Location: Alpena, MI - Fletcher Paper Company/Abitibi

The Fletcher Paper Company mill was located north of the Thunder Bay River along Alpena Bay in the city of Alpena. The company was started in 1886, and this plant was built after 1910 and had several buildings and locations.

The plant was served by the Alpena & Northern railroad and then the Detroit & Mackinac. It likely received service from the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena around 1915 for a brief period.

Photo info: Top, the plant looking southeast in an overhead view. This drawing gives some indication of the rail service here. Bottom, a photograph of the mill from Alpena Bay.

Notes

As early as 1884 and prior to 1910, the location of this plant was the Gilcrest Lumber mill and boomage. [SBM]

The Fletcher Paper Company was located on the north side of the Thunder Bay River and was started in 1886. It operated until closing in 2000, or 114 years. During this period, it changed hands to Abitibi (1957), Louisiana Pacific (1999) and DPI (2004). It made paper, paneling, pegboard, and marker board.

Fletcher also owned buildings along the north side of the river. All were served by the Alpena & Northern, and then the Detroit & Mackinac railroad in 1895.

Time Line

1979. July. Police in riot gear cleared about 100 strikers from the railroad tracks outside Abitibi Corp's lumber mill. There were no arrests or injuries. Police said members of Local 4260 of the International Woodworkers of America lined up on the tracks to prevent a D&M train from picking up a shipment of hardboard products. Strikers had vowed to stop any train attempting to pick up or make deliveries to the plant. Police said the train left the mill without picking up the shipment. The union has been on strike since May 28. Supervisors have been operating the plant at 20% of capacity. [DFP-1979-0712]