In the fall of 1854, Charles Bradford, John Gaffney, William Spofford, Charles Fitch, George W. Smock and Lyman Brainerd purchased land in this region. Today it is known as Williams Township. Originally known as Williams Place, it was incorporated by the Saginaw County Board of Supervisors in 1855. In 1857 it became part of Bay County.The first post office, in what is now known as Auburn, was established in 1869. Mr. Skinner, Assistant Postmaster General in Lansing, established Skinnerville as its name. In 1877, Postmaster Ira Swart renamed the community Auburn after his hometown in New York.

In the early 1900's coal mining became a main occupation of many of Auburn's citizens. Nine mines were located in a five mile radius of Auburn. On February 14, 1948, Auburn was established as a city.