Alpha, Michigan

49902

Alpha is a small town located in southern Iron County, in Mastodon Township. It is supported mainly by businesses in the greater Iron River and Crystal Falls area to the north and functions primarily as a bedroom community. It is uniquely situated on a hill overlooking Alpha Creek, with a "Circle" as the center of town, directly in front of the old school building and Mastodon Township Hall.

This community originated as an iron mining town when Alfred Breitung from Marquette opened the Mastodon Mine here in 1882. Originally called Mastodon, a post office remained open under that name until 1888. Later in 1913, a new post office was opened, this time named after a letter of the Greek alphabet, which, like several other communities in Michigan, was a common way for postmasters to name towns at that time. It was organized as a village in 1914.