Harrisville, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Harrisville is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
and the county seat
of Alcona County
. The population was 493 at the 2010 census
. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township
, but is administratively autonomous. Located on Lake Huron
, it is an official Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Harbor of Refuge.
The place was first known as "Davison's Mill" after Crosier Davison, who in partnership with Simeon Holden, had purchased land and water power rights here in 1854. Benjamin Harris and his sons, Levi and Henry, of West Bloomfield, New York
. A post office established in 1857 was named Harrisville, after the family operations. It was plat
ted in 1870, incorporated as a village in 1887, and as a city in 1905.
Harrisville is on the edge of Huron National Forest, which offers outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and trout fishing. The forest contains 330 miles (531.1 km) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were separately designated, but were combined in 1945 for administrative purposes.
The Lake Huron beaches in and around Harrisville (including two state parks) have been recognized as being among the "top ten in Michigan." "Old-fashioned lake vacations abound on this pretty stretch of Lake Huron."
Harrisville is situated along the Lake State Railway, formerly the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
(D&M). The D&M passenger depot
is made of stone, which makes it one of two along the railway (the other being in Standish
). It is privately maintained by local citizens as part of the municipality's historical legacy.
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan
.
The city is on the western shore of Lake Huron
and has a harbor for recreational boaters. The harbor is a center for salmon and trout fishing. It is also a designated "Harbor of Refuge" on Lake Huron
by the US Coast Guard.
The town also boasts Harrisville State Park
, which includes a wooded campground right along the beach. It is said that this beach is spectacular.
Sturgeon Point Light Station, a lighthouse and museum is just a few miles to the north, and is open to the public.
Harrisville City Airport is 2200 feet (671 m) total length, but may be considered shorter. More complete information is available at the External links. It is located on Walker Road. A larger public airport that serves the area and has nearly all weather capability is Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport
.
of 2000, there were 514 people, 239 households, and 131 families residing in the city. The population density
was 831.2 per square mile (320.1/km²). There were 327 housing units at an average density of 528.8 per square mile (203.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.94% White, 2.14% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.97% Asian, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 239 households out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $34,286. Males had a median income of $23,625 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,983. About 9.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Meetings - Second Monday Harrisville City Hall (Fire Station next to County Bldg.)
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Alcona County
Alcona County, Michigan
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan, as its flag states "First of the 83".-History:...
. The population was 493 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township
Harrisville Township, Michigan
Harrisville Township is a civil township of Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,411 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
, but is administratively autonomous. Located on Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
, it is an official Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
Harbor of Refuge.
The place was first known as "Davison's Mill" after Crosier Davison, who in partnership with Simeon Holden, had purchased land and water power rights here in 1854. Benjamin Harris and his sons, Levi and Henry, of West Bloomfield, New York
West Bloomfield, New York
West Bloomfield is a town in Ontario County, New York, USA. The population was 2,549 at the 2000 census.The Town of West Bloomfield is on the county's western border and is south of the City of Rochester.- History :...
. A post office established in 1857 was named Harrisville, after the family operations. It was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted in 1870, incorporated as a village in 1887, and as a city in 1905.
Harrisville is on the edge of Huron National Forest, which offers outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and trout fishing. The forest contains 330 miles (531.1 km) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were separately designated, but were combined in 1945 for administrative purposes.
The Lake Huron beaches in and around Harrisville (including two state parks) have been recognized as being among the "top ten in Michigan." "Old-fashioned lake vacations abound on this pretty stretch of Lake Huron."
Harrisville is situated along the Lake State Railway, formerly the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
Detroit and Mackinac Railway
The Detroit and Mackinac Railway , informally known as the "Turtle Line", was a railroad operating in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The main line stretched from the southern hub at Bay City, to its northern hub at Cheboygan...
(D&M). The D&M passenger depot
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
is made of stone, which makes it one of two along the railway (the other being in Standish
Standish, Michigan
Standish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
). It is privately maintained by local citizens as part of the municipality's historical legacy.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...
.
The city is on the western shore of Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
and has a harbor for recreational boaters. The harbor is a center for salmon and trout fishing. It is also a designated "Harbor of Refuge" on Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
by the US Coast Guard.
The town also boasts Harrisville State Park
Harrisville State Park
Harrisville State Park is a heavily wooded state park on the shore of Lake Huron. It is located on U.S. Route 23 in Harrisville, Alcona County, Michigan. Established on a mere in 1921, it is one of the oldest parks in the Michigan State Park system, today encompassing some...
, which includes a wooded campground right along the beach. It is said that this beach is spectacular.
Sturgeon Point Light Station, a lighthouse and museum is just a few miles to the north, and is open to the public.
Harrisville City Airport is 2200 feet (671 m) total length, but may be considered shorter. More complete information is available at the External links. It is located on Walker Road. A larger public airport that serves the area and has nearly all weather capability is Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport
Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport
Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport is a public use airport located three nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Oscoda, an unincorporated community in Iosco County, Michigan, United States...
.
Major highways
-
US 23. North of StandishStandish, MichiganStandish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
, it has been designated the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway, and runs along the Lake Huron shoreline. US 23 is the most proximate connector to I-75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
, to which it connects in StandishStandish, MichiganStandish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
, about 75 miles (120.7 km) to the south. About 135 miles (217.3 km) to the north is Mackinaw City and the Mackinac BridgeMackinac BridgeThe Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...
and the north end of the lower peninsula's I-75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
. -
M-72M-72 (Michigan highway)M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower...
In 1936, downtown Harrisville became the eastern terminus of the 133 miles (214 km) M-72M-72 (Michigan highway)M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower...
, which runs across the lower peninsula from Empire, MichiganEmpire, MichiganEmpire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 378 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Empire Township.-Description:...
. It is one of three true cross-peninsular highways.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 514 people, 239 households, and 131 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 831.2 per square mile (320.1/km²). There were 327 housing units at an average density of 528.8 per square mile (203.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.94% White, 2.14% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.97% Asian, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 239 households out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $34,286. Males had a median income of $23,625 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,983. About 9.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local events
Harrisville and environs have many recurrent annual events.- Harrisville Arts & Crafts Show - Each Labor Day weekend there is a regional craft show, parade, and national jamboree often referred to as Harmony Weekend. Hundreds of exhibitors display their product to over one hundred thousand visitors. The event is sponsored by the Harrisville Arts Council and the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.
- Sunrise Side Wine and Food Festival, a Michigan tradition featuring award-winning Michigan wines, delectable local foods and artisan breads, original art show, live jazz performances and a breathtaking view of Lake Huron under the big Festival Tent at Harrisville Harbor, the third Saturday in July.
- Contemporaneous with the Arts and Crafts Show weekend, The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), has a large regional contest and meeting.
- Dragon Days (including a chili cook-off) at the Harrisville depot.
- Independence Day Parade and Fireworks – Free concerts, a parade through downtown and a spectacular fireworks display.
- Craftmaker's Cabin Arts and Crafts Show, July 5 and 6 (at the cabin, intersection of Main Street (M-72) and US-23).
- Antique Show at the Harrisville Harbor.
- Strawberry social at the Old Bailey School - Held on the last Sunday of June. The Old Bailey School is a 1907 one room school adjacent to the Sturgeon Point Light Station.
- Sturgeon Point Light Station Sanctuary Bay Sailboat Race - A fundraiser for the Alcona County Historical Society, including a community event on the beach, is held the first Saturday in August.
- Concert in the Park, Wednesday evenings during the summer at the Harbor.
City of Harrisville elected officials
- John Dobis, Mayor
- Danina Karsen, Clerk (989) 724-6666
Meetings - Second Monday Harrisville City Hall (Fire Station next to County Bldg.)
Notable residents
- Harrisville is home to the legal offices of Pamela Burt, an attorney who in 2005 succeeded in getting the Michigan Supreme CourtMichigan Supreme CourtThe Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
to throw out an appellate court's decision that had equated wayward beach walking to trespassing, while leaving intact the principle that owners of property abutting the Great Lakes own to the current water edge. - Harrisville is the summer home of author and screenwriter Judith GuestJudith GuestJudith Guest is an American novelist and screenwriter. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and is the great-niece of Poet Laureate Edgar Guest .- Work :...
. - Casey Makela, the author of bestselling books on soap making, and owner of the Killmaster Soap & Woolen Works, lives in Harrisville.
- Harrisville was the birthplace and home town of BaseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
Hall of Famer Kiki CuylerKiki CuylerHazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
, and he is memorialized on a section of M-72 and in a local baseball field.
Media
- The Alcona County Review, located in Harrisville, is the newspaper of recordNewspaper of recordNewspaper of record is a term that may refer either to any publicly available newspaper that has been authorized by a government to publish public or legal notices , or any major newspaper that has a large circulation and whose editorial and news-gathering functions are considered professional and...
, and has served the community since 1877. - The Alpena NewsAlpena NewsThe Alpena News is a general daily newspaper in the City of Alpena, Michigan. USA. It has an approximate circulation of 10,000, and is published by Ogden Newspapers Inc. News reports are available on line. The paper was founded in 1902. The paper currently has between 20 to 50 employees.It is...
is the daily newspaper of record for much of northeastern lower peninsula of Michigan. - Daily editions of the Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
and The Detroit NewsThe Detroit NewsThe Detroit News is one of the two major newspapers in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan. The paper began in 1873, when it rented space in the rival Free Press's building. The News absorbed the Detroit Tribune on February 1, 1919, the Detroit Journal on July 21, 1922, and on November 7, 1960,...
are also available throughout the area.
Further reading
External links
- Alcona County Review
- Alcona County Historical Society
- Alpena News (serving northeastern lower pensinula of Michigan)
- Enchanted forest, Northern Michigan source for information, calendars, etc.
- Harrisville City Airport information and map
- Great Lakes Coast Watch
- Harrisville Harbor, information, web cam, etc.
- How Harrisville got a Stone Depot
- Huron Shores Chamber of Commerce, with links to local concerns, events, links, merchants, etc.
- Information and links about Harrisville
- Calendar of Events, Sunrise side.
- Sunrise side travel and information