As an unincorporated community, Elmira has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own but does have its own postal service with the 49730 ZIP Code.

[2][3] The rural community of Elmira is located within the Northern Michigan region about 4.0 miles (6.4 km) north of the 45th parallel.

Elmira contained one of five post offices in Otsego County, along with Gaylord, Johannesburg, Vanderbilt, and Waters.

The Eureka 49730 ZIP Code remains active, but mail services are handled by other nearby post offices.

The Elmira ZIP Code also serves the southern portion of Hudson Township to the north in Charlevoix County.

[9][10] In 1873, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad began building railway lines into Northern Michigan.

By 1876, a few buildings and a store were built in the area, and William Hartwell purchased 40 acres (16 ha) of land along the railroad the following year.

[16] A post office was first established in the community on September 3, 1897, under the name Elmira with William Hartman serving as the first postmaster.

A late-night electrical fire destroyed the interior of the structure, although all mail stored at the facility was saved and taken to the Gaylord post office for prompt delivery.

The structure remains standing but is vacant, and all mail service was now handled through neighboring post offices.