Knowing that character of a downtown district was a factor for Norman Crampton when he developed his list of 100 Best Small Towns in America, it's easy to understand why Harrison made the cut in his 2002 book, "The Best Small Towns in America."
Hanging flower baskets complement and awnings accentuate old brick storefronts that line the Harrison square, which, along with a few buildings on adjacent blocks, make up the historic district. Only one building in the district, a gas station, is less than 50 years old. Evidenced through its architecture from the early 1900s, the Great Depression and post-World War II, Harrison is the quintessential American small town.
The flavor of this city might be best experienced by taking the Main Street Harrison Historic Walking Tour, which includes downtown parks, the historic Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County courthouse, the 1914 Boone County Jail and the Hotel Seville.
The Lyric Theater offers live performances on a regular basis, and a thorough renovation of the historic structure is nearly complete. Built in 1929, the theater's interior is graced by stunning murals.
Downtown also boasts two museums: the Boone County Historical Museum and the Marine Corps Legacy Museum. The historical museum contains railroad artifacts, Native American exhibits, genealogy files and Civil War memorabilia. The Marine Corps Legacy museum was founded and is maintained by two retired Marines, a father and son. It contains historical exhibits on the Marine Corps, tracing its roots to 490 B.C., when troops first trained specifically as marines.
There's more than just historic interest in downtown Harrison. Shoppers can spend hours perusing an art gallery, several antique stores, vintage clothing stores, women's clothing stores, a home décor store, shoe stores and a bookstore. There’s also a barbershop, and its barber pole still turns.
