Harrisville

Harrisville. . , In September 1846, fisherman Simeon M. Holden and his boat's crew, Robert McMullen and William Hill, were driven by a northwest gale from their fishing ground at Thunder Bay Island and made land at the High Banks of AuSable, now called Springport. Being detained by the gale, they took the opportunity to explore the newly-found country, which they found to be abounding in excellent pine trees, suitable for fish barrel staves, as well as abundant springs of pure, cold water. Mr. Holden resolved to occupy it for a fishing station, and soon moved his family there., Mr. Holden and partner, Crosier Davison, purchased the pine lands and water power (present Mill Pond) in 1854 and built a small water mill and commenced the first manufacture of lumber. Years later the pair sold their business to Benjamin Harris and his sons Levi O. and Henry H. The mechanical genius of Levi soon transformed the mill from one saw to a steam gang and siding mill. The new village was named "Harrisville" after this enterprising firm., In 1859 an application was made to and granted by the Board of Supervisors of Alpens County to be organized into a township. Harrisville was platted in 1870, organized into a village in 1887, and became a city in 1905., Because of wood construction, the majority of business buildings in town perished over the years due to fires. Thomas Cook Insurance and the old Post Office are two of the oldest surviving buildings., The photographs here are representative of the businesses in Harrisville throughout its history. The City of Harrisville continues to thrive as a business district and county seat of Alcona County., Captions for the 1870 Harrisville Street Map are listed out of numerical order. , 4. Electric Theatre opened in 1909 for entertainment events and vaudeville shows; later became the Liberty Theatre and the Harris Theatre , 3. Old Post Office built in 1890 , 2. Harrisville Dock Company established in 1869. , 1. Mill Pond and water Mill built in 1854 for the first manufacture of lumber. , 5.State Fish Hatchery opened in 1920 , 7. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pizer at Pizer Variety Store built in 1924; Post Office relocated there in 1935 , Harrisville Street map -1870 , 6. Thos B Cook Insurance Co. purchased Silverthorn jewelry building in 1922 , 8. Conklin Service Station, built in 1930, with addition of Conklin Cafe in 1934 , 9. Ford Dealerships at this location starting in 1925 include Miles Main, Steadman Bros., Cosco and LaMarte, later with Teeple's Friendly Service , 10. Harrisville Harbor was dedicated on August 5, 1961, Dedicated as an Alcona Historic Site on October 8, 2016. , This sign sponsored by , The Alcona Historical Society , Barbara (Conklin) Wiggle, site nominator . City of Harrisville . Jaqueline Conklin . Marlene J. Conklin . David H. Cook, Attorney at Law . Dave and Rebecca Denski and Family . The Drewett Family . Harbormaster and Mrs. James R. Ferguson, USCG (Ret.) . The Freer Family . In memory of Doris A. Gauthier . Chad Harvey . Roger Lemons State Farm Insurance . Moosetales ® Judy and John Seabase . The Pizer Family . Mr. and Mrs. Kyle and Nicole Potvin . Edward and Recta (Conklin) Schroeder . Ross G. Teeple, Jr.