North Riverfront Park in Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thomas Stafford Dog Park
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023
1. Thomas Stafford Dog Park Marker
During the great lumber era of the 1800s in Alpena, Thomas Stafford was employed as a general manager by F.W. Gilchrist, one of the earliest pioneering lumbermen in Michigan. Stafford ran Gilchrist’s entire operation for almost 30 years.
The Gilchrist Mill was located at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River from 1869 until the whistle was blown for the last time on December 11, 1912. The whistle continued until it ran out of steam. F.W. Gilchrist died the following day on December 12th.
The mill cut over 800 million board feet of lumber between 1869 and 1912, accounting for about one fifth of Alpena’s astounding 4 billion board feet. The City of Alpena purchased the current park land from the Grace Gilchrist Fletcher estate in 1977. Grace, F.W. Gilchrist’s daughter, married Harry E. Fletcher.
After the dog park was initiated by many donors throughout the community, the Stafford Family stepped forward to make a substantial donation
this page online
Erected 2019 by City of Alpena Michigan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1912.
Location. 45° 3.821′ N, 83° 25.769′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. It is in North Riverfront Park. Marker is on East Fletcher Street south of North 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 E Fletcher St, 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. Abby’s Story (here, next to this marker); Montana (within shouting distance of this marker); Nordmeer (within shouting distance of this marker); Grecian (within shouting distance of this marker); Thunder Bay National Maritime Sanctuary (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Alpena Water Level Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter Layup (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.
Also see . . . Thomas Stafford Dog Park officially dedicated.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023
2. Thomas Stafford Dog Park Entrance
This interpretive panel is on the right. On the left is the Abby’s Story panel.
Alpena Mayor Matt Waligora thanked the crowd for their support of the park, applauding the efforts of the two girls whose determined efforts kickstarted the fundraising that made the park a reality. Though they could not be present for Friday’s ceremony, Abby O’Bryan and Alisha Manning had made a tangible contribution to the city, the mayor said.(Submitted on November 20, 2023.)
“This is an indication of how Alpena grows, and how we get new and better things,” Waligora said, encouraging others to take a dream and make it a reality
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023
3. Thomas Stafford Dog Park
North Riverfront Park’s boardwalk on the Thunder Bay River is just past and parallels the distant fence.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 37 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
