Looking to the Past to Bring a Brighter Future

Posted on May 20th, 2020

Reflecting back on the past can sometimes help us understand our present and future. We are all encountering different, yet similar struggles during this stressful time. With the COVID-19 crisis we are experiencing now, it has encouraged families to take a step back and consider new ways of living…

Little Red Lighthouse. Photo by Judy Hart.

Our Backstory: A Historic Look at the Port City of Alpena

Posted on May 7th, 2020

The historic port city of Alpena is nestled between a vast emerald forest and a clear blue bay. Founded in 1871, Alpena began as an early commercial fishing port and soon grew to be one of the nation’s most profitable lumber harvesting locations. Lumber camps dotted the region and logs were f…

Everyone Is Irish On St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 17th, 2020

On March 17th, everyone is Irish! This week we will celebrate the annual tradition of St. Patrick’s Day and our Irish heritage by wearing green, drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage. But where did this all come from? The traditional Irish St. Patrick’s day feast consisted of p…

Sarah Carter, Alpena’s First Female Pioneer

Posted on March 5th, 2020

Mrs. Sarah Carter was a remarkable woman. As Alpena’s first woman settler, she was a true pioneer. She and her family trekked far from civilization into the vast, remote wilderness of northeast Michigan. Daniel & Sarah Carter Sarah and Daniel Carter, and their daughter Mary Lavina, bec…

Winter Forest Bathing. Photo by Paul Gerow.

10 Ideas For Winter Adventure in Alpena

Posted on January 31st, 2020

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are long over. This is the time when the full effects of a true northern Michigan winter start to wash over us, bringing feelings of cabin fever, seasonal depression, and anxiousness for spring. Try out these ideas to kick those feelings to the curb and make yo…

The Presque Isle Lodge – Defining the Destination Since 1920

Posted on July 18th, 2019

Nestled on the coast of beautiful Grand Lake halfway between Alpena and Rogers City, Presque Isle Lodge provides a peaceful escape from the stressors and hustle of big city living. The History… The Lodge was built in 1920 by Newell A. Eddy Jr., when the construction of what would become US-23 o…

Stories of Yesteryear: Remembering Alpena’s Winter Carnival

Posted on February 8th, 2019

All of this winter weather we’ve been having has a reminiscing on days gone by. Back between the early 1930’s to the 1960’s when Alpena hosted a winter carnival during the snowiest time of the year. Alpena’s first winter carnival queen, Mary Meharg 1935. Photo cour…

Street Talk: The Story Behind Alpena’s City Streets

Posted on January 11th, 2019

We’ve told you about some of the namesakes surrounding Alpena history in our previous blogs, “Alpena: What’s in a Name?”, and “The Names, the Myths and the Legends of the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes“, but have you ever wondered about Alpena’s stre…

Little Red against the backdrop of winter on Lake Huron; photo courtesy of Infinity Graphic Design

Homage to the Alpena Light

Posted on December 13th, 2018

Also known as “Little Red” and “Sputnik”, the Alpena Light has been a shining beacon through the storm for over 100 years now. Here is a little History 101 of Alpena’s one and only lighthouse within the city limits: Let’s take it way, way back to 1875. The early…

The Besser Museum Season of Light Shines Bright

Posted on November 21st, 2018

Once again, Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan has brought us the beauty of world traditions relating to Christmas. Each year during their “Season of Light” display, Besser Museum offers us a walk through nations around the world to see how diffe…