Johannesburg, Michigan

Johannesburg (/ˈhænɪsbɜːrɡ/ 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]

Johannesburg, Michigan
Downtown Johannesburg
Downtown Johannesburg
Nickname: 
"Joburg"
Johannesburg is located in Michigan
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is located in the United States
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Coordinates: 44°59′8″N 84°27′21″W / 44.98556°N 84.45583°W / 44.98556; -84.45583
Country United States
State Michigan
CountyOtsego
TownshipCharlton
Settled1901
Elevation1,352 ft (412 m)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49751
Area code989
GNIS feature ID629295[1]

History

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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

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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

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Education

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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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References

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  1. ^ a b "Johannesburg". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  3. ^ "PO Locator | USPS". tools.usps.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  4. ^ "michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1887". www.michiganrailroads.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  5. ^ "xCharlton Township Charlton Township History". www.charltontownship.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools". www.jlas.org. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  8. ^ "J-l". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 July 2023.