UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Harrison Brothers Hardware Collection

Dublin Core

Identifier

Harrison Brothers Hardware Collection

Title

Harrison Brothers Hardware Collection

Description

Originally establishing a tobacco shop on Jefferson Street in 1879, brothers James B. and Daniel T. Harrison moved their shop to their current location in Huntsville’s Southside Square in 1897. After the building was damaged by a fire in 1901, the brothers rebuilt and expanded their store, reopening as Harrison Brothers Hardware in 1902. After James’ death in 1908, Daniel T. and Robert Harrison, their younger brother, ran the store. In 1940, Daniel T. Harrison passed away leaving Robert the sole owner of the store. In the 1950s, Robert’s sons, Daniel F. and John Harrison, took over the store. In 1952, Robert Harrison passed away. In 1981, Daniel F. Harrison passed away leaving John Harrison as the sole owner of the store. The Historic Huntsville Foundation purchased the store in 1984, after the store closed due to John’s death in 1983. As one of the first major projects of the Historic Huntsville Foundation, the store was reopened in October of 1984 and is staffed by several volunteers. The Historic Huntsville Foundation currently continues the operation of Harrison Brothers Hardware in Huntsville, making it Alabama’s oldest operating hardware store.

Collection Items

  • loc_hbhc_A.M_Booth_Contractor.jpg

    This is an image of an A.M. Booth accounting page with dates from August 3rd to September 6th of unknown years. The text at the top of the page states "Bought of A.M. Booth Contractor and Builder. Dealer in All Kinds of Building Material." Items, most likely for the reconstruction of Harrison Brothers in 1902, are listed on the page along with prices and payments.
  • loc_hbhc_Ancor_Oak_Stove.pdf

    These images are from Anchor Stove and Range Company catalog and price list volume no. 39, August 1904. The item pictured on the first page is The Oak Anchor stove and price descriptions and product details are written in the text below the image and the second page.
  • loc_hbhc_HB_Pottery_Catalog.pdf

    These images are from a Harrison Brothers' catalog. The No. 35 Special and the No. 30 Special were products of the Steubenville Pottery Company. The Forest Pattern and Daisy Pattern items were glassware products from an unknown company. The No. 9 Ware items were from the Rawstone Engraving and Printing Co. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • loc_hbhc_The_Steubenville_Pottery_Co.pdf

    This is a Steubenville Pottery Company catalog of Queensware and glassware items. A picture of the Harrison Brothers' No. 35 Special is on page 7 and the No. 30 special is on page 9 of the catalog. Other items include the Lois, Roswell, and Avalon toilet sets in various colors, Fruit Bowls, Salad plates, the Ethel Dinner Service in various colors, Cuspidores, Celery dishes, Chop dishes, Princess Jardinieres, lamps, lamp burners, clocks, and knives.
  • loc_hbhc_Sales_Card.jpg

    This is an image of a Harrison Brothers sales card. The text on the card states "We Sell Good People on Easy Payments. Crockery, Glassware, Furniture, Stoves, Tinware, Ice Cream Freezers, Water Coolers and House Furnishing Goods. Harrison Bros., Office and Salesrooms, 2 and 3 Commercial Row, Huntsville, Ala., Presented by H.W. Haynes, General Salesman."
  • loc_hbhc_No.36 Special (2).pdf

    This is an image of a Harrison Brothers advertisement for the "Original Package No. 36 Special." The text at the top of the page states "Harrison Brothers, Manufacturers and Wholesale Dealers in China, Glass, Tin, Enameled Steelware, Cutlery, Paper and Paper Bags. Original Package No. 36 Special. Ironstone China, Plain and Decorated." The items included in the special and the prices are listed in the center of the page. The Harrison Brothers' terms are written in small print at the bottom of the page.
  • loc_hbhc_No.35_Special.pdf

    This is an image of a Harrison Brothers advertising pamphlet for the No. 35 special, the first Queensware product sold by the store. The text at the top of the left page states "Harrison Bros., Manufacturers and Wholesale Dealers in Queensware, Glassware, Tobacco, Cigars, Paper, Paper Bags, Etc. Huntsville, Ala,-----1900." The inscription in small print below is an announcement for new Queensware and glassware products. The page on the right side of the image lists the items included in the No. 35 Special and the price.
  • loc_hbhc_No.8_Lamp_Assortment_White.pdf

    The text at the top of this Harrison Brothers advertisement states "Harrison Brothers, Manufacturers and Wholesale Dealers in China, Glass, Tin, Enameled Steelware, Cutlery, Paper and Paper Bags. No. 8 Lamp Assortment. Colors in Blue, Green & Crystal, With Plain Chimneys." Below this text is listed each of the items included in the assortment and the price. The small print at the bottom of the page details the Harrison Brothers' terms.
  • loc_hbhc_D.T._Harrison_Tobacco_card.jpg

    The text on this card states "Manufactured only by D.T. Harrison, Huntsville, Alabama. Notice: The Manufacturer of this Tobacco has complied with all the requirements of law. Every person is cautioned under the penalty of law not to use this package for Tobacco again. D.T. Harrison, Factory, 1, District, Alabama. Hay Bros, Print, Huntsville, Ala."
  • loc_hbhc_American_Triple-Coated_Enameled_Ware.pdf

    This is an image of a Harrison Brothers advertisement for a "100-Piece Assortment of American Triple-Coated Enameled Ware". The advertisement also states "Quality Highest Standard" and features images of several enameled ware products such as pans, dippers, coffee pots, and tea pots. Each of the items included in the 100-piece assortment is listed and priced below the image. The description at the bottom of the page lists the freight charge for the purchase and describes the high quality of the "American Ware".

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