The Harris Centennial
Harris --The past 100 Years
Early Recollections
Page 25-26
Recollections of the Early Days in the Community
The first railroad, Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern went through this locality in 1884. The early settlers, who saw need for a town, bought land, donated it for that purpose and lots were given to anyone who would build on them.
The name was derived from A. W. Harris who, together with Phillip Proper, platted the town. The first building was erected on the site presently occupied by the Harris Grain Company and is used by them as an office. It housed a small general store, the business pertaining to the railroad and the post office, which was moved in from a place three miles west of town known as Rush Lake. George Proper, son of Phillip, served as station agent, postmaster and storekeeper.
In 1891, the store stock and post office was transferred to the building now owned by the Harry Tullis Cafe. Then a two-story building, it also had rented sleeping rooms, and a large number of steady boarders. In addition, the north side held a barbershop, with three barbers in attendance.
During the years 1896 through 1898, several other business places were erected. Among them was the Thomas General Store, which was later purchased y C. W. Beeler, who added a line of furniture. M. B. Smith built a lumber yard and harness shop. W. C. Grant General Store and Implements later became known as the Harris Mercantile Company operated by Pat and Joe Maher and J. L. Seeley. C. A. Barnes started a hardware store, Lon Sprague a feed store, and Olie Christopherson a barbershop and pool hall. Bickness and Emerson ran a harness shop and Dan Giles operated a drug store. Phil Henry owned a saloon, where Fikes Produce is now located and also erected a livery barn behind it in 1898, which burned down about 1924.
A fire in 1906 destroyed three early buildings, the Deitz Lumber Yard, a real estate office and a furniture store owned by Frank Blaise and August Taft.
Wiemer’s Elevator was one of three and was located east of the present post office building. Grain was hauled to the railroad one hundred bushels at a time in wagons. A blind horse was the power used to elevate the grain to the hopper. The blind horse could be made to travel around in a circle easier than a sighted animal. This was later changed to a gas engine with a flywheel as high as a man, which was cranked by hand. The elevator was replaced some years later by an implement building.
During earlier years, Harris had two banks, the Harris Savings Bank, with Gus Moeller as cashier, did business in the IOOF Lodge building, which was constructed by the Lodge in 1907; and the Farmers State Bank, with Louis Snyder and Walt Woodworth in charge, was in business across the street and started up in 1916.
The double brick building was also erected in 1916 for the Zwank and Stahly Hardware Store and the Wm. Seebode Grocery.
The first main road that led into town from the south came in between the buildings on the present Irvin Bergman farm, which was then owned by F. Burley, father of A. W. Burley and Mrs. John Gregg.
The first residence was built in 1889. It was known as the Brockett house and is still standing empty south of the old Dodson Filling Station.
The second was the home of J. Wattling and was located where the Golden Years apartments now stand. Mr. Wattling at the same time built a blacksmith shop across the street from his home. This shop became the property of A. W. Burley, who also ran a Ford auto agency and garage.
A second blacksmith shop was owned by John Burrows and burned down some years later.