Alger County is named for Russell A Alger, who was a Governor of Michigan and a United States Senator.
Surrounding County and Canada Courthouses:
N – Lake Superior and Ontario, Canada
E – Luce County and Schoolcraft County
S – Delta County
W – Marquette County
Created: March 17, 1885
County Seat:
Au Train 1885 – 1901
Munising 1901 – present
County Courthouse – Munising
Location: 101 Court Street / West Jewell Street
Built: 1979 – 1980
Style: Modern
Architect: G Arntzen & Company of Escanaba
Contractor: Olsen and Flath and Brandt Construction
Description: The building faces north and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located in the center of Munising. The building has a one story overhang on the northwest corner with concrete header and recessed entrance. The second story is recessed on the north and west sides. The building has a flat roof. In the interior, the County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the west side of the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial District, County District Court and County Probate Court.
Note: The County District Court also sits in Manistique at 300 Walnut Street in Schoolcraft County.
See: The 11th Judicial District includes Luce County, Mackinac County and Schoolcraft County.
History: The county was created in 1885 and Au Train was selected as the county seat. In 1885, the county met in the Au Train Hotel. The first courthouse was a two story frame structure built in 1887 at a cost of $5,300. The county seat was moved to Munising in 1901. The second courthouse was designed by Demetrius Frederick Charlton and constructed by Northern Construction Company in 1902. The courthouse burned on November 16, 1978 and offices were located in rented premises. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1979 to 1980 at a cost of approximately $3,000,000. Moe’s Excavating was hired for $9,860 to salvage material from the old courthouse.
See: Michigan’s County Courthouses by John Fedynsky
County Courthouse – Munising
County Circuit Court courtroom
Commissioner Minutes – 1979 construction
Picture 1902 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2008 and 2010