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Cities named Alpena — count ‘em, all four

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Downtown Alpena, Michigan shown on a Wednesday afternoon.

ALPENA — Numerous cities and villages share the same name across the nation.

The World Atlas, for example, shows Washington 88 times, Springfield 41, and Dayton 28.

With an uncommon name, however, America boasts just three municipalities and one unincorporated region called Alpena. In addition to Alpena, Michigan, you can find Alpenas in Arkansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

Both the Michigan and South Dakota namesakes are located on or near the globe’s 45th Parallel, halfway between the North Pole and Equator.

All four Alpenas have a strong heritage, established by European and Scandinavian immigrants. They all have a history on railroad lines for the agriculture and lumber industries.

Courtesy Photo The Alpena Chainsaw Art gallery is seen in downtown Alpena, Arkansas in this photo provided by the village.

They offer a roster of famous and not-so-famous individuals.

And at least one — possibly two — Alpenas got their names from Alpena, Michigan. The other got its name from a typo.

Here’s a roundup of America’s other Alpenas:

ALPENA, ARKANSAS

Located in northwest Arkansas, Alpena Pass has a history dating to 1826.

Courtesy Photo The post office in Alpena, South Dakota is seen in this photo provided by the village.

According to an article provided by John Cantwell, chairperson of the Alpena Historical Society, a clay brick engraved with “LA 1826” was dug up. In consultation with the University of Arkansas and local authorities, it was theorized the “LA” meant “Louisiana”, for the region was part of the Louisiana Purchase territory. The brick might have been a commemorative keepsake for the Declaration of Independence’s 50th anniversary.

In the region, Carrollton was the population center. As the Missouri-North Arkansas Railroad’s tracks were laid, Carrollton was literally relocated in 1908 to where Alpena Pass was built. Cantwell said the new community was constructed upon a scattered graveyard.

In the early years, the village and region produced railroad ties and cotton.

There are two theories on how the village of 400 residents received its name. The first is that the town was named after a railroad cook. The other is that a railroad employee had a wife called Alpena. That couple possibly had ties to Alpena, Michigan.

By the 1950s or early 1960s, the Pass was dropped from the village’s name.

Courtesy Photo The Alpine Lodge and Restaurant in Alpena, West Virginia is seen in this photo provided by the town.

Cantwell said the local school district’s 12-person band received top state competition honors. He added that Alpena offered an impressive 25-minute Christmas parade.

According to the Alpena Pass website, the village has its own local government, educational system, and 20-plus businesses.

The region has a nearby lake noted for prime fishing.

Individuals from the Alpena, Arkansas region were the abolitionist Carry A. Nation, the outlaw Jesse James, and gangster Pretty Boy Floyd.

ALPENA, SOUTH DAKOTA

The village was first platted in September 1883 by C.H. Prior, who was appointed superintendent of the railroad. According to historic records, he named the newly established community after his hometown, Alpena, Michigan.

The rail line was an important source for the agriculture industry to move crops and livestock to market.

The community, with 250 residents, is just off Route 281.

Like Alpena, Michigan, it is located near the 45th Parallel. It continues to serve the agricultural industry with transportation and storage. Alpena, South Dakota’s skyline is dozens of storage silos. The village has its own local government and volunteer fire department.

The community offers a bank, convenience store, Methodist church, post office, community park, and pool. The local school ceased operation and consolidated with another system.

Jean Ferguson, of the Dunham Historical Society, located in nearby Wessington Springs, revealed that, according to the now-defunct Alpena Journal newspaper, for years prior to 1902, Alpena, South Dakota enjoyed the distinction of being the state’s largest shipping point. The small community shipped massive carloads of cattle, hogs, poultry, and grain.

The community has two major businesses that jointly employ well over 1,000 people.

One is Stan’s, established in 1964, which is a major agriculture fleet trucker, as well as a crop and swine producer. Also in town is Jack Link’s Beef Jerky. The 140,000-square-foot Jack Link’s complex produces 800 units of beef jerky per minute.

Both companies’ trucks and products serve the nation.

The region is noted for its outstanding pheasant hunting.

A famous individual who hails from the region is the late Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today.

ALPENA, WEST VIRGINIA

Located in West Virginia’s Randolph County, the unincorporated village of Alpena, West Virginia was primarily founded by immigrants from Switzerland and Germany. One account, in a late 1870s Swiss print advertisement, stated, “Come to West Virginia — a land flowing with milk and honey and is already a prospering place.”

Originally settled as Alpina, the village was located at the foothills of Shaver’s Mountain. Nearby is Spruce Knob, the state’s highest elevation, at 4,863 feet.

Chris Mielke, executive director of the regional Beverly Village Center, stated that, in 1879, more than 100 Swiss and Germans arrived in West Virginia, travelling to the settlements of Helvetia and Webster. The families then journeyed to temporary housing in Alpina. After a harsh winter, about seven families stayed in the new community.

Mielke added that, in June 1861, the Union and Confederate forces had a major conflict at Rich Mountain. It was a significant union victory for Maj. Gen. George McClellan, propelling him to later command the Army of the Potomac.

The name change to Alpena occurred as a typographical error at the U.S. Post Office or with a Washington, D.C. government filing.

When lumbering was major, the area offered the Glady and Alpena Railroad, established in 1910.

Alpena is located on Route 33, about 12 miles east of Elkins, a community of 7,000-plus.

With a small population of under 100, Alpena, West Virginia comprises housing and the multi-story Alpine Lodge and Restaurant (also known as the Alpena), which was established in 1939.

The community is in the Monongahela National Forest.

Nearby activities include a vast array of festivals, train excursions, hiking, cross country skiing, and an impressive variety of museums, retail establishments, and restaurants.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO and frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds. He is a former Alpena, Michigan resident and resides in suburban Detroit.

Population of the four Alpenas

Alpena, Arkansas: 400

Alpena, Michigan: nearly 10,000

Alpena, South Dakota: 250

Alpena, West Virginia: Less than 100

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