Harrisville, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrisville, Michigan
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| City of Harrisville | |
Intersection of US 23 and the terminus of M-72
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Location within Alcona County
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 Harrisville, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Harrisville, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County |  Alcona |
| Platted | 1870 |
| Incorporated | 1887 (village) 1905 (city) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.63 sq mi (1.64 km2) |
| • Land | 0.63 sq mi (1.64 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 437 |
| • Density | 691.46/sq mi (266.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48740
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| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-36860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0627866 |
Harrisville is a small city in Michigan, USA. It's the main town, or "county seat," of Alcona County. In 2020, about 437 people lived there. This makes it one of Michigan's smallest cities! Even though it's surrounded by Harrisville Township, the city runs itself. Harrisville sits right on the beautiful Lake Huron. It's even a special "Harbor of Refuge" for boats, recognized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Contents
History of Harrisville
This area was first known as Davison's Mill. That's because Crosier Davison and Simeon Holden bought land here in 1854. They wanted to use the water power.
Later, Benjamin Harris and his sons, Levi and Henry, bought the land. They were from West Bloomfield, New York. On September 16, 1857, a post office opened here. It was named Harrisville, and Levi Harris was the first postmaster.
The Harris family later sold the land to Weston, Colwell & Company. This company had H.G. Rothwell plan out the community in 1870. Harrisville officially became a village in 1887. Then, in 1905, it became a city.
Pizer's Variety Store, which used to be called The White Store, was a well-known shop. It was located at the corner of Lake Street and Main Street.
Geography and Natural Beauty
Harrisville covers about 0.61 square miles (1.6 square kilometers) of land. It's considered part of the Northern Michigan region.
Lake Huron and Outdoor Fun
The city is on the western shore of Lake Huron. It has a harbor where people can dock their boats. This harbor is a popular spot for fishing, especially for salmon and trout. The United States Coast Guard has also named it a "Harbor of Refuge" on Lake Huron. This means it's a safe place for boats during storms.
Harrisville is also home to Harrisville State Park. This park has a wooded campground right along the beach. A few miles north, you can find Sturgeon Point Light. This is a historic lighthouse and museum that you can visit.
Nearby Forests and Trails
The city is close to the Huron National Forest. This large forest offers many outdoor activities. You can go hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing, and trout fishing. The forest has about 330 miles (531 kilometers) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were once separate. But in 1945, they were combined for easier management.
The beaches around Harrisville, including those in the state parks, are very beautiful. They are known as some of the "top ten in Michigan." Many people enjoy old-fashioned lake vacations on this lovely part of Lake Huron.
Railroad History
Harrisville is located along the Lake State Railway. This used to be the Detroit and Mackinac Railway (D&M). The old D&M passenger depot, built in 1901, is made of stone. It's one of only two stone depots along this railway. Local citizens now take care of it to preserve the city's history.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 549 | — | |
| 1890 | 987 | 79.8% | |
| 1900 | 403 | −59.2% | |
| 1910 | 444 | 10.2% | |
| 1920 | 460 | 3.6% | |
| 1930 | 438 | −4.8% | |
| 1940 | 437 | −0.2% | |
| 1950 | 485 | 11.0% | |
| 1960 | 487 | 0.4% | |
| 1970 | 541 | 11.1% | |
| 1980 | 559 | 3.3% | |
| 1990 | 470 | −15.9% | |
| 2000 | 514 | 9.4% | |
| 2010 | 493 | −4.1% | |
| 2020 | 437 | −11.4% | |
| Source: Census Bureau. Census 1960- 2000, 2010. | |||
In 2020, the city of Harrisville had a population of 437 people. This makes it one of the smallest cities in Michigan.
Who Lives in Harrisville?
According to a 2022 survey, there were about 500 people and 225 households in Harrisville. Most residents (97.6%) were White. About 2.2% were from two or more races. Around 6.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of age, about 17.6% of residents were under 18 years old. A large portion, 36.2%, were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was about 54.1 years.
Many families in Harrisville have a long history in the area. People living here often have roots from different European countries. The most common backgrounds include English, German, and Irish ancestry.
Getting Around Harrisville
Main Roads
- US 23: This highway runs along the Lake Huron shoreline. It's called the "Sunrise Side Coastal Highway." US 23 connects Harrisville to I-75 in Standish, about 75 miles (121 km) south. I-75 then goes all the way north to the Mackinac Bridge.
- M-72: Downtown Harrisville is the eastern end of M-72. This highway stretches about 133 miles (214 km) across the lower part of Michigan, all the way to Empire. It's one of only three highways that go completely across the lower peninsula.
Bus Service
Indian Trails offers daily bus service. You can catch a bus from Harrisville to places like St. Ignace and Bay City, Michigan.
Airports
Harrisville has a small city airport. It's about 2,200 feet (671 meters) long and located northwest of the city. For bigger planes and more flights, the Oscoda–Wurtsmith Airport is nearby.
Fun Events in Harrisville
Harrisville is home to the famous Glenview Clydesdales, which are large, beautiful horses. The city also hosts an annual Barbershop festival called Harmony Weekend. This event usually takes place in early September and features many singing groups.
Famous People from Harrisville
- John T. Frederick: He was a professor of English literature at the University of Notre Dame and wrote many books. He is buried in Harrisville.
- Kiki Cuyler: A very famous baseball player who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. A section of M-72 and a local baseball field are named after him. He once owned a local bar called Ki Cuyler's Bar and Grill, which was a popular spot before it burned down in 2018.
Local News and Radio
Newspapers
- The Alcona County Review is the local newspaper for Harrisville. It has been serving the community since 1877.
- The Alpena News is a daily newspaper that covers much of northeastern Michigan.
- You can also find daily editions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News in the area.
Radio Station
- WXTF-LP is a local radio station in Harrisville.
Images for kids
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Harmony Weekend 2007, Parade
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Harmony Weekend 2007, Craft Show
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Harmony Weekend 2007, Men's Full Chorus
See also
In Spanish: Harrisville (Míchigan) para niños
