The biggest local stories of the last 10 years the alpena news. Scattered at the bottom of michigan s lakes, shipwrecks harbor tales of adventures and misfortunes. Henry schoolcraft named the town alpena, which somewhat translates to. Shipwreck alley rollers are proud to bring roller derby to alpena, mi. In 1800s cement, wood and heavy machinery industries of alpena stemmed from a long industrial heritage of logging industry. By the time he retired, pat had amassed one of the largest private collections of 19th century great lakes maritime history in existence. Find people and find the right business and get things done. Noaa thunder bay national marine sanctuary, alpena, mi.
Our hotel features oversized guest rooms and suites luxuriously complimented by triple sheeted pillow topped mattresses, rich furnishings and all of the amenities that you have come to expect including a microwave and refrigerator. The glassbottom boat, lady michigan, also operates out of the visitor center and offers cruises through thunder bay to learn more about the maritime history and shipwrecks of alpena. Shallow shipwreck guide when you venture out on lake huron to view the shallow shipwrecks of thunder bay national marine sanctuary, we want you to be safe. Working with charter operators we can book your dives and arrange. Experience the shipwreck century as you battle the fury of a lake huron storm aboard a 19thcentury schooner. Shipwrecks of lake michigan is a comprehensive collection of information about legendary wrecks on lake michigan 1800 to present. The story of frank mays, as told to pat and jim stayer and tim juhl. Experience scenic landscapes and a lowstress up north atmosphere yearround by living in alpena, a small community population 10,500 on the shore of lake huron that describes itself as a modern city at natures doorstep. Alpena adventures kayaking, adventures, kayaking, kayak. Visit alpena shipwreck tours on your trip to alpena or united. Explore the shipwrecks of the thunder bay national marine sanctuary. No matter your age, a discovery awaits you at the great lakes maritime heritage center. It protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from nineteenthcentury wooden sidewheelers to twentiethcentury steelhulled steamers. From books about spooky mysteries to fundraising inspiration, alpena and northeast michigan have no shortage of published authors.
Beneath michigan s waters are remnants of a bygone era. The thunder bay marine sanctuary near alpena, michigan, is the premier northern michigan diving destination for divers from across the world. The lofts at 805 place is a renovated 100 year old alpena building that includes a secure 2nd floor one bedroom loft apartment that can accommodate 2 adults. From wooden schooners to sidewheel steamers to modern freighters, the shipwrecks of thunder bay represent a crosssection of great lakes maritime history. The search for the westmoreland, lake michigan s treasure shipwreck.
Alpena shipwreck tours 2020 all you need to know before. Flexible private charter times available in may, june, september, and october outside of public cruises. Sightings of shipwrecks pieces and slab wood from alpena s lumbering days, long buried by sediment and water but now freed by the recordsetting high water levels of the great lakes, have become. Besides these industries, alpena offers to the public an abundance of businesses along with a community college and a regional medical center. A destination maritime heritage center with exhibits and programs, museums with nautical exhibits, seven area lighthouses and maritime. William boulton was born in england in 1848 and emigrated to canada with his parents in 1855, later moving to port huron, michigan. Whitefish bay is a large bay on the eastern end of the southern shore of lake superior between michigan and ontario. The shipwrecks of thunder bay constitute a microcosm of the great lakes commercial shipping industry spanning the last two hundred years. The vessel used for the tour, lady michigan, during the season is docked behind the, thunder bay marine sanctuary on fletcher street, in downtown alpena. Alpena shipwreck tours 500 w fletcher st, alpena, michigan 49707 rated 4. Oct 11, 2019 thunder bay national marine sanctuary. Learn about the history, legends and lore of thunder bay and many famous shipwrecks as you cruise the shoreline. Take a trip to discover the albany shipwreck in albany bay just north of alpena in presque isle, michigan. Shipwrecks home to the nations only freshwater national marine sanctuary, thunder bay national marine sanctuary interprets hundreds of years of nautical commerce which have created a rich landscape of maritime history and culture in the alpena area.
We use cookies on this site to enhance the visitor experience. Thunder bay scuba 4 s ripley blvd, alpena, michigan 49707 rated 4. Book stores, in alpena, mi alpena, michigan book stores. Alpena, michigan, 1992, this book examines many of the shipwrecks within the. Alpena is a home to one of the many michigan shipwreck preserves. Departing from just outside the back door of the great lakes maritime heritage. This protected area in lake huron contains some of the worlds bestpreserved shipwrecks. Molly v leaves from the alpena city marina boat ramps. Noaa thunder bay national marine sanctuary in alpena.
Dec 28, 2019 best fishing spots near alpena michigan thebookongonefishing. Experience the great lakes and their rich history, above and below the waves. Get directions to the sanctuary visitor center, located in the pleasant lake front community of alpena, sanctuary of the great lakes sanctuary staff work to actively promote uses of sanctuary resources that are compatible with sanctuary resource protection. Alpena, michigan, the county seat of alpena county, was incorporated in 1871 and was home to a large number of commercial fisheries before expanding into the logging business and eventually becoming the hub for tourism that it is today. Thunder bay national marine sanctuary shipwreck map. In 2003, pat and his wife, june, donated the collection to the thunder bay national marine sanctuary, and it is currently managed and housed in the special collections area of the alpena county library. In some cases, little remains except a few planks and ribs, while other vessels are completely intact, looking very much as they did the day they sank. The crystal clear waters and our large glass bottom viewing wells allow you to dive the wrecks. About alpena shipwreck tours explore the shipwrecks of the thunder bay national marine sanctuary. Acrevalue helps you locate parcels, property lines, and ownership information for land online, eliminating the need for plat books.
With more than 70 shipwrecks along the 65 miles of shore from harrisville, through alpena, and up to rogers city thunder bay has one of the largest concentrations of shipwrecks in the world. Great lakes divers operates a fullservice dive shop, offering sales, dive instruction, airfills, rentals, repairs, salvage, and. It is a center for industry and recreational boating, diving, fishing, snowmobiling, crosscountry skiing and hunting. Whether you want to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the great lakes, explore the many lighthouses and shipwrecks along the shoreline, or gaze at the night sky, youll want to make alpena your home base in northern michigan. Great lakes divers your full service padi dive center. Alpena another decade is about to be recorded in the history books and the last 10 years have seen no shortage of big news stories in northeast michigan.
We use all that northeast michigan has to offer from its lakes, rivers, streams and trails. Our hardhitting, family friendly events will begin april 29th at northern lights arena. Early images of the history of alpena county, michigan william boulton. This can be done over the phone by calling 8884694696 or in person at the sanctuary store, located at 500 west fletcher street, alpena, mi 49707. Thunder bay national marine sanctuary serves as one of the main attractions in town. Known shipwrecks thunder bay national marine sanctuary. Book now climb aboard seas the day a 32ft trojan for a mile journey into the famous thunder bay national marine sanctuary to the thunder bay island area.
Ship ship type build date sunk date depth notes coordinates nrhp status image albany. The great lakes behave more like an ocean than a lake. Thunder bay area soon received the name shipwreck alley because of the numerous ships that fell victim the the areas thick fog, unexpected gales, and rocky shoals. Early images of the history of alpena county, michigan. There you will be saddling up in kayaks for a 2hr adventure back in time to explore the historical shore line of thunder bay island. Discover thunder bay national marine sanctuary in alpena, michigan. Great lakes maritime heritage center, alpena tripadvisor. Alpena, mi the thunder bay national marine sanctuary, after 8 years of meetings and discussions, will be. Best fishing spots near alpena, michigan thebookongonefishing. View all hotels near great lakes maritime heritage center on tripadvisor. Grand island is an interesting place all on its own with its rich history, sandy beaches and colorful sandstone cliffs and caves. Alpena shipwreck tours friends of thunder bay national marine.
Centrally located in downtown alpena, michigan, great lakes divers has been facilitating underwater adventures in northeast michigan and lake huron for over 40 years. Alpena shipwreck tours friends of thunder bay national. Thunder bay wrecks near alpena a northern michigan. Lost ships whose stories are as intriguing as anything youll discover in an inland museum.
Great lakes shipwrecks and maritime history, alpena. Sinkholes sinkholes of northeast michigan stunningly colorful sunken forests sinkhole geology created when subsurface layers of anhydrite and gypsym dissolve, sinkholes dot the landscape in and around alpena with the countrys highest concentration of these geologic wonders. Big boy lighthouse alpena michigan closed the last time i went up there. The crystal clear waters and our large glass bottom viewing wells allow you to dive the wrecks without getting wet. The wood, cement, and heavy machinery industries of alpena stemmed from a long industrial heritage that started with logging of the 1800s. The midmichigan health, a rural regional medical center employs more of the areas residents than any other location. In hopes of sharing peoples stories with current and future generations, the special collections department, of the alpena county public library, invites you to keep a diary of living during the covid19 epidemic in northeast michigan. Thunder bay scuba is centrally located along lake hurons shipwreck alley just off of the city of alpena in lake huron.
Three hundred people lost their lives at a pivotal time in the countrys. The alpena is one of the most famous shipwrecks on the east shore of lake michigan. Departing from just outside the back door of the great lakes maritime heritage center. Changes in wind direction, incoming weather, and special equipment needs are all important things to consider before. Learn to dive shop for gear charter your dive travel with us centrally located in downtown alpena, michigan, great lakes divers has been facilitating underwater adventures in northeast michigan and lake huron for over 40 years. It begins in the north and west at whitefish point in michigan, about 10 miles north of paradise, michigan and ends at the st. The alpena escorted by two other freighters out on the open water of the.
The collection reflects transitions in ship architecture and construction, from wooden schooners to early steelhulled steamers, as well as several unusual vessel types. Dining out with family dont know where this is located, but love it. Maritime center, century of shipwrecks the featured exhibit at the great lakes maritime heritage center is exploring the shipwreck century. The alpena sank in lake michigan in the big blow storm on october 15, 1880, with the loss of all on board. Alpena goes missing on the michigan shipwreck research associates website great lakes maritime history. Thunder bay national marine sanctuary and underwater preserve is a united states national marine sanctuary on lake hurons thunder bay, within the northeastern region of the u. All i can do is lie on the raft and endure, mays says in. Discover their stories as you dive and snorkel michigan s freshwater lakes. When you venture out on lake huron to view the shallow shipwrecks of. It is located near michigan s railstotrails, restaurants, delis, bars, and local night life.
Shipwreck tours glass bottom boat munising, michigan. This can be done over the phone by calling 8884694696 or in person at the sanctuary store, located at 500 west fletcher street, alpena, mi. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every. Alpena shipwreck tours, 500 w fletcher st, alpena, mi 2020. Eat ice cream portage general store and portage pizza shoppe next to the presque isle state harbor, alpena downtown scoops. The crystal clear waters and our large viewing wells allow you to dive the wrecks without getting wet. The sinking of the lady elgin sounds like a movie script. The vessel disappeared in october, 1880, during a storm known as the big blow due to the devastation it caused throughout the great lakes.
Shipwrecks, nature and more to visit in alpena livnfresh. During our 2 hour cruise you will experience the magnificently preserved shipwrecks and. Alpena shipwreck tours two hour cruises are offered to a wide variety of groups and individuals. Lady michigan will take you on a comfortable adventure into the heart of lake hurons shipwreck alley. Situated in northern michigan, alpena is a popular destination for tourists during summer. Thunder bay wrecks near alpena a northern michigan diving. The, alpena shipwreck tours, is a great way to explorer the many shipwrecks that are at the bottom of, lake huron during the season, of course without getting wet. Torn apart in what was called the worst gale in lake michigan recorded history, the alpena remains one of the most famous lost ships of the great lakes. Finding a wreck lost in the great lakes deadliest storm a.
With more than 70 shipwrecks along the 65 miles of shore from harrisville, through alpena, and up to. Tbnms protects a nationally significant collection of historic shipwrecks. Wisconsin shipwreck lady elgin was part of civil war history. If you love adventures, pack your bags for alpena michigan. The familiar feeling of up north michigan is everywhere with new things to see and do. Explore the shipwrecks of the thunder bay national marine sanctuary on our glass bottom boat tours. Alpena, michigan the beauty and fun of northern michigan.
About alpena settled in 1840 at the head of thunder bay, alpena served the booming lumber enterprises in the late 19th century. The acrevalue alpena county, mi plat map, sourced from the alpena county, mi tax assessor, indicates the property boundaries for each parcel of land, with information about the landowner, the parcel number, and the total acres. Mays wrote the 2003 book if we make it til daylight. Alpena shipwreck tours booking unavailable on tripadvisor.
Tour the shipwrecks of thunder bay in a glass bottom boat. Alpena shipwreck tours 2020 all you need to know before you. Overlooking lake hurons stunning view of the thunder bay alpena, michigan is a city and county seat of alpena county that was incorporated in 1871. Shallow shipwreck guide, lake huron, alpena michigan. A short guide to the shipwrecks of thunder bay,thunder bay underwater preserve, alpena, michigan, 1992, this book examines many of the shipwrecks within the boundaries of lake hurons thunder bay underwater preserve. Noaa thunder bay national marine sanctuary facebook. Alpena, michigan is a haven for nature lovers along the western shoreline, beach towns across lake michigan from chicago teem with dune hikers, standup paddle boarders, and oenophiles sipping their way toward the grapevinetwined peninsulas of.
Whitepages is the largest and most trusted online phone book and directory. Thunder bay maritime heritage center bring your friends and family and dive into our great lakes past. A glassbottom boat named lady michigan started to call alpena and thunder bay home, offering tours of the dozens of shipwrecks preserved in the marine sanctuary, still the nations only. A thick layer of devonian limestone and shale, known as the traverse group, lies beneath the surface. The alpena shipwreck tours glassbottomed boat lady michigan beginning her cruise to the shipwrecks of the noaa thunder bay national marine sanctuary. Alpena white pages phone books in michigan mi whitepages. Perched right on the shores of thunder bay, alpena is northern michigan s gateway to lake huron. List of shipwrecks in the thunder bay national marine.
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