Coin

Recognized Firewise Community/USA

The Coin Firewise board was formed March 16, 2006, and the community became an officially recognized Firewise Community/USA on July 19, 2006. A luncheon and recognition ceremony honoring their achievement was held Dec. 14, 2006, at the Clinton Presidential Library.

Accepting a plaque on behalf of the community was Beth Randleman, Alpena Fire Chief. Also pictured are John Shannon, State Forester; Tony Siciliano, Arkansas FireWise Consultant; Patricia Siciliano, Arkansas FireWise Consultant; Michele Steinberg, Firewise Communities Support Manager, and Don McBride, Assistant State Forester-Protection.

Coin Firewise board members include Beth Randleman, president; Paul Morris, vice president; Angela Harris, Larry Harris, Bobbie Bailey, Alpena Mayor; Pat Fields and Fred Massengale.

Coin was established in the late 1800s, and was named for a school started around 1898. The building remains standing, and currently houses the Coin Baptist Church.

At one time, Coin was a thriving community with a canning factory, school, livery stable and post office. The produce (tomatoes) for the canning factory was grown on a nearby farm, currently owned by F.M. Massengale, until in 1963 when the MN&A Railroad was dismantled.

The school was dissolved around 1948, and all the students were given the option to attend either Alpena or Green Forest. Currently , the community is predominately private homes and farms.