Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot

05/17/2026

Maybe someday someone will get put on the list for honoring the depot. 🙏
A $5k donation and a sit down with the folks at CFfNEM is all that’s needed to open a fund for benifit of the Harrisville Train Depot’s fabulous future !

May is “Leave a Legacy Month” – a time dedicated to reflecting on the impact we can make now, and beyond our lifetimes. It is also a time to celebrate those who have chosen to give through their will to support what they care about. We are honored to have more than 90 individuals who are part of our Legacy Society – those who have chosen to make sure their communities are supported forever. Why consider a gift through your will? To preserve your family name, honor your loved ones, provide for your heirs (legacy gifts can benefit them while also benefiting the community), for tax benefits, and perhaps most importantly, for community impact.

What will your legacy be?

05/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1282547087364462&set=a.392721619680351&type=3

🚂✨ ALL ABOARD for a little Iosco County history! ✨🚂

Check out this beauty steaming through Michigan! This is Detroit & Mackinac Railway No. 8 💨
📍 Model: 0-6-0 Switcher
🏭 Built: 1920 by Baldwin Locomotive Works #41228
⚙️ Wheel setup: 0-6-0 = no pilot wheels, six driving wheels, no trailing wheels. Perfect for yard work and switching cars!

🔥 D&M No. 8 Fun Facts:

Nicknamed part of “The Turtle Line” 🐢 because it was slow but steady
One of the first Class I railroads to ditch steam for diesel in 1948
Saved from scrap in 1954 by Cap Pinkerton II of the D&M!
Restored & steaming again in the 1970s right here on D&M rails for employee excursions
Last steamed in Iosco County: Likely mid/late 1970s 💨
Left for Dearborn in 1979: Donated to The Henry Ford / Greenfield Village along with three passenger cars & a caboose. She was probably towed, not under her own power.
Where is she now? 🏛️ Preserved at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI — currently in storage awaiting restoration
🌲 Where did the D&M run in our backyard here in Iosco County?
The Detroit & Mackinac was THE lifeline for lumber, limestone, and passengers along Lake Huron! In Iosco County it served:
📍 East Tawas - D&M had its Michigan offices + a major depot here!
📍 Tawas City - Shared the big depot with East Tawas
📍 Whittemore - Depot + elevator town on the original main line
📍 Prescott - D&M depot, beet field trains, logging spurs
📍 National City, Hale, Ausable & Oscoda - Branch lines for timber & freight

💙 The D&M connected Bay City all the way to Cheboygan, with stone depots in Harrisville and Lincoln that you can still visit today! If you lived in Northeast Michigan 100+ years ago, chances are the D&M brought your mail, groceries, and visitors!

👋 Hit the like button! Share this if you remember D&M trains rolling through town, or if you’ve visited The Henry Ford to see No. 8! Anyone remember seeing her steam in the 70s? 👇🚃💨
https://www.ioscomuseum.com/photo-scanning--printing-services.html

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

They’re here. . .
Today’s the day. . .
Time to pick up a Mothers Day Bouquet 💐

05/07/2026

Roof Stabilization Stays on Track!

The nonprofit Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot completed roofing stabilization of the 1901-era Historic Harrisville Train Depot, thanks to a generous matching grant from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) DAR Historic Preservation Grant program. The Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot was able to match DAR grant funds thanks to generous community support from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, individual and family donations, Depot Community Yard Sale and Pig Roast Fundraiser programs. Step up and be part of the renovation on June 20 & June 21 2026 Annual Community Yard Sale at the Harrisville Depot, located at 301 E. Dock Street, Harrisville Michigan. https://www.wbkb11.com/news/historic-harrisville-train-depot-receives-roofing-stabilization-through-dar-grant/article_7b187401-4c99-442b-bb1d-f0ca0ee3e6b1.html

05/06/2026

We NEED assistance!

We’ll be working on brush clearing at the depot this Thursday May 7th from 11:am - 2:pm +/-. Bring gloves, high boots, tick repellent, clippers, hand saws, etc. and a chipper shredder if you happen to have one!

Pop Up Daffodil fundraiser Friday May 8th from 4 to 7! Hoping to raise funds so we can meet and set aside a required amount for an upcoming matching grant opportunity and still have a little cash on hand to pay the power and porta john bills. 🙏

Friends of the Harrisville Train Depot is still in dire need of a person to fill the position of board secretary. One meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10:am.

Don’t forget, you can also help by donating your gently used clothing to our consignment account at the Hollyhock Emporium on Main St!

04/16/2026

We’ll be working on brush removal at the depot Friday the 17th from 10:am - 2:pm +/-.

Volunteers welcome!
Bring gloves, high boots, tick repellent, clippers, etc.

03/08/2026

I’ll be stacking brush at the depot from 2 to 4pm +/- this afternoon in preparation for future chipping. Free feel to join me for some fresh air and exercise. It’s a big year for this little beauty, so we want to spruce up her curb appeal.

Volunteer’s must sign a liability waiver before joining in, I’ll have a few available.