In 1908, Stephen Carver started construction of the Corvallis and Alsea River Railway Company. The line reached this little settlement, named because of its location near the top of one of the foothills of the Coast Range, when money ran out. The situation is not particularly alpine in character but is attractive nevertheless. The community took its name from the Alpine School. This school had been operated with the name for several years prior to the time the community was started. The railroad was sold to the Southern Pacific Company in 1912. The post office was established the same year and finally closed in 1976.