Alpena County

Alpena County is an administrative division in northeastern Michigan that spans both land and water. The region includes several parks such as Beaver Lake Park and Long Lake Park, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Michigan legislators established this territory in 1840 as Anamickee County before renaming it just three years later. The new name drew from terminology developed by linguist Henry Schoolcraft.

The Besser Museum presents regional artifacts and exhibits that document how communities developed across the county. Through these collections, visitors can learn about the people and industries that shaped daily life here.

The region features several parks for outdoor activities, including Beaver Lake Park, Long Lake Park, and Sunken Lake Park. These locations remain accessible throughout different seasons and support activities like hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

The name came from linguist Henry Schoolcraft's invented terminology, which he applied while naming places across this region. Schoolcraft created many geographic terms that remain in use throughout Michigan today.

GPS coordinates: 45.01762,-83.66700

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30