MEDIA ADVISORY
100 Year Fire Commemoration Spokesperson
Sherry Skarda, Osprey Inn B&B Landline: 208-689-9502 |
Alternate: John Thiele (pronounced 'teelee')
Harrison Chamber of Commerce President Cell/txt: 208-691-1505 |
See Media Kit for Schedule of Events, Fire Stories and Images: http://www.harrisonidaho.org/media-toc.html
We Made It! Harrison is thriving 100 years after fire wiped us out
100 Year Fire Commemoration Activities Kick Off May 27, 2017 in Harrison
Historic tours and presentations, art and photo displays, firefighter activities, stories, games, and entertainment are scheduled from May to October for the 100 Year Fire Commemoration, downtown Harrison, Idaho.
The public is invited to the City Park for the official 100 Year Fire Commemoration Kick-off Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 10 a.m., when Harrison honors local volunteer firefighters who will be on hand with stories, fire equipment, activities and demonstrations that provide a sense of what it feels like to be in their shoes (literally). Historic images and student artwork that interprets the historic fire will decorate stores and public spaces.
From Wood to Bricks
Harrison was a thriving lumber town of 1,200 people during the early 1900s. As a typical frontier community, it had wooden sidewalks, cloth awnings, and western-style false front buildings packed closely together. Wood everywhere, combined with a daily shower of sparks from steam-powered engines created the perfect condition for fires, which occurred frequently. The citizens were able to get them all under control, until the fire of 1917 flared into an inferno that destroyed 26 years of progress in less than two hours.
Businessmen who decided to rebuild insisted on strict fire codes and the use of fireproof brick for the new buildings. These structures endure today as the core of the historic downtown business district, which surrounds an attractive city park that was once a pile of burned rubble. These features are central to Harrison's self-guided historic walking tour.
Cycle Town: The New Economy That Sparked Renovations
For decades, the lakeside town has attracted boaters who flock to the busy marina in summer, and anglers who start arriving in April for fishing tournaments. These days Harrison is also a cyclists' haven that riders use as a base from which to explore the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's. The popular paved 72-mile rail-trail across the Idaho Panhandle has brought a breath of economic activity not seen here since the early 1900s.
The new tourist economy has made it possible for small family-owned businesses to renovate historical structures that languished during two world wars and tough economic times. Since establishment of the rail-trail in 2006, major renovations and improvements have occurred at 12 properties in the business district.
Please see the Contents for list of renovated buildings with contact information, articles about the fire, and images of Harrison then and now.
Here is how to follow events in Harrison through 2017
Summer Events
Entertainment
Facebook
See more images of Harrison on Pinterest
The public is invited to the City Park for the official 100 Year Fire Commemoration Kick-off Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 10 a.m., when Harrison honors local volunteer firefighters who will be on hand with stories, fire equipment, activities and demonstrations that provide a sense of what it feels like to be in their shoes (literally). Historic images and student artwork that interprets the historic fire will decorate stores and public spaces.
From Wood to Bricks
Harrison was a thriving lumber town of 1,200 people during the early 1900s. As a typical frontier community, it had wooden sidewalks, cloth awnings, and western-style false front buildings packed closely together. Wood everywhere, combined with a daily shower of sparks from steam-powered engines created the perfect condition for fires, which occurred frequently. The citizens were able to get them all under control, until the fire of 1917 flared into an inferno that destroyed 26 years of progress in less than two hours.
Businessmen who decided to rebuild insisted on strict fire codes and the use of fireproof brick for the new buildings. These structures endure today as the core of the historic downtown business district, which surrounds an attractive city park that was once a pile of burned rubble. These features are central to Harrison's self-guided historic walking tour.
Cycle Town: The New Economy That Sparked Renovations
For decades, the lakeside town has attracted boaters who flock to the busy marina in summer, and anglers who start arriving in April for fishing tournaments. These days Harrison is also a cyclists' haven that riders use as a base from which to explore the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's. The popular paved 72-mile rail-trail across the Idaho Panhandle has brought a breath of economic activity not seen here since the early 1900s.
The new tourist economy has made it possible for small family-owned businesses to renovate historical structures that languished during two world wars and tough economic times. Since establishment of the rail-trail in 2006, major renovations and improvements have occurred at 12 properties in the business district.
Please see the Contents for list of renovated buildings with contact information, articles about the fire, and images of Harrison then and now.
Here is how to follow events in Harrison through 2017
Summer Events
Entertainment
See more images of Harrison on Pinterest
Busy on summer weekends, Harrison is still quiet and peaceful in fall, winter and spring.
The Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory is a traditional stop for visitors.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents