====== Alger County ======

{{:counties:alger_county.jpg?400|Alger County, Michigan}}

**Alger County** is a county in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Established in 1885 from a portion of Schoolcraft County, the county is located along the southern shore of Lake Superior and is known for its rugged coastline, forests, waterfalls, outdoor recreation opportunities, and protected natural areas.

The county seat and largest city is [[places:munising|Munising]]. Alger County is home to the renowned [[landmarks:pictured_rocks_national_lakeshore|Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore]], one of Michigan's most visited natural attractions. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

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===== Quick Facts =====

^ Attribute ^ Information ^
| County Seat | [[places:munising|Munising]] |
| Largest City | [[places:munising|Munising]] |
| Region | Upper Peninsula |
| Established | 1885 |
| Named For | [[people:russell_a_alger|Russell A. Alger]] |
| Land Area | Approximately 915 square miles |
| Total Area | Approximately 5,048 square miles |
| Population (2020 Census) | 8,842 |
| Lake | Lake Superior |

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===== History =====

Alger County was created from Schoolcraft County and officially organized on March 17, 1885. The county was named in honor of **Russell A. Alger**, a Michigan governor, United States senator, lumber businessman, and Secretary of War. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

The county's early economy was driven by:

  * Lumber production
  * Commercial fishing
  * Great Lakes shipping
  * Railroad development

As logging declined, tourism and outdoor recreation became increasingly important to the local economy. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

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===== Geography =====

Alger County occupies a large portion of Michigan's central Lake Superior shoreline.

The county is notable for:

  * Lake Superior coastline
  * Sandstone cliffs
  * Waterfalls
  * Forests
  * Inland lakes
  * Wilderness recreation areas

More than eighty percent of the county's total area consists of water within Lake Superior. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

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===== Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore =====

The county's most famous landmark is:

  * [[landmarks:pictured_rocks_national_lakeshore|Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore]]

Established in 1966, Pictured Rocks was the first National Lakeshore in the United States.

Features include:

  * Colorful sandstone cliffs
  * Sea caves
  * Beaches
  * Sand dunes
  * Waterfalls
  * Hiking trails

The park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is among Michigan's most recognizable natural destinations. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

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===== Protected Areas =====

Protected lands within Alger County include:

  * [[landmarks:pictured_rocks_national_lakeshore|Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore]]
  * [[landmarks:grand_island|Grand Island National Recreation Area]]
  * [[geography:hiawatha_national_forest|Hiawatha National Forest]]

These areas support tourism, wildlife conservation, recreation, and environmental preservation. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

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===== Communities =====

===== Cities =====

  * [[places:munising|Munising]]

===== Villages =====

  * [[places:chatham|Chatham]]

===== Townships =====

  * Au Train Township
  * Burt Township
  * Limestone Township
  * Mathias Township
  * Munising Township
  * Onota Township
  * Rock River Township

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===== Economy =====

Major industries include:

  * Tourism
  * Outdoor recreation
  * Forestry
  * Healthcare
  * Government services
  * Hospitality
  * Small business

Tourism is a major economic driver due to the county's natural attractions and public lands. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

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===== Transportation =====

Major transportation routes include:

  * [[transportation:m_28|M-28]]
  * [[transportation:m_94|M-94]]
  * [[transportation:munising_regional_airport|Munising Regional Airport]]

The county also supports recreational boating and maritime activity along Lake Superior. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

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===== Recreation =====

Popular recreational activities include:

  * Hiking
  * Camping
  * Kayaking
  * Snowmobiling
  * Fishing
  * Hunting
  * Waterfall exploration

The county is considered one of Michigan's premier outdoor recreation destinations.

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===== Notable Landmarks =====

  * [[landmarks:pictured_rocks_national_lakeshore|Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore]]
  * [[landmarks:grand_island|Grand Island]]
  * [[landmarks:miners_castle|Miners Castle]]
  * [[landmarks:miners_beach|Miners Beach]]
  * [[landmarks:munising_falls|Munising Falls]]
  * [[landmarks:au_train_falls|Au Train Falls]]

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===== See Also =====

  * [[places:munising|Munising]]
  * [[counties:schoolcraft_county|Schoolcraft County]]
  * [[counties:marquette_county|Marquette County]]
  * [[regions:upper_peninsula|Upper Peninsula]]
  * [[geography:lake_superior|Lake Superior]]

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===== References =====

  * United States Census Bureau
  * Alger County Government
  * National Park Service
  * Michigan History publications
  * State of Michigan records

{{tag>counties upper_peninsula alger_county munising pictured_rocks lake_superior}}