NEWS/RESOURCES

Harrisville Historic Train Depot Update: 
Community Support Helps Fund Stabilization Projects

 

(Nov. 2024) How many people does it take to save a historic depot? 

In the case of the Harrisville Train Depot, it takes an entire community!

 

The historic Harrisville Train Depot was built in 1901 and is one of few remaining passenger train depots in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. Situated within viewing distance of Lake Huron alongside a working railway line, it’s a true forgotten treasure, tucked away within the City of Harrisville.  The depot is constructed of locally sourced cut limestone and was designed by esteemed architects in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.

 

Previous local efforts to preserve the structure provided a solid starting point to move forward with preservation and site development.   While the depot has sat empty and abandoned for decades, a victim of decay, destruction, and repeated vandalism, those days are over.  T Thanks to the generosity of Lake State Railway our community now holds title to the property, the fate of our depot is up to all of us.

 

With the generous help of community donations and active volunteers, the newly organized nonprofit organization “Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot” are working to save and restore this historic site  to provide the Sunrise Side region with a historically significant structure serving as a multi-use community resource for education, events and performances, geared to Alcona County residents, families, seniors and visitors alike. 

 

Completed Stabilization Projects

Due to the generous community support, noted below is a timeline of Phase 1 Stabilization efforts.  

 

2023: 

• Lake State Railway deeded the depot to the Alcona Historical Society during a community celebration attended by 50 community members.   

• The Harrisville Depot Committee, sub-group of Alcona Historical Society,  launched www.harrisvilledepot.com and community GoFundMe with funds earmarked for Phase 1 Stabilization.

• Pro bono site survey; and Pro bono historic preservationist and architect provided an overall renovation plan. 

• The Harrisville Depot Committee applied for and secured funding through Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for a Baseline Environmental Assessment, resulting in a positive report.

• Donated funds were used to begin Phase 1 Stabilization including electrical utilities, purchase of on-site and wayfinding signage, securing the vulnerable building.

• Community donations helped the Committee research and select a local vendor for purchase, installation of updated on site security and internet connectivity to secure the structure, which is vulnerable to continued destruction by vandals.

• Depot grant committee research and applications, submitted 9 grant requests for funding. 

• On site clean-up/clean-out days attended by more than 40 volunteers.

• Summer *Discover Your Depot” Third Friday Events attended by more than 60 people to enjoy the Depot grounds, games, refreshments. 

• Volunteer led City-Wide Garage Sale at the Depot generating substantial donations and funds attended by more than 120 supporters. 

• The Depot Committee applied for and received a grant from the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan to help fund the purchase of historically appropriate fencing.

• August Silent Auction and Pig Roast - Biannual Summer Fundraising - Lost Lake Woods sold out event generating substantial donations and funds  attended by more than 130 people

• Continuation of On Site Depot Work Days for interior stabilization, window and door repair, woodwork repair. 

• Completed legal documents to seek restitution for  vandalism to the building exterior.

• Santa at the Depot Event attended by more than 40 families. 

 

2024

 

• Roof replacement to remedy failure of previous roof which incurred interior water damage, and chimney repair and installation.

• Window, interior woodwork repairs.

• Pro bono  Historic Preservationist guidance on graffiti and exterior cleaning.Vendor selection and process for full exterior cleaning of depot exterior by preservationist-approved vendor. 

• Launched and managed successful “Donate a Fence Panel” fundraising program

• Fencing purchase and installation from preservationist-approved vendor and Volunteer-led fencing installation. 

• Delivery, installation of donated steel storage container to assist with renovation projects.

• Depot Committee Volunteers Incorporated as the “Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot”, recognized as a tax exempt nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code as requested by Alcona HIstorical Society. 

• Spring Clean Up Days, Depot Work Days continue attended by 20 volunteers

• “Discover Your Depot” Friday Events community events for the community to enjoy the Depot grounds, games, refreshments attended by more than 80 people. 

• Volunteer led City-Wide Garage Sale at the Depot generating substantial donations and funds, attended by more than 120 people. 

• An on site Wetland Delineation was completed in the Spring of 2024.

• Received a property donation of an adjacent city lot on Dock Street.

 

On the Path to Preservation

 

Now in the works are the Sunday Dec. 7, 2024 “Santa at the Depot” event, more grant applications and continued renovation as part of Phase 2 Stabilization in 2025. 

 

The Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot sincerely thanks everyone who has put the Historic Harrisville Depot on a solid path to preservation.  Thank you to Lake State Railroad for gifting the depotand to our entire community, businesses and individuals alike, for their ongoing support. 

 

We’re a small but mighty group. Won’t you join us? Making a positive impact in the Harrisville community starts right where we are - with stabilization as a key strategic step to a vibrant community resource. Visit harrisvilledepot.com to join the effort! 

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Jan 17, 2023: Deed Transfer: Lake State Railway Company Representatives were at the Harrisville Train Depot on Dock Street in Harrisville to gift the historic depot and surrounding property to the Alcona Historical Society for the purpose of preservation.   Members of the Alcona Historical Society, Harrisville Depot Committee, local dignitaries, and community members were on hand to witness this long awaited benchmark in the depot's history. 

 

The historical landmark, built in 1901 from regionally sourced limestone, serviced Harrisville and the surrounding areas, carrying passengers, freight, and servicemen off to two World Wars.  Closed by the D&M in 1951, it has been shuttered and abandoned for almost 2/3rd's of its life. Quietly standing sentinel through the years while repeatedly being subjected to vandalism, abuse, and neglect.  Through it all, this quaint little building has retained its charm and elegance, just waiting for its time to shine.    

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Notes Harrisville Depot Committee Co-Chair Becky Schroeder,  "As a building of noted historical significance, eye-catching architecture and interior charm, this building is well-deserving of preservation.   As soon as the ink is dry on the deed, the Harrisville Depot Committee will be working full steam on the enormous task of fundraising."