Johannesburg (/dʒoʊˈhænɪsbɜːrɡ/ joh-HAN-iss-burg) is an unincorporated community in Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan.[2] Located within Charlton Township, the community lies between Gaylord and Atlanta along the route of M-32. As an unincorporated community, Johannesburg has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own. However, a post office operates out of the community, with the ZIP Code 49751.[3]
History
A branch of the Michigan Central Railroad was constructed from Sallings to present-day Johannesburg in 1887.[4] The location became home to the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company, a lumbering and milling company, and a community began to develop. The community took its name from Johanna Hanson, the wife of the president of the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company.[5] A post office opened in Johannesburg in 1901, with Thorwald W. Hanson as its first postmaster.[6]
Geography
Johannesburg is located in eastern Otsego County. The community lies about 11 miles (18 km) east of Gaylord and about 15 miles (24 km) west of Atlanta. Johannesburg is part of Northern Michigan.
Major roadways
M-32 is a prominent east–west state trunkline highway serving Northern Michigan. West of Johannesburg, the highway runs through East Jordan and Gaylord, where it can be used to access I-75. East of the community, the highway runs through Atlanta, Hillman, and Alpena.
F-97 is a county-designated highway that has its northern terminus one mile (1.6 km) south of Johannesburg.
Education
Johannesburg is served by Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools. The district operates public schools within the community, as well as in the nearby community of Lewiston in Montmorency County.[7] Johannesburg-Lewiston High School is located in the community. School teams are called the "Cardinals".[8]
Images
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Downtown Johannesburg, c. 1906 -
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U.S. Post Office in Johannesburg -
Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools -
Former Charlton Township Hall -
Charlton Township Hall and Johannesburg Branch Library
References
- ^ a b "Johannesburg". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "PO Locator | USPS". tools.usps.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1887". www.michiganrailroads.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "xCharlton Township Charlton Township History". www.charltontownship.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 293. ISBN 0-8143-1837-1.
- ^ "Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools". www.jlas.org. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "J-l". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
Municipalities and communities of Otsego County, Michigan, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Village | ||
| Civil townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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