Alpena, Michigan, founded in 1840, is a town steeped in history so it is no wonder it offers at least three must-see roadside attractions. They are sure to pique your interest and provide excellent photo opportunities. Known as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, this fascinating, friendly place sits on the shore of Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay, offering outdoor adventures, great food, and excellent roadside attractions. Here are three this city is known for, beginning with a little piece of its past.

Part of the town’s interesting history comes from one of the most famous shipwrecks on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in October 1880, SS Alpena. Built in 1866, the 654-ton, single-cylinder, wood-hulled steamer disappeared during a storm known as “The Big Blow,” due to its rampant devastation throughout the Great Lakes. After being broken into tiny pieces and spread for 20 miles, its discovery was by the distinctive paddlewheels and vertical beam engine.

Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons While an exact count of the victims is not available, according to the Holland City News reporting at the time, 80 people may have been on board. Alpena Shipwreck Tours depart from 500 W. Fletcher St. in Alpena. Alpena Shipwreck Tours, 500 W Fletcher St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

Although the ship is no longer a roadside attraction, history is alive and well in Alpena. The Monarch Milling Co. began a grist and flour mill in this building in 1916.

Alpena Flour Mill LLC/Facebook By 1920 Leader and Velvo brands of flour were produced here and it was known as Alpena Flour Mills. 633 W Campbell St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

Closing the doors in 1956 left a hole as during the 40 years in operation, it played an integral part in the daily life of the community. In 1996, the mill was added to the State of Michigan Registry of Historic Sites.

Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The dream and the building’s purpose are intact with the purchase of the mill in 2019 to create a coffee shop, selling the owners’ special brand Olde Mill Coffee, which is in the process of restoration and renovation.

Another interesting historic roadside attraction is The Cannon displayed on the front lawn of Alpena City Hall. It came from the battleship USS Maine that was destroyed by an explosion in the harbor of Havana, Cuba on Feb. 15, 1898.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook In 1912, the city of Alpena requested a loan from the ship’s remains.

When the cannon arrived on May 19, 1912, it was welcomed by about 7,000 excited visitors with an “Independence Day” celebration of the unveiling.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook Folks still drive by city hall today to see this silent memorial honoring the loss of one of America’s greatest warships.

Finally, you can’t drive through Alpena without seeing the giant, brilliantly-colored 3D Fish Mural off the north side of U.S. Route 23. The art is painted on the side of a downtown building located on Chisholm Street.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook The fish are big sculptures made of styrofoam and attached to the wall. The portrayal of underwater sea life draws many visitors to Alpena, Michigan every year. 109 W Chisholm St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

Sadly in the fall of 2017, a storm destroyed the mural.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook But don’t despair — the artist Tony Hendrick repainted the mural in 2019, when the citizens of Alpena helped him paint some of the fish.

You don’t have to drive far in Alpena to see the beauty, as some of the roadside attractions follow you wherever you go.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook This best-kept secret in Michigan keeps a healthy amount of visitors any time of the year.

Hopefully you are packing your bags to visit the three must-see roadside attractions in Alpena, Michigan. And if you find yourself getting hungry, the massive prime rib at the Courtyard Restaurant is right down the road.

Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While an exact count of the victims is not available, according to the Holland City News reporting at the time, 80 people may have been on board. Alpena Shipwreck Tours depart from 500 W. Fletcher St. in Alpena.

Alpena Shipwreck Tours, 500 W Fletcher St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

Alpena Flour Mill LLC/Facebook

By 1920 Leader and Velvo brands of flour were produced here and it was known as Alpena Flour Mills.

633 W Campbell St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The dream and the building’s purpose are intact with the purchase of the mill in 2019 to create a coffee shop, selling the owners’ special brand Olde Mill Coffee, which is in the process of restoration and renovation.

Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes/Facebook

In 1912, the city of Alpena requested a loan from the ship’s remains.

Folks still drive by city hall today to see this silent memorial honoring the loss of one of America’s greatest warships.

The fish are big sculptures made of styrofoam and attached to the wall. The portrayal of underwater sea life draws many visitors to Alpena, Michigan every year.

109 W Chisholm St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA

But don’t despair — the artist Tony Hendrick repainted the mural in 2019, when the citizens of Alpena helped him paint some of the fish.

This best-kept secret in Michigan keeps a healthy amount of visitors any time of the year.

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