RESOURCES

NOTES ON RECENT ACTIVITY: 

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Summer 2024 Harrisville Historic Train Depot Update: 
Community Support Helps Fund Phase 1 Stabilization Projects

 

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, and alongside a working rail 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 ended many years ago, providing 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 done.  For the first time our community now holds title to the property, the fate of the depot is up to all of us.

With the generous help of community donations and active volunteers, the Harrisville Depot Committee is working to save and restore the historic depot 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 Phase 1 Stabilization Projects

Noted below is a timeline of Phase 1 Stabilization efforts achieved through generous community support.  

 

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 a depot website and community GoFundMe with funds earmarked for Phase 1 Stabilization.

• The Harrisville Depot Committee launched 2023 priority, strategic in-kind and fund solicitation.

• Two pro bono  Historic Preservationists and Architects provided an overall renovation plan.

• The Harrisville Depot Committee applied for and secured a Michigan DNR grant which funded the 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, seasonal PortaPotty rental, insurance purchase.

• 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.

• Launch of Depot Committee “Work Days” with volunteers working on windows, woodwork and interior stabilization. 

• Depot grant committee research and applications, submitting 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. 

• 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 

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

• Vendor research and selection historical fencing.

• Beginning efforts to form independent nonprofit 501(c)(3)  as requested by Alcona Historical  Society

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

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

 

2024

• Harrisville Depot Committee launched continued 2024 priority, strategic in-kind and fund solicitation.

• Launch Depot Memorial Fence Panel Campaign

• Continuing volunteer efforts to form independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) as requested by Alcona Historical Society

• Spring Clean Up Days, Depot Work Days continue

• “Discover Your Depot” Friday Events community events for the community to enjoy the Depot grounds, games, refreshments. 

• Volunteer led City-Wide Garage Sale at the Depot generating substantial donations and funds. 

• Wetland Analysis and report - State of Michigan.

• Board volunteers begin terms and bylaw creation as part of continuing volunteer efforts to form independent nonprofit 501(c)(3)  as requested by Alcona Historical Society.

• 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. 

• 2nd Annual Volunteer-led City Garage Sale at the depot generating substantial donations and funds. 

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

• Roof repair

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

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Now Underway

• Continuing roof and trim repair

• Window, interior woodwork repairs

• Creation of independent Friends of the Harrisville Depot nonprofit, as requested by Alcona HIstorical Society. 

 

On the Path to Preservation

 

The Harrisville Depot Committee 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 deed and to local businesses that continue to show support.  

 

We envision the depot serving as a community hub and event venue, serving as a community resource for families, seniors and visitors who will access education and historic enrichment.  

 

You can make a difference! 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.    

 

December 2022:  Interior, Exterior Baseline Environmental Assessment conducted by Michigan DNR/Environment Great Lakes & Energy.  Funded by EGLE; all reports show no issues

 

November 2022: Established goal - The goal of saving and restoring the Depot is to provide the Harrisville community with a historically significant structure serving as a multi-use community resource facility for education, community gathering, event and performance venue, historical education, railroad/Michigan heritage, Great Lakes Heritage and Arts resource serving Alcona County residents, students, seniors and visitors. 

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Oct 1, 2022 The Alcona Historical Society meeting confirmed it serves as parent organization moving forward with the Depot project. The Alcona Historical Society formed the Harrisville Depot Committeeto facilitate this transfer of ownership and initialize steps leading to the depot's future preservation.  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."