Alanson is a village in Littlefield Township, Emmet County, in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge is about twenty-five miles to the north.
The village is bifurcated by Crooked River, which enters the village in the northeast and exiting in the south-central part of the city before emptying into Crooked Lake, just south of Alanson. US Highway 31, which becomes Burr Avenue in Alanson, is west of the river, roughly paralleling it. McPhee Creek empties into the river in the southern part of the village.
The village was settled in 1875. On January 17, 1877, a post office was established there, with Hollis Frayer as its first postmaster. At that time, it was known as Hinman. In 1882, Abner S. Lee, the primary landowner, platted the townsite and cleared an area between the present depot and the river. On June 22 of that year, it was renamed Alanson for Alanson Howard, grandson of W.O. Hugard, president of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, which had just extended its tracks through the village.
The railroad brought several tourists, who stayed at the hotels and inns that were built to accommodate them. The first hotel was constructed by G. Ormsby. Early hotels included the McPhee House, The New Inn, and the Buckeye House. General Lew Wallace, Judge K. Landis, and Judge A. Anderson were responsible for the development of several cottages and resorts, primarily along Burt Lake.
Alanson was incorporated as a village in 1905, during the Michigan lumber boom. That same year, the Pellston Electric Company sold power to the Alanson Wooden Ware Company, but also distributed power to homeowners at a fixed rate.
On three consecutive summers, between 1908 and 1910, the village was struck by fires that destroyed both businesses and homes.
Today, the village offers seasonal activities, including boating, fishing, motorcycling, skiing, snowmobiling, and hunting. Surrounded by the Mackinaw State Forest, several outdoor activities are available, including several miles of hiking trails.
The focus of this category is on the village of Alanson, Michigan. Websites focusing on the village are appropriate for this category, of course, but so are those representing local businesses, organizations, churches, schools, and individuals.
Categories
Services & Industries |
 
 
Recommended Resources
Located on Burr Avenue (US Highway 31), the Alanson, Michigan library is featured here, including its hours of operation, contact information, holiday closings, and other announcements. Library board members, meeting notices and minutes are posted, along with library policies and programs, catalog and patron accounts, an introduction to its Friends of the Library group, and other services and resources. Links to other online library resources are included.
http://www.alansonlibrary.org/
The public school for Alanson, Michigan offers a PK-12th-grade program, including preschool and after-school child care until 6:00 pm. Its elementary, middle school and high school staff are introduced, along with its support staff and special education staff, with links to the websites of some of its teachers, as well as to the school’s sports site. Office hours and contacts are also posted, and a district calendar, health documents, and other school forms may be downloaded in PDF format.
http://www.alansonvikings.net/
Artesian Springs RV Resort Community
The family-oriented campground in Alanson, Michigan offers nightly, weekly, or monthly rate options, with each site offering sewer and water hookups, 30 and 50 amp power availability, Spectrum Basic cable television, and WiFi Internet access. Seasonal rates are posted, along with a campground map, a guide to local restaurants, attractions, recreational opportunities, and nearby events, guest testimonials, and contact information. Several photographs are included.
http://www.artesianspringsrvresort.com/
Located in Alanson, Michigan, the guest lodging facility offers standard rooms overlooking the Crooked River, standard spa rooms, two-bedroom suites, large spa rooms, suites that can accommodate up to four, or up to twelve guests, and its River House, which is available with a 3-night minimum rental. Interior and exterior photos are displayed, and its policies and amenities are posted to the site. Special lodging packages may also be available.
https://www.crookedriverlodge.com/
Founded in 1994, the veterinary clinic features four exam rooms, two treatment tables, a separate surgical suite, isolation kennels, and room for more than a dozen in-patients. The clinic also has a freestanding barn with two stalls and stock for horses and livestock. Clinic services are outlined, and its location, hours of operation, appointment policies, and client reviews are published to the site, along with informational articles on a variety of topics related to pet care.
http://www.mapleriveranimalclinic.com/
The family-owned recreational vehicle dealership has been in business for more than forty years, including Sprinter, Hideout, and Capri RVs, as well as a selection of pre-owned RVs, a full range of Century truck caps, Extang covers, and Blue Ox hitch systems. Its new and used inventory may be viewed online, and quotes may be obtained through the site. The Alanson, Michigan dealership’s parts and service departments, finance options, hours of operation, and contacts are included.
https://www.ranchrv.com/
The Soap Box Kitchen, in Alanson, Michigan, is a small goat farm in which the goats’ milk is used to produce goat-milk soap, which is available for purchase online. Its milk-based soaps are sold in 2.25 x 1 x 2.5 inches, weighing from 4-5 ounces, with natural oils included in every bar. Photos and prices of available soaps are displayed. Also offered is body butter. Intended to be used as moisturizing lotion, its body butter includes avocado, meadow oil, tea, and lemongrass.
http://www.soapboxkitchen.com/
Situated along the Crooked River, the village was incorporated in 1905. The official municipal website presents a brief profile and history, along with a greeting from its mayor, and an overview of village services and departments. Upcoming events are highlighted, with schedules and announcements, and a directory of local businesses is included, with links to the websites of those which have an online presence. A visitor’s guide features local attractions and events.
https://www.villageofalanson.com/