Walk Through Historic Harrisville
Explore beautiful historic buildings in Harrisville on the scenic Harrisville Heritage Route Trail. With breathtaking views along Lake Huron, the Harrisville Heritage Route Trail combines the best of the county’s urban walkways and local greenspace and includes a 2.5 mile pedestrian and bicycle trail. Follow portions of Lake, Church, and Main Streets, with connections to the trails of Harrisville State Park on the north end and Harrisville State Park on the south end. If you’d rather bike than walk, the State Park has bike rentals available for $10 per day and also has three wheel trikes available.
View some of the most historic buildings in the region and see what makes Harrisville so charming. Starting at Harrisville Harbor, the first location you catch sight of will be the old Post Office. The building has experienced much of Harrisville’s history, including surviving two fires in the 1920s, and seeing the town’s first woman postmaster. Across the Street, the Alcona County Review is a 1907 building and is also the longest operating business in Alcona County. Next, on Main Street, the Harbor Master’s House is a pre-Prohibition Era home originally built for the Medor family. At different times in history, it’s been used as a boarding house for teachers, nurses, and once acted as a hospital for pregnant women unable to journey to Tawas or Alpena. At 2nd St. and Main, you will find the Hollyhock Quilt Shoppe. Built in 1866 as the Alcona House Hotel, it is one of the oldest buildings in town; after a fire decimated the town, the Shoppe (like the Old Post Office) was one of four buildings to survive. Stop for a unique place to shop at Craftmaker’s Cabin, a Depression-era project which has formed into a conglomeration of craftsman, consigners, and artists. Admire the curved log staircase handrail and massive stone fireplace inside as you browse handmade arts and crafts.
End your loop walk back at Harrisville Harbor for a spectacular view of Lake Huron or stroll through the Harrisville State Park before you travel back to the Huron House. For more information on the Harrisville Heritage Route Trail, visit the website and plan your trip today.
Harrisvillle Harbor
1 Harbor Drive
Harrisville, MI 48740
989.724.5712
