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Harrisville Train Depot Gifted to Alcona Historical Society

Built in 1901, the Harrisville Train Depot on Dock Street was constructed in order to carry servicemen to and from wars in World War I and II. It spent 50 years in service before being shut down in 1951.

Since then, the building has laid dormant, being subjected to vandalism and neglect. But now, the Alcona Historical Society is looking to change that.

“It has some of the old woodworking, and it just has a ton of interior charm that we just really need to save and preserve for the future,” said Becky Schroeder, Co-Chair of the Harrisville Depot Committee.

The committee is hoping they can turn the depot into a historical remembrance point, as well as a place the community can gather and hold events.

“I would like to see a large pavilion outside, gazebos, really make this into a park–like area so it would be the perfect place for venues, weddings, parties, community events, dances, and all those kinds of things where everybody can be involved, and actually come in and enjoy their depot,” Schroeder said.

The committee is currently looking to raise funds in order to make these visions reality, and they’ll need some help. They want to turn the property into a building that everybody can love.

“You can feel it when you think back, our service members who got on the train and went off to World War I and went off to World War II, and those few that didn’t get to come back. To think of how it was when everybody got on that train, and they left their small town and their loved ones behind, you know, how can you not feel that?” Schroeder said.

Tuesday at 1 pm, Lake State Railway Company representatives will officially deed it to the Alcona Historical Society.