The village of Harrisburg developed near the corner of Truman and 32^nd Avenue.  When the TS&M rail line laid its track between Sparta and Slocum in 1888, a depot was established in what would become known as Harrisburg.  The Harrisburg post office was opened on December 8, 1888.  William H. Harrison served as the first and only Postmaster.  The Harrisburg Post Office closed February 28, 1907.

A small community quickly grew near the depot and post office.  Two general stores were opened, one on the north side of Truman and one on the south side.  A school was established and operated until 1958.

Since the railroad tracks passed through Harrisburg at an angle, it meant crossing the tracks twice when traveling to or from Ravenna, once on 32^nd Avenue and again on Truman Street.  To avoid this double crossing, a road running parallel to the west of the tracks was constructed from 32^nd Avenue to Truman Street.  This “bypass” is still in use today, marking the route of the TS&M  tracks through Harrisburg and vicinity.  The rail line was abandoned and the tracks removed in 1940.