Built in 1870, across from the township hall, Greenbush School is one of Alcona Countys pioneer schools. It remained a part of the Alcona County educational system until 1947. The school began with twenty-five students, kindergarten through . . . — — Map (db m121967) HM
The first issue of the Alcona County Review was published on April 27, 1877 by publisher James K. Fairchild. Nine publishers and 140 years later, the Review is the oldest continuously run business in Alcona County. Throughout all of . . . — — Map (db m121971) HM
In the mid-1800s the first white settlers came to what is now Alcona County. As the population grew, schools became part of nearly every settlement or logging camp. The first school was built in 1860. In 1869, Alcona County was established but . . . — — Map (db m277850) HM
This bell marks the site of the beloved red brick schoolhouse on the hill. Proud alumni and loyal friends dedicate this memorial to those who taught and learned from morning ring to closing toll. The bell symbolizes love, laughter and learning of . . . — — Map (db m154630) HM
In 1883, Russell Alger formed the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad. In 1895 it was combined with the Alpena and Northern to form the Detroit and Mackinaw Rail Company. In 1900 depot sites were selected at Greenbush and Harrisville. Scheduled . . . — — Map (db m121975) HM
In September 1846, fisherman Simeon M. Holden and his boat's crew, Robert McMullen and William Hill, were driven by a northwest gale from their fishing ground at Thunder Bay Island and made land at the High Banks of AuSable, now called Springport. . . . — — Map (db m277372) HM
Erected by the Women's Civic League of Harrisville in memory of our boys who
sacrificed their lives in the Great World War.
Percy Anderson
John E. Armstrong
Delbert Atchison
Harvey G. Alexander
Asa Baird
Ernest R. Berry . . . — — Map (db m277399) WM
This anchor windlass was mounted on the forward deck of large sailing vessels to raise their heavy anchors. It was mounted in a strong frame and used a rachet device to rotate the shaft to lift and recover
the anchors and lines. — — Map (db m277857) HM
Built in 1907 of Norway pine, the Bailey School is one of the few remaining one-room, log schoolhouses still standing in Michigan. It was built at the site of
the C.A. Johnson Logging Camp west of Mikado for the children of the logging crews, and . . . — — Map (db m277568) HM
The history of the Great Lakes is dominated by tales of majestic schooners and gigantic freighters battling storms. Working in the shadows of these larger ships, thousands of small workboats tolled in every corner of the Great Lakes. They
were . . . — — Map (db m277671) HM
(On Left)
The Capstan is an apparatus which
is mounted on thenforedeck of a ship to raise anchors and handle other heavy loads. This one was operated by hand using bars inserted in the holes at the top.
Damage suggests this one failed under . . . — — Map (db m277965) HM
Get Into Your Sanctuary
Sanctuary Sentinels
As the nation's population and economy rapidly expanded throughout the 19th century, so did the shipping traffic on the Great Lakes. Violent storms, thick fog, shifting sandbars, rocky . . . — — Map (db m277968) HM
According to the Detroit Tribune, the tug Loretta "was always considered an unlucky boat, having been in dry dock every season since coming out." On the morning of October 7, 1836, the Loretta was awaiting repairs at Black River when a . . . — — Map (db m277860) HM
On August 29, 1880, the sidewheel passenger vessel Marine City steamed across Lake Huron. While just off Sturgeon Point, passengers and crew noticed smoke
coming from the engine room. In very little time, the fire engulfed the ship. As thick . . . — — Map (db m277836) HM
After stopping for a load of shingles at Alcona the ship caught fire three miles off shore from Sturgeon Point. The fateful day was Aug. 29, 1880.
The tugs Vulcan and Grayling came to the rescue. Approx. 100 passengers, 41 crewmen leaped into . . . — — Map (db m277845) HM
This tug caught fire at the dock of the Alger Smith lumber mill in Black River, Mi., circa 1890. It was pushed away from the dock where it sank. — — Map (db m277854) HM
This is a gasoline powered fishing boat typical of many used on the great lakes in the first half of the 20th century. Fishing for lake trout, white fish and other species was a major industry from the early 19th century until the sea lamprey, an . . . — — Map (db m277606) HM
Circa 1845, William Hill established a fishery at this place,
which was called The Cove. He had five fishing boats and a
lodging house. The settlement became the village of Alcona.
In the 1860s and 1870s, Johnston, Haynes & Company built
a saw . . . — — Map (db m233580) HM
William Hill established a fishing
station in this area. known as "the
Cove." circa 1853. Early residents
were fishermen who netted the once
abundant schools of herring.
whitefish and perch. Johnson, Haynes
and Co. began lumbering the . . . — — Map (db m233566) HM
This bell was originally mounted in
the Watchtower from which the Coast Guardsmen at Sturgeon Point maintained a dawn-to-dusk lookout for vessels in trouble out on the Lake. If a vessel in distress was spotted the man on duty would ring the bell to . . . — — Map (db m277674) HM