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 Dr. Joe Bennett talks about downtown Harrison, he does not have to imagine what the square was like in the 1930s. He was there. His memories reach back to a downtown filled with stores, restaurants, buses, pharmacies and people coming into Harrison from throughout North Central Arkansas. But when he talks about childhood, two…
If you’ve spent any time around Main Street Harrison, you’ve probably heard us talk about the Four Points. Organization. Promotion. Design. Economic Vitality. They’re the foundation of the Main Street Approach, a framework used by Main Street communities across the country. From time to time, we’ll take a closer look at each one and, more…
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…
Today, most people pass the Bennett Building without a second thought. They see Dollar General, another familiar stop on the square, another modern storefront in a small-town downtown. But the walls behind that sign have been something very different for nearly a century. Dr. Joe Bennett remembers when the corner itself looked nothing like it…
Walk through downtown Harrison today and you’ll see buildings that have been cared for, improved, and brought back to life. You might admire a freshly painted storefront, updated windows, or a new sign without giving it a second thought. What you may not realize is that behind many of those improvements is a property owner…
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…
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…