The History of Harrison
Harrison, the county seat of Boone County, is located in northwest Arkansas in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Boone County lies 36 degrees north latitude and 16 degrees longitude west of Washington D.C. The elevation is 1,250 feet above sea level.
Indians were the first inhabitants of the area, the first probably being the "Bluff Dweller", who lived in caves in the bluffs along the rivers. In later times, the Osage, a branch of the Sioux, was the main tribe in the Ozarks and one of their larger villages is thought to have been to the east of the present site of Harrison. The Shawnees, Quapaws, and Caddo Indians were also familiar to the area.
The Cherokee arrived around 1816 and could not get along with the Osage. This hostility erupted into a full scale Indian war in the Ozark Mountains. By the 1830's both tribes were removed to Oklahoma. Some historians contend that the first white man to visit the area were some forty followers of Hernando Desota and that they camped at an Indian village on the White River at the mouth of Bear Creek. It is more probable that the first white men were French hunters or trappers who followed the course of the White River.
During the ensuing decades, Harrison, AR and the surrounding community strived on agricultural production and trade. From cattle farming to occasional crop production and eventually poultry farming, the Harrison community has a history of hard work. Manufacturing has also become a key aspect of Harrison's growth over the past few decades. Once home to companies such as Levi Strauss, and Emerson Electric, Harrison is now home to Wabash Wood Products, Pace Industries, Rock Tenn, and Tankenetics to name a few.
On February 18, 1921, the infamous bank robber Henry Starr made an attempt to rob People's National Bank of Harrison. This would be Henry Starr's final bank robbery as he was shot by W.J. Myers and eventually died as a result 4 days later. More information on this event can be found at the Boone County Heritage Museum.
Harrison, AR has a wonderful historic walking tour available to guests. The historic walking tour is free to everyone and can be self-guided or scheduled outings with a local historian are planned on a weekly basis. To find out dates and times of the guided historic tour, please contact the Harrison Convention & Visitors Bureau at 870.741.1789 or you can download a brochure.
Dubbed "Gateway to the Buffalo River" it is important to acknowledge one of the greatest historical events in United States History. On March 1st, 1972, 100 years after the establishment of the first National Park at Yellowstone National Park, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Buffalo National River as the first National River in the United States. The project was spearheaded by longtime congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt of Harrison, Arkansas.
Today over 13,000 people call Harrison, AR their home. Harrison's history has been one of constant growth and improvement in civic facilities, industrial expansion, agriculture, education and recreation. Harrison's economic base is built on manufacturing, retail, wholesale sales, agriculture, and tourism.
Harrison Overview
Harrison Overview is a short promotional video introducing the Ozark Mountain town of Harrison, Arkansas.
View Harrison Overview Video »
Boone County Historical Museums & Societies
Boone County Heritage Museum
Location: 124 South Cherry Street- Harrison, AR 72601
Phone: 870.741.3312
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: www.bchrs.org
Boone County Historical & Railroad Society
Location: 124 South Cherry Street - Harrison, AR 72601
Phone: 870.741.3312
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: www.bchrs.org