The village of Harrietta is in Wexford County. It is spread out over two townships, Boon and Slagle.
It was first laid out on a map in 1889, and the town was officially named “Gaston” in 1891. Later, the town was renamed “Harriette” to honour Harry, a railway worker in the area, and his wife, Henrietta.
In 1900, there were 419 people living in the village. The last “e” in “Harriette” was taken out and a “a” was added in 1923. Since then, the town has been called “Harrietta,” but atlases still show it as “Harriette.”
There was a brick factory, a dentist, three doctors, two general shops and a sawmill in this once-bustling lumber town when it was doing well. Once the timber was gone, the people of the town left for greener pastures, leaving only a few people in Harrietta who decided to stay.
There are a few old shopfronts along the main road, but the village does not have any big businesses anymore. There are a few churches, a fish hatchery, and a post office.
About three and a half miles west of town is “The Mitt Shop,” also known as “Market 37.” This is where you can buy food and petrol.
Some people call Harrietta a “ghost town,” but I do not think it is right to call it that, even though my computer says it is.
Harrietta has also been called “The Poorest Town in Michigan” because the average income there is only $2,264 a year.
The more than 125 people who live in the town do not like that term; they are happy with the town and what it has to offer. They grow and hunt their own food and use wood stoves to heat their houses.
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