Minnie Harris legacy is more than a park
By David Holsted
Minnie Harris graduated in the top two of her high school class. Okay, so there were only two people in the class of 1896 at Harrison High School, but that still doesn’t take away the fact that Harris was a successful businesswoman who worked tirelessly to make her hometown a better place.
The name of Minnie Harris lives on today in the park along Lake Harrison. Minnie Harris Park is known for fun. It is the site of many festivals and other events. Its stage has provided a venue for numerous performers and speakers.
Harris was born Minnie Mitchell on March 27, 1878, in Harrison. She was the only daughter of J. Sol and Margaret Elizabeth Lamb Mitchell. On September 8, 1904, she married Arch Harris in Muskogee, Indian Territory, which later became Oklahoma.
In the early 1910s, Harris opened the Minnie Harris Florist Shop, the first florist shop not only in
Harrison, but the entire northwest region of Arkansas. She operated it for more than 50 years. The shop was located in the building where her father once operated a candy store.
In the last years of her life, Harris owned and managed an apartment house. She also owned several other rental properties.
Harris was a member of the Presbyterian Church and its Women’s Bible Class. She was a charter member of the Harrison Business and Professional Women’s Club and served as an officer and committee member. In 1962, the B&PW Club named her “Woman of the Year.” She was instrumental in organizing the Harrison Garden Club and was an active member for many years.
At 8 a.m. on May 29, 1965, a niece, Minnie Ann Benson, came into Harris’ room to prepare the older woman’s breakfast. She found Harris dead, sitting in her chair at the breakfast table.
Harris was preceded in death by her husband. In addition to Benson, she was survived by two other nieces and a nephew.
Harris was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, but her memory lives on in Minnie Harris Park.
This is article is part of a series about Boone County history and provided by the Boone County
Heritage Museum. The museum is located at 124 South Cherry in Harrison. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Closed on Sunday and Wednesday. For more information on the museum, email
bchm@windstream.net or call 741-3312.
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