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…
When people hear the word design, it’s easy to think about flowers, fresh paint, attractive storefronts, and other things that make downtown look good. Those things matter. But in the Main Street Four Points Approach, Design is about much more than appearance. Design is about the place itself. It’s the historic buildings that give downtown…
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…
I’d walked past the entrance at 117 N. Main Street numerous times without ever noticing the plaque beside the door. Then one day, I did. The cast-metal plaque is mounted beside the recessed entrance, partially hidden beneath a newer door frame. Only a few letters remain visible. They appeared to read J.J.J., perhaps followed by…
The Lyric Theater recently received its Main Street Harrison mini-grant check, continuing a long tradition of people investing in one of downtown Harrison’s most important landmarks. For nearly a century, the Lyric has adapted to changing times while giving Harrison a place to gather. It began as a theater built for an exciting new kind…
A strong downtown benefits far more than the businesses located within it. Downtown is often the heart of a community. It’s where history, commerce, government, culture, and community life come together. When that heart is healthy, the effects can be felt throughout the entire city. Historic downtowns help create a sense of place. They give…
At this month’s HHBA meeting, attendees heard from Kelly Lindberg about the restoration of the future home of Lemon & Rye on Main Street. When people see a beautifully restored historic building, they often see the finished product. What they don’t see are the months of planning, research, funding applications, partnerships, and problem-solving that happen…