The Alden Depot Museum

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The Alden Depot Museum HONORING OUR LOCAL HISTORY! In 1890 the Chicago and West Michigan railroad became the Chicago and North Michigan Railroad.

We have displays on local history, railroad history, exhibits about families and businesses, a restored caboose and box car and a train room full of model trains for young and old alike. A railroad line, traveling from Traverse City following the Chain of Lakes north to Bay View above Petoskey, was built. The logical route would have been straight north through Elk Rapids, instead, William Alden Smith used his influence to establish a route that went east through Williamsburg and Barker Creek then north through Rapid City and Spencer Creek north east to Bellaire and then north to Bay View. In 1881 statistics show that the United States held 571 acres of land in Antrim County. The state of Michigan held 12,369 acres and the railroad held 146,207 acres, much of which was up for sale. William Alden Smith knew the railroad would cause the population in the area to increase bringing more business to the railroad. It would also take business away from their rival, the Grand Rapids and Indiana line. As construction of the railroad continued, William Alden Smith remained a friend of Spencer Creek and was always available to help the community. Grateful citizens decided to rename Spencer Creek in his honor and in 1891 it became known as Alden! The first train depot was built in approximately 1892 and the railroad incorporated into the Pere Marquette in 1900. Alden came alive with the arrival of the railroad. In 1904 the “Resort Special” began operations. The Alden Depot was abuzz of activity with “summer people” arriving and departing and was soon known as the “leading summer resort between Grand Rapids and Charlevoix”. More tickets were sold with a destination of Alden than any other spot along the line! After the original depot burned down in 1907, the current depot was built in 1908.

WW1 letter written by Charlie Angell to his brother in law.
10/15/2026

WW1 letter written by Charlie Angell to his brother in law.

Anyone have information to add? Interesting that it is addressed to the man who ran the business.
10/12/2026

Anyone have information to add? Interesting that it is addressed to the man who ran the business.

10/09/2026

The museum will be open at 10am on Saturday and be open until 4 for the Fall Festival. Get your passport at the Village Center. Get it stamped at the stores and museum and enter to win prizes. This is our last day to be open. As you sort through stuff this winter keep the museum in mind, especially the family center. Make copies of photos, letters etc to be placed in your family folder at the center so in the future people will remember your ancestors. See you in the spring!!

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Here is the 1939 directory for those asking to see it.
10/02/2026

Here is the 1939 directory for those asking to see it.

The Alden Depot Museum will be open and participating in the Fall Festival. Get your punch card at the Village Center, d...
10/01/2026

The Alden Depot Museum will be open and participating in the Fall Festival. Get your punch card at the Village Center, do some shopping and stop in at the museum! A perfect day. Maybe you will even win a new grill!

The mystery of "Mary's Beach" has come to an end. Remember earlier when we "thought" Mary Armstrong, related to Leo Arms...
09/30/2026

The mystery of "Mary's Beach" has come to an end. Remember earlier when we "thought" Mary Armstrong, related to Leo Armstrong, might be the answer and found out we were wrong? Well, it is a different Mary Armstrong!! She was born Mary Susan Folston in 1862. She married William Philipson Armstrong in 1906. He was 21 years older than her and died in 1913. That is right about the time she bought the property just south of the Tyler Street public access. She is listed in the 1939 Directory of property owners around Torch Lake. She would have been 77 years old. She died in 1941. At that time the Alden property would have changed hands. She lived in the Grand Rapids area and is buried with her husband in the Ada Cemetery. How she came to own a house on Torch Lake is unknown. There does not seem to be a connection to her husband and the local Armstrongs, but maybe? My grandma said an older lady named Mary lived in that house and now I know she was right!!

Mark your calendars for October 4th at 2pm to hear Paul DeLange's presentation on the Tyler Addition to the Alden Plat M...
09/17/2026

Mark your calendars for October 4th at 2pm to hear Paul DeLange's presentation on the Tyler Addition to the Alden Plat Map. He will have photos and interesting pieces of history to share. Location is the Community Center. This presentation is sponsored by the Alden District Library with cooperation by the Alden Depot Museum.

09/06/2026

Our garage sale was very successful! Thank you for the support we get from our community. FYI: a debit card was left behind with the name Nancy Berg. If you know her let her know it is at the museum. We are Open today until 4.

08/31/2026

We have decided to have a garage sale on Saturday September 5th as a fundraiser sale while the Art Show is also going on in the park. We have quite a few items, books, games and puzzles, train layout, train parts and pieces, some vintage camping gear, some household and so much more. We also have a display case we no longer are using. Start time is 9am and will go until 4. One day only. Come out and support the Alden Depot Museum and if you are not interested in buying, the museum will be open at 11.

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Address

10670 Coy Street
Alden, MI
49612

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