Coin

Certified 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 at the Clinton Presidential Library.

Accepting the plaque and highway signs on behalf of Coin 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, board president; Paul Morris, assistant chairman; Angela Harris, Larry Harris, Bobbie Bailey, Mayor of Alpena; Pat Fields and Fred Massengale.

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

Coin at one time was a thriving community having a canning factory, school, livery stable and post office. The produce (tomatoes) for the canning factory were grown on a nearby farm, which is 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, Coin is made up of private homes and farms.

Right: This building previously housed the Coin Post Office.

Above: The old Coin School Building now houses the Coin Baptist Church. The school was dissolved around 1948, and the students were given the option of attending the Alpena or Green Forest School Districts.