Harrison, Arkansas
Template:Short description Template:Pp-pc Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement
The city of Harrison is the county seat of Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is named after Marcus LaRue Harrison, a surveyor who laid out the city along Crooked Creek at Stifler Springs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to 2019 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,069,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> up from 12,943 at the 2010 census and it is the 30th largest city in Arkansas based on official 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> Harrison is the principal city of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boone and Newton counties.
The community has a history of racism: there were two race riots in the early 20th century and an influx of white supremacist organizations during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.<ref name="npr"/>
History
[edit]Precolonial history
[edit]Native Americans were the earliest inhabitants of the area, probably beginning with cliff dwellers 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 Shawnee, Quapaw, and Caddo people were also familiar to the area.
The Cherokee arrived around 1816 and did not get along with the Osage. This hostility erupted into a full-scale war in the Ozark Mountains. By the 1830s, both tribes were removed to Indian Territory.
It is possible that the first Europeans to visit the area were some forty followers of Hernando de Soto and that they camped at a Native village on the White River at the mouth of Bear Creek. It is more likely that the discoverers were French hunters or trappers who followed the course of the White River.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
19th century
[edit]In early 1857, the Baker–Fancher wagon train assembled at Beller's Stand, south of Harrison. On September 11, 1857, approximately 120 members of this wagon train were murdered near Mountain Meadows, Utah Territory, by a local Mormon militia and members of the Paiute Indian tribe. In 1955, a monument to memorialize the victims of the massacre was placed on the Harrison town square.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Boone County was organized in 1869, during Reconstruction after the Civil War. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is named after Marcus LaRue Harrison, a Union officer who surveyed and platted the town. The town of Harrison was incorporated on March 1, 1876.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
20th century
[edit]Harrison Race Riots of 1905 and 1909
[edit]In 1905 and 1909, white race riots occurred in Harrison, which drove away black residents and established the community as one of hundreds of sundown towns in the country.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In 1901, the building of the St. Louis and North Arkansas Railroad through Harrison bolstered the local economy.<ref name="CALS Race">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Economic hardship ensued following the railroad's bankruptcy on July 1, 1905.<ref name="CALS Race" /> On October 2, 1905, a white mob breached the Harrison jail, captured two Black prisoners, drove the prisoners outside city limits, whipped them, and threatened them to leave the community.<ref name="CALS Race" /> The white mob then went to the Black community and burned their houses and fired guns at their windows with the message that they should leave the town.<ref name="CALS Race" /> At least one person, railroad worker George Richards, was murdered during the event.<ref name="CALS Race" /> Local law enforcement declined to take action to press charges for the riot.<ref name="CALS Race" />
On January 18, 1909, Charles Stinnett was arrested and charged with the rape of a white woman named Lovett.<ref name="CALS Race" /> Although Stinnett testified that he did not assault the woman and only meant to rob her, a jury sentenced him to hang on February 26, 1909.<ref name="CALS Race" /> A mob arrived at the jail to lynch Stinnett after learning that Lovett was very ill, and the mob's presence forced many remaining Black residents out of Harrison on January 28, 1909.<ref name="CALS Race" /> Stinnett was set to be hanged on March 24, 1909, but his execution was delayed for three hours because he was drunk.<ref name="CALS Race" /> Stinnett died as a result of strangulation from a failed hanging fifteen minutes after his execution began.<ref name="CALS Race" />
Later 20th century
[edit]The bank robber and convicted murderer Henry Starr was in Harrison on February 18, 1921, when Starr and three companions entered the People's State Bank and robbed it of $6,000.00. During the robbery, Starr was shot by the former president of the bank, William J. Myers. Starr was carried to the town jail, where he died the next morning.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
On May 7, 1961, heavy rain caused Crooked Creek, immediately south of the downtown business district, to flood the town square and much of the southwestern part of the city. Water levels inside buildings reached Template:Convert. Many small buildings and automobiles were swept away. According to the American Red Cross, four people died, 80 percent of the town's business district was destroyed, and over 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed in losses exceeding $5.4 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1962, Sam Walton opened his second Walmart store in Harrison.<ref>Vance H. Trimble, Sam Walton: The Inside Story of America's Richest Man, pp.46–64 (Dutton, 1990)</ref>
In 1982, Kingdom Identity Ministries, an anti-gay Christian Identity outreach ministry identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, was founded in Harrison.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="SPLCKIM">Template:Cite web</ref>
21st century
[edit]Harrison's Community Task Force on Race Relations<ref name="npr">Template:Cite news</ref> was established in 2003 to "promote diversity and respond to racial-bias accusations against the city".<ref name="ArkO">Template:Cite web</ref> City officials have made efforts to counteract organized racist activity with educational forums and billboards promoting tolerance.<ref name="Vice">Template:Cite news</ref> They also attempted to downplay the city's racist reputation and improve its image by editing the town's Wikipedia article.<ref name="ArkO" />
In 2014, a peace march and vigil celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. was held in downtown Harrison, hosted by the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In December of the same year, a dedication was held for a Confederate monument in Harrison.<ref name="Monument">Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2017, Mayor Dan Sherrell and Boone County Judge Robert Hathaway signed proclamations recognizing June as Confederate Heritage and History Month.<ref name="Confederate Heritage 2017">Template:Cite news</ref>
Kevin Cheri, who became the first African-American employed in the area in 1978, received death threats shortly after his arrival, which prompted him to leave the area. He returned in 2007, and in 2019 was recognized by mayor Jerry Jackson when Harrison issued its first-ever Black History Month proclamation.<ref name="black history month">Template:Cite web</ref>
In June 2020, a group of around 300 gathered in Harrison to protest police brutality in the murder of George Floyd while 15 people armed with rifles and displaying Confederate and American flags looked on.<ref name="US News">Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:As of the Southern Poverty Law Center has said that Kingdom Identity Ministries (founded in Harrison) has a location in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
[edit]U.S. Routes 62, 65, and 412 pass through Harrison. U.S. 65 leads north Template:Convert to Branson, Missouri, and south Template:Convert to Conway, Arkansas. U.S. 62 leads west Template:Convert to Eureka Springs and beyond to Rogers and Bentonville. U.S. 412 leads west Template:Convert to Springdale. U.S. 62 and 412 combined lead east Template:Convert to Mountain Home.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 0.26%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>
Climate
[edit]The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Harrison has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Weather box Template:Weather box
Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 11,501 | 88.0% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 53 | 0.41% |
Native American | 85 | 0.65% |
Asian | 148 | 1.13% |
Pacific Islander | 14 | 0.11% |
Other/Mixed | 766 | 5.86% |
Hispanic or Latino | 502 | 3.84% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,069 people, 5,578 households, and 3,198 families residing in the city.
2010 census
[edit]As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 12,943 people and 6,043 housing units in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
23.2% of the population was under the age of 18, and 19.0% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up 53.1% of the population, and males made up 46.9% of the population.
The median income for the period 2007–11 for a household in the city was $33,244, and the number of people living below the poverty level was 15.1%. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $108,700.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
[edit]Harrison is home of the general office of FedEx Freight, a leading Less-Than-Load (LTL) freight carrier. Arkansas Freightways, later renamed to American Freightways, was combined with Viking Freight to become FedEx Freight in February 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Major employers
[edit]- FedEx Freight Inc. (Trucking and distribution)
- North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (Medical services)
- Walmart Inc. (Retail)
- Pace Industries (Aluminum die-casting)
- Claridge Products and Equipment, Inc. (Markerboards, chalkboards and bulletin boards)
- Windstream (Telecommunications)
- Wabash Wood Products (Trailer floor manufacturing)
- North Arkansas College (Education)
- WestRock, formerly RockTenn Company (Folding Paperboard Cartons)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Architecture
[edit]The Boone County Courthouse, built in 1909, and the Boone County Jail, built in 1914, were both designed by architect Charles L. Thompson and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="NHRP Boone">Template:Cite web</ref>
Arts and culture
[edit]Annual cultural events
[edit]Harrison hosts the annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon races each September, Crawdad Days Music Festival each May, a Harvest Homecoming festival each October, and Christmas celebration in December.Template:Citation needed
Museums and other points of interest
[edit]The National Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized the Harrison Courthouse Square Historic District. It contains a large number of the city's original commercial and governmental structures, including the still-used courthouse in the center of the square, the recently refurbished Lyric Theater, and the 1929 Hotel Seville, which underwent a complete restoration in 2008.Template:Citation needed
Ozark Arts Council
[edit]The Ozarks Arts Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1996 with the mission "To enrich lives by promoting the arts in Harrison and North Arkansas through exhibitions, performances, and education."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It provides administrative support and distributes financial and in-kind donations to its member organizations:
- The Theatre Company
- Northark Drama
- Twentieth Century Club
- Woman's Book Club
- Ozark Children's Choir
The historic Lyric Theatre is managed by the Ozark Arts Council. Originally opened as a movie theater in 1929, it is now used for plays, community events, old movies and other gatherings.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Parks and recreation
[edit]Harrison serves as the National Park Service's Buffalo National River headquarters. The park was established in the 1970s, and was the nation's first national river.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The river flows for Template:Convert, and there are over 59 different species of fish in it.Template:Citation needed
Crooked Creek, a nationally recognized "Blue Ribbon" smallmouth bass fishery, flows through Harrison.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls, at Template:Convert the tallest waterfall between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians, is located Template:Convert southwest of Harrison near Compton.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> On the same bluff line is Diamond Falls, at Template:Convert the second tallest in the state.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
As of May 2024, the Creekside Community Center is currently under construction. When complete, it will have an Olympic size pool, two more smaller pools, 2 high school regulation size basketball courts, and an indoor music venue. Construction is deemed to end before 2025.
Education
[edit]Residents are served by the Harrison School District. The Harrison High School mascot is the Golden Goblin. Harrison is also home to North Arkansas College (Northark). The Harrison School District had been a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1936 until its dissolution in 2014. It is now a member of the AdvancED commission.
Media
[edit]Harrison and Boone County have been served by the local newspaper The Harrison Daily Times<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> since 1876.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Radio
[edit]Radio stations broadcasting from Harrison<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> include:
- KBPB 91.9 FM (Religious)
- KCWD 96.1 FM (Classic Rock)
- KHBZ 102.9 FM (Country)
- KHOZ 900 AM (Nostalgia)
- KHOZ 94.9 FM (Nostalgia)
- KBHQ 100.7 FM (Classic Rock)
Television
[edit]Harrison has two stations of its own, including KXMP-LD and K26GS-D (both in Harrison proper). Harrison KTKO-TV 8.1, also known as TKO 8, provides coverage for local events including Goblin Sports, Harrison City Council meetings, and Boone County Quorum Court meetings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is an affiliate of the Me-TV Network showing a wide range of classic television programming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> K26GS is a This TV affiliate and also provides local programming to Harrison. KWBM, a Daystar affiliate, is also licensed to Harrison, however its offices are in Springfield, while its transmitter is located in Taney County, Missouri. KWBM leases part of its signal to Springfield Fox affiliate KRBK, in order to relay reliable Fox TV coverage to Harrison and the southern portions of the Springfield TV market.
Harrison is part of the Springfield, Missouri, television market, and receives stations from Springfield, including: KYTV (NBC), KOLR (CBS), KSPR (ABC), KOZL (MyNetworkTV), and KRBK (Fox).
It was also featured in a BBC TV show in the UK named Miriam's Big American Adventure, hosted by Miriam Margolyes.
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]A segment of the route between Seligman, Missouri and Harrison, Arkansas was operated as the Arkansas & Ozarks Railroad from 1948 to 1960.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Harrison is served by Boone County Regional Airport. Scheduled flights from Harrison to Memphis, Tennessee, and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, are offered by Southern Airways Express. The closest airport with service from a carrier aside from Southern Airways Express is Branson Airport (served only by Frontier Airlines), and the closest airport served by multiple airlines or a legacy carrier is Northwest Arkansas National Airport.Template:Citation needed
Highways in the area include:
- File:US 62 (1961).svg File:US 412.svg US 62/US 412
- File:US 65 (1961).svg U.S. Highway 65
- File:US 65B.svg U.S. Route 65 Business
- File:Arkansas 7.svg Arkansas Highway 7
- File:Arkansas 43.svg Arkansas Highway 43
- File:Arkansas 123.svg Arkansas Highway 123
- File:Arkansas 392.svg Arkansas Highway 392
- File:Arkansas 397.svg Arkansas Highway 397
- File:Arkansas 980(Airport).svg Arkansas Highway 980
Health care
[edit]The North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is in Harrison.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Notable people
[edit]- Daniel Boatwright, Democratic politician in California
- Brandon Burlsworth, All-American offensive lineman, played for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the late 1990s; Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft
- John Burris, politician<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Faye Della Wilson Copeland, born in Harrison, along with her husband Ray became the oldest couple sentenced to death in the U.S.
- George J. Crump, Confederate officer, state legislator, lawyer, and U.S. Marshal
- John Paul Hammerschmidt, U.S. representative, 1967–1993, author of the law preserving the Buffalo National River as a free-flowing stream and adding it to the National Park System in 1972
- Ben C. Henley, lawyer, businessman, and chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party from 1955 to 1962, U.S. Senate candidate in 1956, lived in Harrison<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- J. Smith Henley, federal judge, retired to senior status in Harrison; the federal building in Harrison is named in his honor
- Elgin Bryce Holt, geologist
- Courtney Rae Hudson, Arkansas Supreme Court justice, was born in Harrison
- H. Dale Jackson, ethicist
- Uvalde Lindsey, politician
- Brian McComas, country-western singer, originally from Harrison
- Bryce Molder, professional golfer, was born in Harrison
- Gracie Pfost, first woman elected to Congress from Idaho, was born in Harrison
- Charles Robinson, Arkansas State Treasurer; native of Harrison
- Tim Sherrill, former pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1990 to 1991
- Vance Trimble, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- Robert Wadley, politician
- William Wirt Watkins, politician
- John A. White, President of the University of Arkansas
- Jack Williams, Medal of Honor recipient
In popular culture
[edit]In 2020, the video Holding a Black Lives Matter Sign in America's Most Racist Town was filmed in Harrison.<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Peiser">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Template:Notelist Template:Reflist
Further reading
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Commons category Template:NIE Poster
- City of Harrison official website
- Harrison Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Harrison entry in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas
- City government information from local.Template:Not a typo.gov
Template:Boone County, Arkansas Template:Arkansas county seats