Alpena, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpena, Michigan
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| City of Alpena | |
Alpena City Hall
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| Nickname(s):
"Sanctuary of the Great Lakes"
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Location within Alpena County
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 Alpena, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County | Alpena |
| Settled | 1835 |
| Founded | 1840 |
| Incorporated | 1871 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.86 sq mi (22.94 km2) |
| • Land | 8.17 sq mi (21.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.68 sq mi (1.77 km2) |
| Elevation | 591 ft (180 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,197 |
| • Density | 1,247.80/sq mi (481.78/km2) |
| Demonym(s) | "Alpenan(s)" |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49707
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| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-01740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0620017 |
Alpena is a city in Michigan, United States. It is the only city and the main town of Alpena County. In 2020, about 10,197 people lived there. This makes it the third-largest city in the Northern Michigan area.
Alpena is located on Thunder Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. Near Alpena, under the water, is the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This special area protects many old shipwrecks. Alpena is the third-biggest American city on Lake Huron.
Contents
History of Alpena
The land around Alpena was first home to Native American groups. These included the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi people. They lived around the Great Lakes region.
The name "Alpena" was created by Henry Schoolcraft in 1843. It is a made-up word that means something like "a good partridge country." Before that, the area was called Anamickee County.
The first European settler came to Alpena in 1835. In 1856, a village was planned and called Fremont. It was briefly renamed Thunder Bay in 1857. Finally, in 1871, it became Alpena. The city was officially made a city on March 29, 1871.
Alpena faced big fires in its early years. In 1871, much of the city was destroyed in the Great Michigan Fire. Less than a year later, in 1872, another large fire burned down 65 buildings. Another big fire happened in 1888.
In the early 1900s, a company tried to make Alpena an "Automobile City." They wanted it to compete with Detroit, but it did not work out. By 1920, the city's population was 11,101.
Alpena has several important old buildings. These include the Art deco Alpena County Courthouse and Temple Beth El. Temple Beth El is one of the oldest Jewish places of worship in the United States.
Historical Markers in Alpena
There are seven special historical markers in Alpena. These markers tell about important places and events:
- Alpena City Hall
- Alpena County Courthouse
- The Daniel Carter Family, who were Alpena's first settlers.
- First Congregational Church
- Monarch Mill
- St. Bernard Catholic Church
- World's Largest Cement Plant (part of Lafarge)
Geography and Climate
Alpena covers about 9.23 square miles (23.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water. The city is on the shore of Lake Huron's Thunder Bay. Alpena Township surrounds the city on land.
What is Alpena's Climate Like?
Alpena has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers with cool nights. Nearby Lake Huron helps keep the summer temperatures from getting too hot. Winters are cold and snowy. On average, Alpena gets about 84 inches (210 cm) of snow each year.
| Climate data for Alpena County Regional Airport, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 62 (17) |
65 (18) |
87 (31) |
90 (32) |
94 (34) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
102 (39) |
99 (37) |
90 (32) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 45 (7) |
49 (9) |
62 (17) |
75 (24) |
86 (30) |
92 (33) |
92 (33) |
91 (33) |
86 (30) |
79 (26) |
62 (17) |
50 (10) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 28.1 (−2.2) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
38.4 (3.6) |
52.2 (11.2) |
65.8 (18.8) |
75.9 (24.4) |
80.5 (26.9) |
78.8 (26.0) |
71.0 (21.7) |
57.6 (14.2) |
44.6 (7.0) |
33.6 (0.9) |
54.8 (12.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 20.0 (−6.7) |
20.7 (−6.3) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
41.2 (5.1) |
53.4 (11.9) |
63.2 (17.3) |
68.2 (20.1) |
66.6 (19.2) |
59.0 (15.0) |
47.4 (8.6) |
36.6 (2.6) |
26.6 (−3.0) |
44.4 (6.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 11.9 (−11.2) |
11.2 (−11.6) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
40.9 (4.9) |
50.4 (10.2) |
55.9 (13.3) |
54.5 (12.5) |
47.0 (8.3) |
37.2 (2.9) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
19.6 (−6.9) |
33.9 (1.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −10 (−23) |
−11 (−24) |
−4 (−20) |
17 (−8) |
28 (−2) |
37 (3) |
44 (7) |
42 (6) |
32 (0) |
23 (−5) |
12 (−11) |
−1 (−18) |
−15 (−26) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −28 (−33) |
−37 (−38) |
−27 (−33) |
−7 (−22) |
20 (−7) |
27 (−3) |
34 (1) |
29 (−2) |
23 (−5) |
12 (−11) |
−6 (−21) |
−27 (−33) |
−37 (−38) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.81 (46) |
1.52 (39) |
1.81 (46) |
2.93 (74) |
2.78 (71) |
2.74 (70) |
3.20 (81) |
3.09 (78) |
2.84 (72) |
3.01 (76) |
2.07 (53) |
1.87 (47) |
29.67 (754) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 19.3 (49) |
17.0 (43) |
10.6 (27) |
6.6 (17) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
6.6 (17) |
16.9 (43) |
77.6 (197) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 15.6 | 11.8 | 11.0 | 11.5 | 11.7 | 10.4 | 10.9 | 9.6 | 11.2 | 13.9 | 13.8 | 14.0 | 145.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 15.1 | 12.5 | 7.1 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 5.9 | 11.6 | 56.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76.2 | 73.3 | 71.6 | 66.8 | 66.0 | 70.5 | 71.0 | 76.1 | 78.5 | 76.4 | 78.2 | 79.6 | 73.7 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 12.4 (−10.9) |
11.8 (−11.2) |
19.9 (−6.7) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
39.6 (4.2) |
50.5 (10.3) |
56.7 (13.7) |
56.3 (13.5) |
49.6 (9.8) |
38.7 (3.7) |
28.8 (−1.8) |
19.0 (−7.2) |
34.4 (1.3) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 108.8 | 133.5 | 195.5 | 222.9 | 279.5 | 294.6 | 316.9 | 257.1 | 193.9 | 143.5 | 82.8 | 73.9 | 2,302.9 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 38 | 46 | 53 | 55 | 61 | 63 | 67 | 59 | 52 | 42 | 29 | 27 | 52 |
| Source: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point, and sun 1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Alpena, Michigan (Water Treatment Plant near downtown), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1873–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 62 (17) |
62 (17) |
81 (27) |
88 (31) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
87 (31) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
104 (40) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 27.1 (−2.7) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
36.8 (2.7) |
48.4 (9.1) |
60.8 (16.0) |
71.0 (21.7) |
77.1 (25.1) |
76.2 (24.6) |
68.9 (20.5) |
55.9 (13.3) |
43.0 (6.1) |
32.8 (0.4) |
52.2 (11.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 20.2 (−6.6) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
28.8 (−1.8) |
40.3 (4.6) |
51.9 (11.1) |
62.4 (16.9) |
68.3 (20.2) |
67.2 (19.6) |
59.8 (15.4) |
47.7 (8.7) |
36.4 (2.4) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
44.2 (6.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.4 (−10.3) |
12.7 (−10.7) |
20.8 (−6.2) |
32.1 (0.1) |
43.1 (6.2) |
53.7 (12.1) |
59.4 (15.2) |
58.1 (14.5) |
50.7 (10.4) |
39.6 (4.2) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
20.9 (−6.2) |
36.2 (2.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (−33) |
−28 (−33) |
−19 (−28) |
−2 (−19) |
21 (−6) |
34 (1) |
33 (1) |
36 (2) |
25 (−4) |
15 (−9) |
−4 (−20) |
−15 (−26) |
−28 (−33) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.19 (56) |
1.70 (43) |
1.81 (46) |
3.11 (79) |
3.17 (81) |
2.72 (69) |
3.29 (84) |
3.45 (88) |
2.94 (75) |
3.24 (82) |
2.27 (58) |
2.05 (52) |
31.94 (811) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 15.6 (40) |
14.4 (37) |
6.2 (16) |
3.5 (8.9) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
3.0 (7.6) |
16.6 (42) |
59.4 (151) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 19.8 | 15.5 | 13.0 | 13.7 | 14.1 | 12.2 | 12.4 | 12.0 | 12.9 | 16.6 | 16.1 | 17.3 | 175.6 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 9.1 | 6.8 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 6.9 | 29.8 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Alpena?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 6,153 | — | |
| 1890 | 11,283 | 83.4% | |
| 1900 | 11,802 | 4.6% | |
| 1910 | 12,706 | 7.7% | |
| 1920 | 11,101 | −12.6% | |
| 1930 | 12,166 | 9.6% | |
| 1940 | 12,808 | 5.3% | |
| 1950 | 13,135 | 2.6% | |
| 1960 | 14,682 | 11.8% | |
| 1970 | 13,805 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 12,214 | −11.5% | |
| 1990 | 11,354 | −7.0% | |
| 2000 | 11,304 | −0.4% | |
| 2010 | 10,483 | −7.3% | |
| 2020 | 10,197 | −2.7% | |
| source: | |||
In 2010, there were 10,483 people living in Alpena. There were 4,734 households, which are groups of people living together. About 2,565 of these were families. The city had about 1,227 people per square mile.
Most people in Alpena are White (96.8%). Other groups include African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 24.8% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 42.5 years old. About 20.7% of residents were under 18. About 19.4% were 65 or older. There were slightly more females (52.3%) than males (47.7%).
Alpena's Economy
Tourism is important to Alpena's economy. But Alpena also has a strong industrial base.
- It is home to a large cement plant called Lafarge-Holcim.
- Besser Company, which makes machines for concrete blocks, is also here.
- Decorative Panels International has a drywall factory in Alpena.
- MidMichigan Health, a big medical center, is the largest employer in the city.
The Alpena Mall used to be the main shopping center. It closed mostly in 2022. Now, other stores operate in the area.
Culture and Fun in Alpena
Alpena has many places that celebrate its history and culture. The city is known for its connection to Great Lakes shipping.
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Alpena is the entry point to this special underwater park. It protects many shipwrecks in Lake Huron. The cold, fresh water helps keep these shipwrecks safe. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena is where you can learn about the sanctuary.
- Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan: This museum tells the story of the Alpena area. It has a planetarium and a real wooden fishing boat called the Katherine V.. The museum also shows different art, science, and local history exhibits.
- Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library: This library serves Alpena County. It has special collections, including stories from local history and old Alpena newspapers.
- Arts and Entertainment: Alpena has an orchestra, a civic theater, and the Thunder Bay Theatre. There's also the Sanctuary Cinema for movies. The historic Maltz Opera House is being restored.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Alpena has many parks where people can enjoy nature:
- Avery Park
- Duck Park
- Island Park
- Mich-e-ke-wis Park
- McRae Park
- Rotary Island
- Starlite Beach
- Sytek Park
- Thompson Park
- Washington Park
Rockport State Park is just north of Alpena. It is a large park with an old limestone quarry. You can find fossils there and see sinkholes. It is also a "dark sky preserve," which means it is great for stargazing.
Transportation in Alpena
Air Travel
Alpena County Regional Airport is the main airport for northeast Michigan. It has daily flights to Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The Michigan Air National Guard also uses this airport for training.
Railways
Alpena is on the Lake State Railway line. This line used to be the Detroit and Mackinac Railway. In the past, other railroads built for logging also served Alpena.
Bus Service
Indian Trails offers daily bus service. You can travel between St. Ignace and Bay City, Michigan from Alpena.
Main Roads
US 23 runs along the Lake Huron shoreline. It is called the "Sunrise Side Coastal Highway." North of Alpena, it goes to Rogers City and Mackinaw City. South of Alpena, it goes to Ossineke and Tawas City.
M-32 ends in downtown Alpena. This road crosses the northern Lower Peninsula from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.
Trails for Fun
- Alpena to Hillman Trail: A trail for walking or biking from Alpena to Hillman.
- North Eastern State Trail: This trail goes from Alpena all the way to Cheboygan.
Education in Alpena
Alpena Public Schools serves Alpena and most of Alpena County. It was the first county-wide school district in Michigan. The district has:
- One high school
- One junior high school
- An alternative/adult high school
- Six elementary schools (Besser, Ella White, Hinks, Lincoln, Sanborn, and Wilson)
There are also two private schools:
- All Saints Catholic School (Preschool to 8th grade)
- Immanuel Lutheran School (Preschool to 8th grade)
Alpena is also home to Alpena Community College. This college offers two-year associate degrees.
Media in Alpena
Newspapers
- The Alpena News is the local daily newspaper.
- Larger newspapers like the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are also available.
Radio Stations
Alpena has several radio stations:
AM Stations
| Call Sign | Frequency | Format | City Broadcast From |
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| WHAK | 960 | Talk | Rogers City |
FM Stations
| Call Sign | Frequency | Format | City Broadcast From |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPHN | 90.5 | Religious | Gaylord |
| WCML | 91.7 | Public | Alpena |
| WFDX | 92.5 | Off the Air | Atlanta |
| WKJZ | 94.9 | Classic Hits | Hillman |
| WRGZ | 96.7 | Classic Rock | Rogers City |
| WATZ | 99.3 | Country | Alpena |
| WHAK | 99.9 | Classic Hits | Rogers City |
| WWTH | 100.7 | Classic Rock | Oscoda |
| WMJZ | 101.5 | Classic Hits | Gaylord |
| WKJC | 104.7 | Country | Tawas City |
| WGFM | 105.1/103.7 | Rock | Cheboygan |
| WZTK | 105.7 | Oldies | Alpena |
| WWMK | 106.3/98.1 | Classic AC | Cheboygan |
| WHSB | 107.7 | Top 40 | Alpena |
Television Stations
Alpena is one of the smallest TV markets in the United States.
- Channel 11: WBKB-TV - This station shows programs from CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox. It is the only local TV station in Alpena.
- Channel 6: WCML-TV - This is a PBS station.
You can also watch other channels through cable TV:
- Cable 3: Alpena Community College educational television
- Cable 5: Alpena CW - This channel shows programs from The CW network.
Famous People from Alpena
Many notable people have connections to Alpena:
- Jesse Besser, inventor and supporter of the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan.
- Paul Bunker, a famous college football player.
- William Comstock, a former governor of Michigan.
- Bob Devaney, a well-known football coach.
- Brian Dutcher, a basketball coach for San Diego State.
- Jim Dutcher, a former basketball coach for the University of Minnesota.
- Robert L. Emerson, a Michigan state Senator.
- Stanley Grenz, a Christian theologian.
- Blaise Ilsley, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
- Lloyd R. Leavitt, Jr., a United States Air Force general.
- Betty Mahmoody, author of Not Without My Daughter.
- Harvey Marlatt, a basketball player for the Detroit Pistons.
- Andrew Marwede, a professional disc golfer.
- Arthur William McLeod, a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- Joel Potrykus, a filmmaker.
- Dan Rohn, a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.
- Paul Fitzpatrick Russell, a Roman Catholic archbishop and diplomat.
- Michael Bailey Smith, an actor.
- K. J. Stevens, a novelist and writer.
- Kevin Young, a baseball player for the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Images for kids
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Alpena City Hall
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Location within Alpena County
See also
In Spanish: Alpena (Míchigan) para niños
