Alpine Township 49321

Alpine Township Population: 2000(13976) 1990(9863) Change(4113)

Before early settlers came to what is now Alpine Township, Indians are believed to have lived here. Information from 1838 indicates that there were Ottawan Indian campgrounds that were primarily used, most likely, for the sugar harvest, as sugar maples were abundant in the western area.

Open Houses on Third Sundays from 2-5 PM Alpine was established by the first settler, Solomon Wright, in 1847 - over 150 years ago. Many early settlers were of German descent. Alpine was so-named because of the pine forest near Cranberry Lake ('All-Pine'). At that time, sawmills were constructed because of the high demand for lumber.

Alpine Township became a chartered township in 1979 under Michigan's Charter Township Act. In 1996, it returned to general law status in order that any attempt at annexation must be presented to the State Boundary Commission.

Write up courtesy of www.alpinetwp.org/