-barber-shop.jpg "192[4?] Au Gres Barber Shop")
192[4?] Au Gres Barber Shop
Man in car in front of shop.
2932-33 Au Gres School Band
Reading from left. Back/1st row: Calvin Ennes (teacher), Harry Jennings.
2nd row: Alfred Allen, Ted Widmayer, Howard Dragomer, Jr Appleby, Erwin Reichle.
3rd row: Irene Thaut, Leonard Frank, Lincoln Ennes.
Front/4th row: Mary Vance, Farol Marsh, Mark Ennes, Gary McLean, Helen Wilk, Lydia Widmayer (Felsing).
2nd row: Alfred Allen, Ted Widmayer, Howard Dragomer, Jr Appleby, Erwin Reichle.
3rd row: Irene Thaut, Leonard Frank, Lincoln Ennes.
Front/4th row: Mary Vance, Farol Marsh, Mark Ennes, Gary McLean, Helen Wilk, Lydia Widmayer (Felsing).
1935 Au Gres High School Girls Basketball Team
Standing: Ann Dragomer, Alice Ennes, Harry Jennings (coach), Alma Reichle, Mary Stanley.
Sitting: Irene Shirkey, Marion Rockweiler, Harriet McLean, Dorothy Shirkey.
Sitting: Irene Shirkey, Marion Rockweiler, Harriet McLean, Dorothy Shirkey.
1936 New Airport Construction
21 men (workers and "suits") posing with machinery and construction tools.
1937 Au Gres's 1st Orchestra
Reading from left. Back row: Ethel Farver, Margaret (Proulx) Dittenber, Mark Ennes, Charles Ruste, Max Peck, Ruth Duby, Mary Stanley, Willard Noggle.
Front row: Nellie Fesa, Alice Ennis, Elaine Shotwell, Laura Ruste, Mary Fesa, Lillian Reichle, Lillian Proulx. Image img-au-gres-1937-1st-orchestra-part-02.jpg shows hand-written names listed on the back.
Front row: Nellie Fesa, Alice Ennis, Elaine Shotwell, Laura Ruste, Mary Fesa, Lillian Reichle, Lillian Proulx. Image img-au-gres-1937-1st-orchestra-part-02.jpg shows hand-written names listed on the back.
1937 Au Gres 1st Orchestra Members
Names written on back of img-au-gres-1937-1st-orchestra-part-01.jpg.
1937-38 Au Gres High School Class
Jerri () has identified Esther Heinrich (front row, 3rd third from right) & Lillian Heinrich (front row, 5th from right.)
1945 Walter Nowak Fishing Shanty
Walter was a school teacher. He died 2 Aug 2009 at age 99. The shanty has Standish, Mich. but he later moved to Au Gres.
Circa 1947 Jennings Food Mart
Photo dated by information from Kenneth Myles.
1950s Marsh's Department Store
On Michigan Ave 1-1/2 blocks south of US-23.
1960-61 Au Gres-Sims Public School 4th Grade Class
Handwritten script difficult to read. Reading from left. Top/1st row: Thelma Willett, Kevin Swartz, Sue Duby, [Ronnnie?] Kauffman, Joyce [Pataric?], Larry Packard, () Hoppe.
2nd row: Lester Tremble, Ashley [LaPrarice?], Tom Thompson, Janet Dittenber, Gary [Mihl?], Trudy [Bergoin?], [unreadable].
3rd row: Jane Badaur, [Denny>?] Kamernelle, John Jantzi, Judy [7 letters].
4th row: Alan Maser, Patty Hinrich, Bernie Freehling, Vicki Trombley, Chuck [unreadable], Mary Jane [Heinrich?], Bill Morgan.
Bottom/5th row: Cathy Paradise, Steve Armentrout, Don Ott, Jack [Scheible?]. Alsson Studios, Inc.
2nd row: Lester Tremble, Ashley [LaPrarice?], Tom Thompson, Janet Dittenber, Gary [Mihl?], Trudy [Bergoin?], [unreadable].
3rd row: Jane Badaur, [Denny>?] Kamernelle, John Jantzi, Judy [7 letters].
4th row: Alan Maser, Patty Hinrich, Bernie Freehling, Vicki Trombley, Chuck [unreadable], Mary Jane [Heinrich?], Bill Morgan.
Bottom/5th row: Cathy Paradise, Steve Armentrout, Don Ott, Jack [Scheible?]. Alsson Studios, Inc.
1961-62 Au Gres-Sims 6th Grade
Names missing or the handwritten script very faded. Top/1st row: Barbara Wilinski, (), (), Roger Goretki.
2nd row: Anthony Urbreski, Janet McCourt, () [Sullivan?], [?] Duby, Ron Lapence, [Nancy?] (), Buddy Para[isie?], ().
3rd row: [Marsha Osier?], [?] Jennings, Karen Kennedy, Ronnie Priest, (), Bill Hartwick, Sharon [Chasier?], [Harry?] Swartz.
Bottom/4th row: Dan [???]riol (), [Tuckman?] Shepard, (), (), (), Percy Cordera, (). Studio: Wierda School Pictures.
2nd row: Anthony Urbreski, Janet McCourt, () [Sullivan?], [?] Duby, Ron Lapence, [Nancy?] (), Buddy Para[isie?], ().
3rd row: [Marsha Osier?], [?] Jennings, Karen Kennedy, Ronnie Priest, (), Bill Hartwick, Sharon [Chasier?], [Harry?] Swartz.
Bottom/4th row: Dan [???]riol (), [Tuckman?] Shepard, (), (), (), Percy Cordera, (). Studio: Wierda School Pictures.
1964-65 Au Gres-Sims School Elementary Faculty
Top row: 6th Badgley, Betty Swartz.
Middle row: 5th Margaret Dittenber, 4th Thelma Chartier.
Bottom row: 1st Margaret Hart, 90, 3rd Phyllis [Cluirilo?], 2nd Lydia Felsing.
Middle row: 5th Margaret Dittenber, 4th Thelma Chartier.
Bottom row: 1st Margaret Hart, 90, 3rd Phyllis [Cluirilo?], 2nd Lydia Felsing.
1965 Queen Darlene (Stanley) Holland
Crowned by actor Andy Devine at Au Gres Centennial.
1975-76 Sims School 2nd Grade Class
School officers: Mr Jordon (super), Mrs Felsing (teacher). Students unidentified.
1976 ACHS 4 of July Picnic
Back row: Peg Hupert, H Bjorklund, Marion Bjorklund, Harry Marsh, Zella Pendred, Ross Petty, Don Richlie.
Middle row: Lettie McIntyre, Mable Marsh, Jessie Parker, Annabell Goodman.
Front row: Alpha Forshee, George Tolgo, Farol Tolgo, Bobbi Goodman, Violet Petty
Middle row: Lettie McIntyre, Mable Marsh, Jessie Parker, Annabell Goodman.
Front row: Alpha Forshee, George Tolgo, Farol Tolgo, Bobbi Goodman, Violet Petty
1978-79 Au Gres-Sims School 2nd Grade Class
School officers: Mr Jordon (super), Mr Smith (princ), Mrs Felsing (teacher). Students unidentified.
1985 Au Gres Centennial Parade
Float sponsored by Standish businesses Muellers, State Bank of Standish and Metzler Chevrolet Sales. People on float not identified.
American House Hotel & Williams Barber Shop (Date unknown)
5 men and a dog standing on hotel porch.
img-au-gres-c-yyyy-au-gres-charleswliken-twining-fred-lilly-hill
63' tugboat in service 1880-1905. Towed log rafts from Au Gres Booms to Bay City & Saginaw, carried mail between Au Gres & Bay City. Owned/operated by Capt. Fred Twining. Sitting in bow: Lilly Hill Twining.
Au Gres Bank and Sunset Tavern (Date unknown)
Was located on corner of Michigan Ave & Mackinaw St. 2 boys sitting on bank window ledge.
Inside Beals Drugs (Date unknown)
Was located at what is 212 E Huron Rd as of 2022.
Au Gres River Boom House (Date unknown)
Was located on the river at the foot of Main St.
Min Busch (Date unknown)
Exhibiting a large fish at Leesh-Ennis Cottage.
Au Gres From Above (Date unknown)
Looking east toward Saginaw Bay.
City School at Au Gres (Date unknown)
Shortly after being built.
Au Gres Elevator Company
Dealers in hay, grain, feed & flour, hard & soft coal, cement, tile, lumber, roofing & fencing.
Lydia Felsing (Date unknown)
Taught in Au Gres grade schools, retired in 1983.
James Grimore Lumber Camp (Date unknown)
Was near the Au Gres River.
Hammer's Grocery (Date unknown)
Wooden building with cupola as seen from across street. Truck near Sunoco gas pumps. Sign for Coca Cola at roadside.
Hannan House Hotel (Date unknown)
Was also a stagecoach stop, located on the southeast corner of Michigan Ave & Main St. It was originally the Drummond House built in 1880.
Wm Alexander Hill House (Date unknown)
Hill was a finish carpenter; a postmaster and he operated the first telephone service in the Au Gres area.
Au Gres School Jr High Track Team (Date unknown)
Front/1st row: J Jones, E Buchanan, J McFarlane, L Emans, T Nixon.
2nd row: R Nixon, E Proulx, C Dittenbir, J McFarlane, B Marcon, C Lamont, M Shillair.
3rd row: J Danek, J Taylor, R Watson, N Taylor, J LaBean, D Merkiel, J Klover.
4th row: J Chen, J Wolthuis, R Tremble, A Taylor, J Vane, A Currie, K Shillair, R Willis.
Back/5th row: J Bilacic, A Tremble, S McAlindon (coach), A McKinley, K Kammerzell.
2nd row: R Nixon, E Proulx, C Dittenbir, J McFarlane, B Marcon, C Lamont, M Shillair.
3rd row: J Danek, J Taylor, R Watson, N Taylor, J LaBean, D Merkiel, J Klover.
4th row: J Chen, J Wolthuis, R Tremble, A Taylor, J Vane, A Currie, K Shillair, R Willis.
Back/5th row: J Bilacic, A Tremble, S McAlindon (coach), A McKinley, K Kammerzell.
Au Gres School JV Baseball (Date unknown)
Front row: R Kauffman, R Dittenber, R Schawm, T Trombley, E Ostrander.
Back row: C Sylvester, J Swartz, P Downing, E Dittenber, J Gingerich, T Leaym. Mr Wollet (coach).
Back row: C Sylvester, J Swartz, P Downing, E Dittenber, J Gingerich, T Leaym. Mr Wollet (coach).
Maccabee Lodge Hall (Date unknown)
On Michigan Ave across the street from the Arenac County Historical Society (in 2022). Jail was in the SW corner. Large group of children, women and men standing in front.
Marilyn Memorial Osteopathic Hospital (Date unknown)
The clinic also manufactured clinical testing medicines--such as the experimental Hepasyn & Acutalyn--for Wesley Irons.
Morgan's Dairy Bottle Cap (Date unknown)
Green & red graphic of barn & silo in bucolic setting.
Noggle's General Store (Date unknown)
Cars out front, pillar sign for Sunoco gas & oil.
Post Office at Au Gres (Date unknown)
Located where Zanner's Ice Cream stands (in 2022).
Picnicking at Schnitzelbank Creek (Date unknown)
18 men, women & children, 10 identified.1-Mr. Ray (drug store owner), 2-Mrs. Packard, 3-(), 4-Myrtle Packard, 5-Mrs. Ray, 6-Eva Packard, Mrs. 7-Rockwieler, 8-Mr. [Pawley?], 9-Wm. Schibeger, 10-Frank Schibeger, 11-Mrs. Frank.
Au Gres School 7th Grade Boys Basketball Team (Date unknown)
Front row: T Nixon, M Shillair, M Schaffer, A Storey, R Tremble, P McChaine, E Buchanan.
Middle row: K Sass, E Proulx, L Emans, M Deywer, G Freehling, J Jonesl
Back row: R Radka, K Kammerzell, D Marthaler, R Tremble. Mr Kramb (coach).
Middle row: K Sass, E Proulx, L Emans, M Deywer, G Freehling, J Jonesl
Back row: R Radka, K Kammerzell, D Marthaler, R Tremble. Mr Kramb (coach).
Au Gres School Varsity Girls Softball Team (Date unknown)
Front row: S Freehling, H Kauffman.
Middle row: L Nowak, J Bilacic, S Tyler, J Pockrandt.
Back row: S Osburn, S Schell, E Pendred, R Maser, J Downing, C Burns, J Heinrich, L Bigelow, A Fitzgerald. T Pawlaczyk (coach).
Middle row: L Nowak, J Bilacic, S Tyler, J Pockrandt.
Back row: S Osburn, S Schell, E Pendred, R Maser, J Downing, C Burns, J Heinrich, L Bigelow, A Fitzgerald. T Pawlaczyk (coach).
Au Gres Schools Accordion (Date unknown)
Band members unidentified.
Schooner (Date unknown)
Moored in Au Gres River.
SS Hurona House (Date unknown)
House located on E Au Gres Ave back from where Lake Huron & Saginaw Bay meet. Built by William Baum. See companion "Captions/Descriptions" for more.
Au Gres Bridge (Date unknown)
Car driving over bridge crossing US-23 in Au Gres.
Fishing (Date unknown)
2 women, 2 men fishing off deck of wooden building. Metal bridge in background.
Photos (60)
Captions/Descriptions
Meek's Cabins and Boats (Date unknown)
Cabins in background, rowboats anchored offshore. Dog sitting in boat.
Zaul's White Caps Cottages
On Saginaw Bay north of Au Gres.
Postcards (3)
Captions/Descriptions