Johannesburg is an unincorporated community in Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. 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.

History

A branch of the Michigan Central Railroad was constructed from Sallings to present-day Johannesburg in 1887. 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. A post office opened in Johannesburg in 1901, with Thorwald W. Hanson as its first postmaster.

Geography

Johannesburg is located in eastern Otsego County. The community lies about 11 mi east of Gaylord and about 15 mi west of Atlanta. Johannesburg is part of Northern Michigan.

Major roadways

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. Johannesburg-Lewiston High School is located in the community. School teams are called the "Cardinals".

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