The area now known as Evergreen Cemetery began as locally known as "The Burial Ground," a pine barrens unsuitable for farming. The Alpena Township Department of Health purchased the original 20 acres of land in 1866 from Daniel Carter. Informal record keeping began then but there were earlier burials prior to 1866. The area may have been the site of Native American burials before the first community members arrived. It was Alpena Township who first managed and operated the Burial Grounds and then transferred ownership to the City Of Alpena in 1873. This original area was 20 acres in size and makes up what is now known as the “Original Section and Blocks 1 thru 13. Subsequent purchases of land were recorded, all with the recorded Deed restriction “For the Purpose of a Burial Ground or For the Purpose of a Cemetery.” The majority of early pioneers and community developers are buried here- a Who’s Who of Alpena County early growth. There are significant historical design characteristics to view and enjoy. (Courtesy of Marcia Simmons, "For The Purpose of a Burial Ground, the Early History of Evergreen Cemetery, Alpena, MI", 2019)
