Alpha, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpha, Wisconsin
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 Alpha, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Burnett |
| Town | Wood River |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area codes | 715 & 534 |
Alpha is a small, unincorporated community in Burnett County, Wisconsin, United States. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town. It's located in the western part of Burnett County, in the northwestern part of Wisconsin. Only a few families live here.
History of Alpha
Alpha was first settled by people from Scandinavia, especially from a part of Sweden called Småland. Because of this, the community was first named Småland Prairie. However, the United States Postmaster General didn't approve this name.
The person in charge of the post office in Alpha was also a buttermaker. He couldn't think of a new name for the town. So, he simply used the name of his Alpha brand cream separator. That's how the community got its unique name!
The postmaster's butter business grew into the Burnett Dairy Co-op. This dairy processed so much milk that the extra whey (a liquid from cheese-making) made the nearby stream look creamy. This is why the stream is now called Buttermilk Creek.
The Alpha Store was a general store that stayed open for a long time. It was owned by the Anderson family for many years. Gordon Anderson, the last owner, sold all sorts of things. You could buy shoes, groceries, and even television sets there. Today, the building is a shop that fixes small engines.
Where is Alpha Located?
Alpha is about 70 miles southwest of Minneapolis and St. Paul. These are the closest big cities. Alpha is located right on Highway 70. It's 5 miles east of Grantsburg and 10 miles west of Siren.
The area around Alpha is mostly flat and has very fertile farmland. Buttermilk Creek flows through the community, running next to the highway. It joins the Wood River about one mile west of Alpha. The stream is small enough to jump over. It almost never dries up, even in summer. The creek drains a large, shallow wetland area east of town, known as the Falun Meadows.
What's in Alpha?
The biggest employer in Alpha is the Burnett Dairy Co-op. This dairy is famous for making string cheese. Next to the cheese factory is a store. Here, you can buy dairy products, groceries, and souvenirs. The Co-op also has a feed mill and a hardware store. The old general store building is now a small engine repair shop.
Alpha also has a bed and breakfast where visitors can stay. There is an elementary school that is part of the Grantsburg School District. You can also find an Evangelical Covenant Church and the Wood River Town Hall in Alpha.
