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The Johannesburg Manufacturing Company created a state of the art lumber operation and incorporated the village in 1901. The town was named for Johanna Hanson Bay, sister of Rasmus Hanson. (His mother's name was also Johanna Hanson, but his sister and her husband Rasmus Bay moved to Johannesburg and became the company store managers.) Hanson's son, Thornwald was the first postmaster for three days...he then turned the job over to Mr. Welch. Rasmus Hanson, Nels Michelson and Ernest Salling owned and operated several lumber related businesses around northern Michigan. Johannesburg was the last they founded together. By the time Johannesburg was founded the three founding fathers were elderly. Hanson and Michelson's sons managed the operation in Johannesburg. Frank Michelson, Nels son built a beautiful home for his family in Johannesburg. Bess, his wife was quite active. In 1813 the company purchased balloons for the annual 4th of July celebration. They cost $3.75. This was a lot of balloons. The average wage at the mill at that time was around $26 a month. Most of the homes and commercial buildings were owned by the company. Rasmus Hanson's sister Mary Rassmussen and her husband build the hotel, the largest commerial building in town. Frank Michelson build another large commercial building that housed many businesses. It was a brick block structure...the only building constructed from brick. Later the brick block building house the school for many year. In 1929 the company closed it's doors..one month prior to the big stock market crash. They sold all the homes and buildings they owned. Today the company store remains. It has been vacant for many years. In 2009 it was placed on the National Register of Historic places. - S.J. Schiller

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