Courtesy Photo The Harrisville Train Depot is seen in this undated courtesy photo. The depot is in the process of being restored by the Harrisville Depot Committee who have made it their mission to preserve, enhance, and maintain the historic train depot built in 1901.

HARRISVILLE — The Harrisville Train Depot is one of a handful of iconic depots of the early 20th century still viewable in Northern Michigan. To ensure that history lives on, the Harrisville Depot Committee has made it their mission to preserve, enhance, and maintain the historic train depot and its history for the benefit of the community and the general public.

The depot was built in 1901 for the Detroit and Mackinac Railway Company. At the time, wood, brick, or fieldstone were the materials likely chosen for construction. However, the community desired a more stylish approach, and a deal was made with the railway to use cut stone if the material was provided by the town. So, the powers that be arranged delivery from the local quarry to provide the necessary cut stone.

By 1906, the Harrisville depot became a busy transfer of lumber and passengers. Seven trains entered or exited the station daily, with passengers to and from Alpena, Bay City, and Cheybogan. The trains continued these routes until the convenience of automobiles entered the scene and eventually the railway trips became obsolete.

The final passenger trip occurred on March 31, 1951. Mail and freight continued for another 10 years at which time the depot became a storage area for the railway.

The depot remained abandoned until the late 1990s when the railway leased a deed, and a group effort began restoration. But, when the Detroit and Mackinac Railway Company went bankrupt, the deed was retracted, and restoration was halted.

In 2023, Lake State Railway, the active railway that passes the depot twice a day hauling aggregate, stone, and cement, sold the deed to The Alcona Historical Society for one dollar.

The Harrisville Depot Committee, a group of community volunteers raised over $30,000 with events such as bake sales, Santa visits, daffodil sales, and an annual Harrisville two-day garage sale. Two grants, totaling $2,750, were received from the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan and restoration has begun.

According to co-chair of the Harrisville Depot Committee, Becky Schroeder, “Excluding the grants, all of the money has been raised locally. The support within the community for this little building has been phenomenal.”

A main concern was water damage and leaks to the structure, so repairing the roof became priority number one.

Schroeder said, “Volunteers do a lot of the work, but sometimes you need professionals.”

The exterior walls were abused by many Michigan winters and graffiti was also in need of attention. Following National Park guidelines, a glass bead medium was applied to the very porous limestone to restore its natural beauty. Also, all the broken glass in the windows has been replaced and all other improvements are steadily moving along.

“We’ve got a lot of big stuff to do, we want the look of the depot to be reminiscent of the 1900s through the 30s or 40s,” Schroeder said. “Not necessarily a museum, but to provide historic memorabilia.”

A deed requirement to provide fencing on the trackside of the depot to prevent injury has the Harrisville Depot Committee introducing a memorial fence project fundraiser, to fulfill this obligation. Six-foot fence panels installed with a dedicated memorial plaque are available for a $500 donation. Another fundraising booth will be at the Labor Day arts and crafts fair in Harrisville this year. Located on Main Street in front of the State Farm office, people can purchase locally made and donated items.

A neighboring lot on Dock Street has also been donated by Harrisville citizens. Possibilities of future visions for this community asset may include a community center, a place to have art and music classes, or perhaps an entertainment venue, according to Schroeder.

To donate to the Harrisville Depot Committee, or to see their progress, visit them on Facebook or HarrisvilleDepot.com.