Courtesy photo An artist rendering of the cannon displayed at the Alpena City Hall.

The Alpena Bi-Path, as a manifestation of the original Alpena Sculptured Bikeway and Walkway, represents far more than traditional public art. For many years–during a period when no new traditional sculptures were added–the focus shifted toward expanding the pathway’s physical reach. What began as a modest route grew into roughly 18 miles of pathway, weaving throughout the community and tracing the natural contours of the river’s footprint and the wildlife sanctuary at the center of our community.

While many of the more recent sculptures emphasize wildlife, nature, and community history, the period between those additions saw a different kind of enrichment: the placement of historic artifacts, monuments, and memorials by a wide range of community donors. These installations broadened the Bi-Path’s cultural footprint, grounding it firmly in the broadest sense of the humanities and honoring the deep interconnections among the arts, memory, and civic identity at the very center of a healthy and vibrant community.

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Alpena Bi-Path–a legacy born of America’s Bicentennial movement–and reflect on the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the United States again finds itself engaged in global tensions and military commitments abroad.

The solemnity of the present offers a natural pause to consider the military artifacts and memorials along the Bi-Path, each a point of remembrance that anchors national history within our local landscape. Among the most significant are the cannon on the City Hall lawn, the Civil War memorials, Little Flanders Field, and the comprehensive war memorial on the Alpena County Courthouse lawn.

What follows is a snapshot of these installations, with a couple of artistic impressions by Chad J. Szatkowski, a local artist who helped illustrate the Alpena Bi-Path Booklet for the Thunder Bay Arts Council’s effort to document all installations along the Alpena Bi-Path.

USS Maine Armament (c. 1898)

Location/Sponsor: Alpena City Hall Lawn / Alpena Chamber of Commerce & City of Alpena

The cannon displayed on the City Hall lawn is an armament from the battleship USS Maine, destroyed by an explosion in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The incident served as the catalyst for the Spanish-American War. When the ship was raised in 1912, Congressman George A. Loud of Michigan forwarded Alpena’s request to receive a piece of the vessel. The U.S. Navy granted the loan, and the 6-inch gun arrived in Alpena on May 19, 1912. Its Independence Day unveiling drew more than 7,000 visitors. Few American cities can claim an artifact from the Maine, making this silent memorial especially notable.

Three-Inch 50-Caliber Dual Purpose Naval Deck Gun (c. 1940-1948)

Location: Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan

Used by the U.S. Navy during World War II as the primary armament for vessels smaller than destroyers–and by the U.S. Army as an anti-tank weapon–this gun also has a strong Alpena connection. The Besser Company produced parts for this weapon during WWII, and the mount closely resembles those manufactured locally. The gun was loaned to the Besser Museum in 1978.

War of 1812 – Civil War – Spanish-American War Memorial

Location: Evergreen Cemetery

Honors two War of 1812 soldiers, nine Civil War veterans, and two Spanish-American War veterans.

Alpena County Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Location/Sponsor: Evergreen Cemetery / SUVCW Lockwood Camp #139

Honors Alpena County’s Civil War soldiers and sailors.

Island Park World War II Monument (1946)

Location: Island Park

Dedicated by the Alpena Sportsmen’s Club when the island–now Island Park–was known as Sportsmen’s Island. Its inscription:

“Lest We Forget–In humble gratitude, this Island Park is dedicated as a memorial to the valiant veterans of World War II – June 9, 1946.”

Alpena War Memorials (1956)

Location: Alpena County Courthouse Lawn

This memorial honors Alpena County residents lost in:

– Spanish-American War

– Civil War

– World War I

– World War II

– Korea

– Vietnam

– Desert Storm

– Afghanistan and Iraq

Its inscription reads:

“Let us hold in honored memory those from Alpena County who gave their all in the service of our country in its wars to preserve our freedom.”

Bicentennial Veterans Memorial – Little Flanders Field (1976)

Location: Evergreen Cemetery

Established after World War I and expanded to include 167 crosses honoring service members from the Civil War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The site includes memorials for POWs, MIAs, and victims of Agent Orange.

Veterans Memorial Park Memorials (1995)

Location: Veterans Memorial Park

A memorial stone and plaque dedicated to those who served and those who continue to serve.

Fallen Soldier Memorial Monument (2009)

Location: Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan

Depicts the traditional battlefield cross–boots, rifle, and helmet–arranged to honor a fallen service member. Sculptor Richard Rist, a U.S. Navy veteran, created the piece to remind viewers of the real cost of war.

For information about these historical artifacts, monuments, memorials, and other sculptures, check out the Alpena Bi-Path Booklet at thunderbayarts.org.

A Moment of Reflection

Across its history, the United States has engaged in numerous military conflicts — roughly 200 by some scholarly counts–though only five wars (in a total of 11 declarations) have been formally declared by Congress:

– War of 1812

– Mexican-American War

– Spanish-American War

– World War I

– World War II

Notably, the US Civil War is not included, as Congress declares war on foreign powers.

As we commemorate Bi-Path’s 50-year legacy and approach the nation’s 250th year, it is fitting to reflect on the sacrifices these memorials represent in their contexts and as legacies of our nation’s evolution. Each installation stands as a reminder of service, loss, and enduring pursuits — integral chapters in the broader story of our community’s engagement with the nation’s experiences and its story — a path through time.