ALPENA
Alpena is the cultural and social hub for Presque Isle and Hubbard Lake and a great place to live. A large town but without the stress and over population.
Alpena borders on Lake Huron and is 15-20 miles from 3 large inland lakes supporting fishing, boating and many water activities. Its cultural life is provided by two very active museums, two live theatres, a historical downtown and other artistic opportunities for enjoying Alpena’s beauty. It is part of a region that is often called the Sunrise Shore, and truly everyone can enjoy life and recreation via sports, hunting, fishing, golfing, and skiing activities.
With the mild, inviting temperatures in summer, communities and visitors specially gather to enjoy a wild variety of sporting, and cultural events. Fish tournaments such as the Brown Trout Festival in Alpena, and the Salmon Festival, in Presque Isle neighboring town Rogers City are famous. Many others account locally for the variety of lake and river fishes. The quality and number of golf courses has also earned Alpena a special mention.
From its farming are,the Alpena Farmers Market (989-356-6422, located behind the City Hall) can provide a delicious picnic of fresh and organic produce from the local farmer’s work all throughout the summer.
Alpena is also famous for its abundance of strawberries and earned itself a mention in the 1994 Guiness World Book of Records for the largest Strawberry Shortcake. In August, the tradition continues and the yearly contest rewards the inventive cooks.
Blues Festival, Summer Book Club, Antique Day, Snow Mobile Drag races, Canoe races,Art exhibits in the streets of Alpena, the list is so longthere is something for everyone to be enjoyed during all four seasons.
Culturally, the Alpena Theater, which is located in a historic building in "Old Town" Alpena, provides a year-round schedule of programs, including mainstage productions, in-house and touring children's shows and drama workshops. The theatre is committed to entertaining its audiences with high-quality productions, utilizing its resident professional company, augmented by community talent.
Alpena is also home to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, which is the world's only freshwater underwater sanctuary & preserve and covers about 600 acres of wildlife sanctuary, making it a unique experience.
This is a thriving community with the highest percentage in the state of mining and construction employment.The industrial community produces cement, limestone, paper and machinery, and many tourist oriented businesses. The expansion of services in the health care department has also provided also numerous employments.
With the unemployment rate and crime rate well below the national average, Alpena City and its neighboring town, is a first rate place to enjoy the American country living and its natural beauty at its very best.
LOCATION
Local and regional highways, M-72, M-65, M-32 and I-75 connect Alpena from the north, south and west.
Alpena nearest cities are Saginaw, 150 miles, Flint, MI (180 miles), Detroit, Mi (250 miles).
Alpena is 19 miles from Hubbard Lake, 36 miles from Roger’s City, and 186 miles from Detroit, Mi.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Highway I- 75 and US 23 link Alpena to the North and South of the state of Michigan. The Alpena County Regional Airport is a nice facility to connect with the bigger towns and the rest of the world.
BRIEF HISTORY
An old French map dated 1688, gives us the first record of the location of Alpena on the Lake Huron’s coastline at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. Its name, “partridge” in Indian, was chosen to illustrate the abundance of fowl in the region.
A very active lumbering port, Alpena was thriving in the early 1900’s and many of its architecture tradition of well-preserved homes can be seen in historical Downtown.
The rough waters of Thunder Bay, over time accounts for more than 160 shipwreck.
Because of the lack of salt and therefore rust, many of the shipwrecks are well preserved in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
And can be explored by scuba diving, or by the videos provided.
EDUCATION
Alpena offers many elementary, private, junior high and high schools and provides a high standard of education.
But Alpena’s is mostly known for Alpena Community College (ACC) which offers educational programs, technical training, and cultural opportunities to all of Northeast Michigan. Over 2000 students enjoy a quality of instruction that makes this college a rare educational opportunity in this state. On line courses now connects virtually anyone who wants to profit from its many levels of degrees and of subjects offered.
Alpena Community Colleges
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