The History of Harrison Brothers Hardware

By Abigail Harrison, DHI Communications Coordinator

Harrison Brothers Hardware is one of the oldest stores in Huntsville. It was established on the courthouse square in 1897 by brothers James B. and Daniel T. Harrison.

The brothers started out with a tobacco shop on Jefferson Street in 1879 before deciding that there was a demand for a hardware store. They opened a brick and mortar on Southside Square, which is where the store is still located today. They began by selling hardware items but eventually expanded into a furniture store.

They operated the business until 1983, and it went through the generations of the Harrisons. In 1983, the last Harrison passed away, and the Historic Huntsville Foundation stepped in to purchase the store and preserve its history.

Since then, the store has carried a variety of merchandise, from antiques to original art. Now, under the management of Cheryl Sexton, the store has evolved to serve the community by featuring merchandise by local artisans. Though it's a hub for local crafts, people come from all over the world to see the store.

“We keep a guest book at the entrance of our story, and in the month of August we had visitors from 30 states and 8 countries come to Harrison Brothers,” said Candy Burnett, member of the Historic Huntsville Foundation Board and chair of the Harrison Brothers Hardware Store advisory committee.

The store carries food products, books, and decor from local artists, and they recently added a free art gallery that features local artwork.

“It’s a great opportunity to feature local art and artists, tell their stories, and introduce their work to people in the community and give them the opportunity to purchase it,” Candy said.

The Historic Huntsville Foundation works to support Harrison Brothers Hardware through educational programs, historic preservation, and historic markers.

“Our purpose is to share this jewel of Huntsville with the community and make sure the next generations know what this store was, who the Harrison brothers were, and how they were important to the success of Huntsville over the years,” Candy said.

What makes Harrison Brothers Hardware most unique is that its history is still visibly preserved. Cheryl prioritizes keeping the store in its original appearance.

All the counters, display shelves, wood floors and fixtures are still intact. Sales are still rung up on the 1907 National Cash Register first used by James and Daniel. The brothers’ business desk, safe, freight elevator, and coal stove are still there–just the way they left them. Original advertising posters, receipts and ledgers, vintage photographs and Harrison family mementos are displayed throughout the store.

Marbles were the one item that Harrison Brothers always carried in the store, and they are still the top-selling item in the store today. Visitors can even win a free marble if they complete the historic scavenger hunt hosted by the store. (There is a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt happening now until Halloween!)

Want to plan a visit to Harrison Brothers Hardware store? Check out their website (http://harrisonbrothershardware.com/) for more information.

All historic information was provided by Cheryl Sexton and Candy Burnett.