Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alpena City Hall

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Alpena City Hall Marker

Inscription. Located on the Government Square, City Hall remains one of Alpena’s most prominent structures. In 1904 when the city council chose to construct the building of Bedford (Indiana) limestone rather than local limestone or concrete from Alpena’s blossoming cement industry, many people objected. Bay City architects Clark and Munger designed City Hall in the Georgian Revival style. Since its completion in 1908, City Hall has been the center of civic activity in Alpena. A cupola crowned the structure until the 1950s. City Hall represents the work of several Alpena craftsmen. Local contractor Richard Collins supervised construction, and the Northern Planing Mill and A. B. Crow did the carpentry and marble work respectively.

Michigan Historical Commission – Michigan Historical Center
Registered Local Site No. 2103, 2002
This marker is the property of the State of Michigan

Erected 2002 by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2103.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 45° 3.723′ N, 83°

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25.845′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. Marker is on North First Avenue north of Park Place, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located beside the sidewalk on the north side of the City Hall Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 First Avenue, Alpena MI 49707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S.S. Maine Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Daniel Carter Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter Layup (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (about 400 feet away); The Third Ward (about 500 feet away); Treaty of Saginaw (about 600 feet away); Nordmeer (about 600 feet away); Montana (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Battleship U.S.S. Maine Memorial

Also see . . .
1. Alpena City Hall. The first of the 20th century government buildings built on the Alpena government square was the Alpena City Hall, which was designed by clerk & manager of Bay City and built by Richard Collins of Alpena. This stately structure blends Georgian and other classical elements in a public building design formula established in Michigan by David Gibb's courthouse & followed by those of

Alpena City Hall Marker (<i>tall view; showing cannon from the U.S.S. Maine on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

2. Alpena City Hall Marker (tall view; showing cannon from the U.S.S. Maine on right)

Claire Allen. (Submitted on August 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Alpena City Hall and Cannon. The Cannon displayed on the front lawn of City Hall is from the battleship Maine which was destroyed by explosion in the harbor of Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898. This event precipitated the Spanish-American war. The ship's remains were eventually raised in 1912 and at that time Republican George A. Loud of Michigan forwarded to the Navy Department a series of resolutions sent to him by the chamber of commerce and the common council of the city of Alpena requesting the loan" of a piece of naval ordinance of historical interest". In March of 1912 the Naval Department decided to loan Alpena a six-inch gun taken off of the Maine. The people of Alpena were ecstatic when the cannon arrived in Alpena on May 19, 1912. The common council planned a festive Independence Day for its unveiling and more than 7,000 visitors flocked to the city, eager to see the unveiling of the cannon from the martyred U.S.S. Maine. Alpena is the only city in the U.S. that can boast a cannon from the battleship Maine. (Submitted on August 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Alpena City Hall Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

3. Alpena City Hall Marker (wide view)

Alpena City Hall (<i>west side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Alpena City Hall (west side)

Alpena City Hall (<i>northwest corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

5. Alpena City Hall (northwest corner)

Alpena City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

6. Alpena City Hall

Cannon from the Battleship USS Maine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

7. Cannon from the Battleship USS Maine

It is on the grounds of Alpena City Hall. The city hall marker is in the distance all the way on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on September 28, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.