ALGER COUNTY
County Offices
101 Court Street
Munising 906-387-2076
www.algercounty.com
Chamber of Commerce
114 W. Superior Street
Munising 906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
Surrounded by sparkling Lake Superior, scenic Alger County serves as the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Hiawatha National Forest. Small rural communities offer a cherished quality of life in this pristine vacation wonderland on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Services
Parents will appreciate the commitment to education in Alger County, where public and private schools provide a quality education. The opportunities for a higher education are abundant close to home, including Bay de Noc Community College (commonly known as Bay College). Situated on a campus that covers 150 acres, the college serves more than 5,000 credit students each year, including those completing baccalaureate and master degree programs sponsored by partnering universities. Gogebic Community College in Ironwood is another Upper Peninsula choice for two-year studies. Sault Saint Marie is home to Lake Superior State University; Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton; and Northern Michigan University is in Marquette. Finlandia University in Hancock is distinguished as the only private institution in Northern Michigan.
Comprehensive healthcare is available right in Alger County at Munising Memorial Hospital, part of the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network. This outstanding system features the Upper Peninsula Health Plan, recently ranked among “America’s Best” by US News & World Report. The Upper Peninsula Telehealth Network is another advantage of the system, providing core services in clinical telemedicine, professional education, and administrative communications between more than 40 sites. Munising Memorial Hospital is a 40-bed, acute-care community hospital that provides 24-hour emergency care, general and specialty surgery, home health, specialty clinics, advanced imaging and lab, and a multidisciplinary rehabilitation center. The hospital owns a home care agency and provides a wide range of therapies. Health screenings and education programs range from childbirth preparation to nutritional counseling.
Lifestyle
Vacationers, seasonal residents, and newcomers are drawn to breathtakingly beautiful Alger County, home of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and other natural wonders. This scenic region extends along the southern shore of Lake Superior for more than 80 miles, drawing throngs of visitors to local attractions and four-season outdoor recreation. Hiawatha National Forest is an extremely popular destination for bird-watchers and outdoor adventurers. The Grand Island National Recreation Area is only one-half mile offshore from the leading city of Munising, an attractive place for a full day’s mountain biking or a backcountry stay overnight. The Alger Underwater Preserve offers several unusual diving and viewing attractions in an area where the cold waters of Lake Superior and Munising Bay prevent algae growth. Along with sea caves carved from wave action, the visible remains of more than a dozen shipwrecks are remarkably intact within this “underwater museum.” In the winter months, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, showshoeing, and ice climbing are all popular pastimes.
The leading city and county seat of Munising is home to Lakenenland Sculpture Park and unique shops, while the community of Christmas features Kewadin Casino and top-notch entertainment and dining. The city of Munising also manages several parks including a marina and Tourist Park with lakefront camping sites. One of the city’s more recently developed attractions is an open-air ice rink. Little wonder that Disney named the Upper Peninsula among the “50 Best Family Vacations” in the company of destinations like San Diego, Orlando, San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, and Hawaii. Friendly people, excellent customer service, superb recreation, community events, and natural beauty are just a few of the elements that make this area so appealing. The residential options are diverse in Alger County, ranging from acreage properties to upscale condominiums or single-family homes in a variety of sizes and styles. Newcomers to this area soon discover what local residents have always known: An unparalleled quality of life that grows richer with each passing year.
AuTrain Township, Au Train, Christmas
Town Hall
906-892-8265
http://autraintownship.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
Au Train Township borders the Munising area, supporting residential development as well as tourism in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest. The unincorporated community of Au Train is situated on Lake Superior just 12 miles from Munising and 9 miles west of Christmas. Year-round sports include swimming, boating, fishing, camping, waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and winter sports. Beautiful sandy beaches, Au Train Lake, Au Train Falls, and the slow-moving Au Train River are some of the major natural features. The river is especially popular for kayaking and canoeing for the safety of its quiet waters and the abundance of wildlife and natural beauty. Christmas is home to a popular casino but also attracts visitors to celebrate the holidays in true “Christmas style.” The town began with a holiday gift factory but evolved into a resort area and center for snowmobilers. The Bay Furnace Park, a national forest campground and picnic area, is also located in this area.
Mathias Township, Trenary
Town Hall
906-446-3333
Chamber of Commerce
906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
The unincorporated village of Trenary in Mathias Township is well-known for its Outhouse Classic, a popular event that includes a parade and a race of customized outhouses on runners held each February. Originally a sawmill town that grew into a farming community at one time, this small but colorful town features scenes from the past in lively paintings on the side of buildings. The Trenary Farmer’s Co-op remains today and continues to be cooperatively owned and operated. The sense of community pride is strong in Trenary, where the Lions Club built a park east of town. The few businesses in town are located along Trenary Avenue with the community building situated at the eastern edge of the town. Newcomers will find a very small but engaged community surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation.
Munising City
City Offices
906-387-2095
www.cityofmunising.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
Rich in history and breathtaking history, the city of Munising serves as the healthcare, education, governmental, and commercial hub of Alger County. The city is home to Munising Memorial Hospital, bringing advanced healthcare to the entire area. Public and private schools provide a quality education, and residents of all ages enjoy access to the resources at the local library. Munising provides a healthy and pristine environment along the shores of Lake Superior where families can raise their children, vacationers can enjoy first-rate hospitality, and retirees can enjoy a serene atmosphere. The city maintains several lovely parks that include tot lots, a skateboard park, Munising Tourist Park with its lakefront campground, Centennial Arena, and the Bayshore Park & Marina. Community service organizations and an active local government bring a progressive attitude toward development, revitalization, and historic preservation, ensuring a bright future for the city and the entire county.
Munising Township, Wetmore, Shingleton
Town Hall
906-387-4404
http://munisingtownship.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
The city of Munising is situated in the northwestern corner of Munising Township but remains a municipality governed independently of the township. Nevertheless, Munising Township is home to nearly as many people as reside in the city and provides expanded residential options “close to town.” Wetmore is one of the unincorporated villages in the township and offers many cabins and accommodations that are nestled in the Hiawatha National Forest. Snowmobiling is extremely popular in the Wetmore area. Shingleton is located at the end of the Seney Stretch, a straight 30 miles across flat swampland. Many residents of the town are employed at a nearby lumbering operation that logs pines and manufactures telephone and utility poles.
Rock River Township, Chatham Village
Township Hall
906-439-5360
Village Hall
906-439-5608
Chamber of Commerce
906-387-2138
www.algercountychamber.com
Situated in central Alger County approximately 10 miles west of the leading city of Munising, Rock River Township is anchored by the village of Chatham where the town hall is located. This rural, scenic area is home to freshwater streams and marshes and the main attraction of the Au Train River, where dams have created opportunities for recreational boating and fishing. Camping and picnic facilities are available nearby the dam just east of Chatham. The township enjoys a premier location adjacent to the Hiawatha National Forest and Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park is just a few miles to the west. An early lumber camp in the Chatham area led to the development of a State Agricultural Experiment station, which continues today under the direction of Michigan State University. Highlights in Chatham include a striking, three-story1904 limestone hotel that now offers a popular restaurant and the historic Chatham Cooperative IGA that still sells groceries and hardware. Residents enjoy the warmth and friendliness of a small-town atmosphere as well as a number of conveniences and close proximity to restaurants and attractions.
