Harrison, AR

Harrison is a small town located in Pope County, Arkansas. The population was 1,527 at the 2010 census. Harrison is home to the Harrison Regional Airport and the Pope County Courthouse.

The town of Harrison was founded in 1892 by J.D. Harrison and his wife, Lula Mae. The town was named for President Benjamin Harrison of Indiana. The first business in Harrison was a general store operated by J.D. and Lula Mae Harrison. In 1895, the railroad came to Harrison and began to bring people and businesses into the town. By 1900, there were enough people living in Harrison to form a school district and build a schoolhouse on Main Street (now known as School Street).

In 1906, J D’s son-in-law, A C Whittington built what is now known as Whittington Hall on Main Street (now known as Park Avenue). This hall served as both a hotel and an event center for many years in Harrison. In 1915, A C Whittington built another hotel called the White House on North Railroad Avenue (now known as Highway 62). This hotel served as an important stop on the railroad route between Little Rock and Fort Smith until it burned down in 1951.

In 1924, J D’s grandson, W E “Bud” Harris opened what is now known as Bud Harris Ford dealership on Main Street (now known as Park Avenue). Bud Harris Ford has been operating continuously since then; it is currently one of the largest dealerships in Pope County with more than 100 employees working at its location today .

In 1941, W E “Bud” Harris opened another dealership called Bud Harris Chevrolet on Highway 62 (North Railroad Avenue). This dealership operated until 1978 when it was sold to Bill Hicks Chevrolet Incorporated from Conway Springs, Kansas . In 1990 , Bud Harris Chevrolet closed its doors but reopened under new ownership in 2007 . Today , Bud Harris Ford continues to be one of the largest dealerships in Pope County with more than 100 employees working at its location today .