If you own a building downtown, the words Historic District Commission might sound a little intimidating. Does it mean someone might have something to say about the color you paint your building? Could changes to a storefront require review? Does “historic” mean everything has to stay exactly as it is? The answers aren’t necessarily simple,…
In 1904, this corner was empty. A Sanborn fire insurance map of downtown Harrison shows a large vacant lot at the northwest corner of Main and Rush with a simple notation: “U.S. Gov’t & Post Office Building to be erected.” By 1905, it was there. The three-story Federal Building at 201 N. Main Street was…
When we talk about preserving historic downtown buildings, it can be easy to imagine preservation as keeping everything exactly the way it was. But downtowns have never worked that way. They are places of commerce, entertainment, work and community. Businesses come and go. Needs change. Buildings are remodeled and reimagined. Sometimes a building serves essentially…
If you’ve driven past Rush Plaza at the corner of Rush Avenue and Walnut Street, you might think you know the building. Step inside, and it’s a different story. There’s the soaring two-story interior. The unmistakably mid-century ceiling. Brass railings. An enormous old bank vault. And wrapped around that vault is a mural depicting one…
When people walk through downtown, it’s easy to notice the buildings that are waiting for their next chapter. What many people don’t realize is that some of those next chapters are already being written. Behind construction paper on the windows, fresh paint, stacks of lumber, and the sound of hammers, business owners are investing in…
When was the last time you looked up while walking downtown? Most of us are focused on getting where we’re going. We notice the storefronts, the traffic, and the businesses we plan to visit. But some of the most interesting features of downtown Harrison are above eye level. Decorative brickwork, ornate cornices, transom windows, and…