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Historical Markers and War Memorials in Alpena, Michigan

 
Clickable Map of Alpena County, Michigan and Immediately Adjacent Jurisdictions image/svg+xml 2019-10-06 U.S. Census Bureau, Abe.suleiman; Lokal_Profil; HMdb.org; J.J.Prats/dc:title> https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usa_counties_large.svg Alpena County, MI (41) Alcona County, MI (6) Montmorency County, MI (4) Oscoda County, MI (4) Presque Isle County, MI (47)  AlpenaCounty(41) Alpena County (41)  AlconaCounty(6) Alcona County (6)  MontmorencyCounty(4) Montmorency County (4)  OscodaCounty(4) Oscoda County (4)  PresqueIsleCounty(47) Presque Isle County (47)
Alpena is the county seat for Alpena County
Alpena is in Alpena County
      Alpena County (41)  
ADJACENT TO ALPENA COUNTY
      Alcona County (6)  
      Montmorency County (4)  
      Oscoda County (4)  
      Presque Isle County (47)  
 
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1 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — A Shipbuilding Revolution
Shipbuilding forever changed with the transition from wooden hulls to those built of iron and steel. The first iron-hulled freighter on the Great Lakes, the Onoko, debuted in 1881. At 287 feet long, she was a giant of her day. Just five years . . . Map (db m122196) HM
2 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — L2103 — Alpena City Hall
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 . . . Map (db m121900) HM
3 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — L746 — Alpena County Courthouse
"Alpena has blazed a new trail in construction," architect William H. Kuni of Detroit declared at the opening of the Alpena County Courthouse on October 21, 1935. Calling it "the first monolithic building erected in a cold climate," Kuni designed . . . Map (db m66795) HM
4 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Bigger, Stronger, Faster
At the time of the U.S. Civil War, thousands of sailing ships worked the Great Lakes. Despite their impressive numbers, these sailing vessels struggled hardly able to keep pace with the enormous demands for bulk cargos generated by America's . . . Map (db m122215) HM
5 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Fast Steel Flyer: The Bulk Freighter Grecian
Launched in 1891, the Grecian symbolizes an era of unprecedented industrial growth and dramatic changes in technology. Newspapers heralded the steamer and her five sister ships as “fast steel flyers.” A marvel of efficiency at . . . Map (db m126625) HM
6 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — 2005 — First Congregational Church
Soon after white settlers came to the area in 1856, J.K. Miller held religious gatherings at the home of Daniel and Sarah Carter. These meetings evolved into the First Congregational Church, which was organized on March 2, 1862, with the . . . Map (db m233605) HM
7 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Harbor Tug Ralph
In 1874, the 60-foot wooden harbor tug E.H. Miller began a 45-year career operating out of Alpena, escorting vessels on the Thunder Bay River and assisting those in distress. The tug was not without her own share of mishaps. In her first . . . Map (db m122200) HM
8 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — International Shipmaster's Association
The maritime professionals who sail the ships on the Great Lakes are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their fraternal organization, the I. M. S. A. whose purpose is stated in the Association's constitution, "The purpose of this association's . . . Map (db m121889) HM
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9 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — 1973 — Monarch Mill
In 1916 the Monarch Milling Company, a grist and flour mill, began operations in this building, which was constructed in 1914. By 1920 it was known as the Alpena Flour Mills, producing “Leader” and “Velvo” brand flour. The mill closed in . . . Map (db m233604) HM
10 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Propellers
The screw steamer or "propeller" first appeared on the Great Lakes in the 1840s. These vessels featured wooden hulls and shallow bottoms like early sidewheelers, but their steam engines powered one or more screw propellers at the stern of the ship . . . Map (db m121898) HM
11 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Research Vessels
For centuries explorers and scientists have researched the Great Lakes. As a vital transportation link to the Midwest and one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet. Such important resources warranted scientific, charting and survey . . . Map (db m122199) HM
12 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans
Life on the frontier Great Lakes was dangerous when the sidewheeler Vermilion went into service in 1838. In 1842, the 151-foot steamer burned to the waterline, killing several people. A year later, with immigration booming and the economy . . . Map (db m122429) HM
13 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Squeezing The Profit Margin
Sailing ships first appeared on the Great Lakes when French explorer Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffon in 1679. By 1870, over two thousand sailing ships plied the Great Lakes. Most of these sailing ships were . . . Map (db m122194) HM
14 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — L990 — St. Bernard Catholic Church
In 1861 Bishop Frederic Baraga (1797-1868) trod through snow and icy waters from Sault Ste. Marie to Alpena where he founded a Catholic church. However, it was not until 1866 that Father Patrick Murray became the first resident pastor of the church . . . Map (db m121899) HM
15 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Steaming Open the Frontier
Steam power first appeared on the Great Lakes in 1818. The earliest "steamers" were expensive to build and operate. Constructed of wood, the vessels had shallow bottoms and were powered by large sidewheels. For a time, these "sidewheelers" . . . Map (db m121957) HM
16 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — 1915 — The Daniel Carter Family
In 1856 Daniel Carter, who came to the Thunder Bay region seeking pine lands, brought his wife, Sarah, and daughter Mary to the town of Fremont, present-day Alpena. They were Alpena’s first permanent settlers. Daniel participated in the . . . Map (db m233610) HM
17 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — The Fletcher Coal Piers
In November of 1856, George N. Fletcher assisted a survey crew in laying the footprint for the city of Alpena. Appreciative of the area's dense forest and the Thunder Bay River's ability to help transport raw materials, finished products, and fuel, . . . Map (db m122228) HM
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18 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — The Loss of the PewabicGreat Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail
The Civil War created an insatiable demand for copper. At a time when Michigan's Upper Peninsula produced the majority of America's supply, vessels like the Pewabic played a critical role in the war effort. On a typical trip between lakes . . . Map (db m121896) HM
19 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — The Third WardAlpena's "North" Side Reported permanently removed
Located across the river from where you are standing is an area known historically as Alpena's Third Ward. The first dwellings there were erected in 1858 or '59 at the river's edge, while the majority of the land remained woods and swampland. The . . . Map (db m121894) HM
20 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — The Ties That BindAlpena’s Second Avenue Bridge Reported permanently removed
From the time of Alpena's inception it was divided by the Thunder Bay River, although most of the community was centered on the south side. A wooden scow served as a ferry, connecting Second Avenue on the south side with Dock Street on the north; it . . . Map (db m121890) HM
21 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Thunder Bay Fishing Industry
The first known fishing camp near Alpena was established on Thunder Bay Island in 1835. By the 1840s, both Thunder Bay Island and nearby Sugar Island served as a base for the area's fishing fleet, comprised entirely of sailing vessels. In 1846, . . . Map (db m121897) HM
22 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Thunder Bay River Lumber Industry
From 1858 to 1926, Thunder Bay served as a major center of the Great Lakes lumber trade. Schooners and steamers shipped lumber around the Great Lakes and to eastern cities. Beginning in 1845, Thunder Bay Island also served as a "wooding," or fueling . . . Map (db m121895) HM
23 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Tragedy in the Mist: The Schooner E.B. Allen
Like other "canallers," the schooner E.B. Allen squeezed through the canals and locks of the Great Lakes. Crews tried to maximize the payload, and thus profits, using every inch of cargo space. The heavy traffic of thousands of sail and . . . Map (db m122198) HM
24 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Treaty of Saginaw
“By the Treaty of Saginaw, made at Saginaw [Saquina] September 24, 1819, by General Lewis Cass, Governor of the Northwest Territory, on the part of the United States, and the Chippewa Nations, Thunder Bay River became a part of the boundary of the . . . Map (db m182328) HM
25 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — U.S.S. Maine MemorialIn Memoriam
U.S.S. Maine, destroyed in Havana harbor February 15th 1898. This tablet cast from metal recovered from the U.S.S. Maine. (on the shield) ☆ Patriotism ☆ Devotion ☆ Map (db m233608) WM
26 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — Winter LayupsThe fleet during its “down time” Reported permanently removed
Shipping on the Great Lakes has always been seasonal. The poor visibility, heavy seas and ice that came each year with the gales of November prompted ship owners and captains in the 1800s to "lay up" their ships. Every winter ice choked docks and . . . Map (db m121892) HM
Paid Advertisement
27 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena — 145 — World’s Largest Cement Plant
Portland cement, so-called because it resembles in color stone from the Isle of Portland, in the British Isles, was first produced in the United States in 1871, in Michigan in 1896. Because of Alpena’s location in the midst of immense . . . Map (db m233611) HM
28 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Grecian — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Launched in 1891, the steel-hulled Grecian was built during an era of unprecedented industrial growth and dramatic change in shipbuilding technology. Good steel flexes but doesn’t break upon impact. However in June 1908, when the . . . Map (db m236369) HM
29 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Montana — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Built for speed, the 236-foot steam package freighter Montana initially carried all types of freight. A typical trip found the Montana carrying a diverse cargo of 6,000 barrels of flour, 40 tons of copper, 250,000 shingles, 100 . . . Map (db m236026) HM
30 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Nordmeer — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
On Saturday night, November 19, 1966, the Nordmeer was traveling to Chicago from Hamburg, Germany, with a cargo of 990 coils of steel destined for Milwaukee. It was the ocean-going vessel’s first freshwater voyage. The night was clear. . . . Map (db m236019) HM
31 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Abby’s Story
My name is Abby O’Bryan, I am a Girl Scout with Troop 1033 in Alpena. I proposed the original idea of a dog park to a member of the City Council and began the planning process. During the initial stages, I met many others with common interests . . . Map (db m236519) HM
32 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Thomas Stafford Dog Park
Thomas Stafford was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1842. After originally immigrating to Canada, Stafford moved to Alpena where he married Elizabeth McDougall. The couple raised nine children in Alpena, with many descendants still living in the area . . . Map (db m236518) HM
33 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Thunder Bay National Maritime Sanctuary — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Shipwreck Alley. For more than 12,000 years, people have traveled on the Great Lakes. From Native American dugout canoes to wooden sailing craft and steel freighters, thousands of ships have made millions of voyages on the Inland Seas. The . . . Map (db m236835) HM
34 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, North Riverfront Park — Welcome to the Alpena Water Level Station — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
What is this NOAA building? This building houses equipment that records Lake Huron water levels, wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity. It was installed in 2006. NOAA’s . . . Map (db m235924) HM
35 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, South Riverfront Park — Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Since Alpena’s inception, the Thunder Bay River has bisected the city. Initially, a wooden scow, pulled back and forth across the river with a rope, served as a ferry and connected Second Avenue on the south side with Dock Street on the north. In . . . Map (db m235868) HM
Paid Advertisement
36 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, South Riverfront Park — The Third Ward — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Located across the river from where you are standing is an area known historically as Alpena’s Third Ward. The first dwellings were erected in 1858 or ’59 at the river’s edge, while the majority of the land remained woods and swampland. In 1867, . . . Map (db m235736) HM
37 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, South Riverfront Park — Winter LayupThe Fleet During its “Down Time” — Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —
Shipping on the Great Lakes has always been seasonal. Poor visibility, heavy seas and ice that arrive each year with the gales of November prompted 19th-century ship owners and captains to “lay up” their ships and take them out of active service . . . Map (db m235671) HM
38 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, Veteran’s Memorial Park — Vietnam Memorial Moving WallJuly – 1995 — Richard Hunter – Chairman —
E. P. Austin • Vincent Agius, Jr. • Philip B Emerson • Jack R. Sanborn • David K. Bruning • Ned A. Heath • Rodney Chapman • Gene P. Fussey • Phillip A. Elliott • Bruce E. Hahn • Thomas P. Smith • Donald J. Woloszyk • Frederick J. Wozniak • Luther A. . . . Map (db m235658) WM
39 Michigan, Alpena County, Alpena, Washington Avenue Park — “History of Industry Sculpture Series”(2018)
This sculpture series represents the history of industry in Alpena and the surrounding region of Northeast Michigan. It is dedicated to the people who made livelihoods for themselves, their families and their communities throughout time. While . . . Map (db m235657) HM
 
 
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Mar. 28, 2024