Harrison, Arkansas

I've been fascinated by spiderwebs of late.  It is simply amazing to me that these small, air-breathing arthropods can create such beautiful works of art using a single strand of thread...

the water droplets look like beads...

love the morning dew...

have never seen a web quite like this...

was a misty, foggy morning when I took these pictures

Sunday, July 27

It's hot and humid again today.  Not to mention dry.  The temperature rose to 100 yesterday, it won't be quite that hot today.  We haven't had any rain to speak of since June.  The trees are stressed and losing their leaves.  Yesterday Andrew, one of the rangers here at the visitors center, placed water bags around some of the trees...

We decided to take a ride to Harrison, Arkansas.  Harrison is about 35 mile due south of Branson, in northwest Arkansas in the Ozarks.  Harrison is the county seat of Boone County.  They've been fortunate in that they have received quite a bit of rain.

Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the area, the first 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.  The Shawnees, Quapaws and the Caddo Indians were also familiar to the area.

Boone County was created in 1869.  Shortly afterward, General M. LaRue Harrison, a surveyor, was asked to lay out a town along Crooked Creek at Stiffler Springs.  The town was named in his honor.

We spent our day in the historic downtown square...

The Hotel Seville opened on October 5, 1929.  The Spanish design is built of brick and steel making it virtually fire proof.  The Seville has served as Harrison's finest social and civic meeting place.  Recently it has undergone a complete restorations...

The Hotel Seville

known for the Saracenic Arches that mark the front entries

The Old Federal Building was completed in 1903.  It served as the Post Office from 1906-1965.  It was constructed at an original cost of $878,00 with a total floor space in excess of 20,00 feet.  Cow traces are still present in the west sidewalk...

The Old Federal Building

The Boone County Courthouse, located in the center of the town square's courtyard was built in 1909 after the original courthouse burned on July 4, 1908.  The fire was blamed on a fireworks display that was conducted from the roof of that building.  Some residents believed that it was caused by a new-fangled device that was being used to display pictures onto a screen on the side of the building.  However, there was a report that the fire was set by someone trying to destroy evidence in a court case.

The Boone County Courthouse

on the grounds of the courthouse

love this big tree. grateful for the shade it provides. it's also located on the grounds
of the courthouse

would love to sit in the crook of this tree and read a book...

The flowers located around the square were just beautiful...

I've never seen red cone flowers...beautiful

Ron & Coop waiting while I take pictures of the flowers

The Lyric Theater was home to the first talking movie shown in Harrison on November 7, 1929.  It remained in operation as a movie theater until 1977.  The front entry has the original brick terra cotta design.  Recently the Lyric has been completely refurbished and currently hosts plays, concerts, movies and community events.

love the detail at the roof line

The railroad came to Harrison in 1901 and in 1912 the Missouri & North Arkansas (M & NA) decided to relocate their offices.  The City of Harrison raised $25,000 for the construction of railroad offices which were located above Coffman Bros Drugs store.  Plagued by misfortune, the railroad was abandoned in 1960.

M & NA offices were located above the green awning

Every city and town has it's share of fun murals, and Harrison is no exception...

The West Rush Historic Mural depicts historic events and known characters from Harrison's past...

a sampling of the mural...

This is not a historical building, just thought it was cool...

The Montgomery Ward Building was built in 1929 and occupied by that firm for 50 years.  The building is currently occupied by Fraley's Quality Furniture store.

The Old Boone County Jail was built in 1914.  It served as a jail and sheriff's residence until 1976.  Prior to the construction of the jail this site was the location of the last legal hanging in Harrison, in 1913.

view from the street

notice the bars on the window.  love the tile roof

entrance into the jail. notice bars above door and on windows

close-up of the door.  notice the observation door...

While in Harrison, we had a great lunch at Papa Gene's; a family restaurant.  We had a fun (& hot as well as humid) day exploring the historic district.  As we headed north to Branson, it began to rain.  Once we hit the state line, it stopped.  Dang!  We were really hoping for rain...

Til next time,

Dawn, Ron & Cooper