Page 10A THE BEACON June 2018
Harrison History- The Good , The Bad , and the ... Interesting
By Nicole Williams Terry E . Viel has been referred to by local residents as , “ The gatekeeper of all things Harrison .” This author has written over one hundred fifty articles for the local newspaper and has published a book about the history of Harrison , Ohio . He is an active member of the Harrison Village Historical Society and a collector of old photos and artifacts from the area . If you are lucky enough to find yourself in conversation with the Harrison High School graduate , you will be quickly immersed in the history of the forever changing buildings and generations that are still very present today .
Mr . Viel had no original intentions of becoming an author but instead went to school for engineering . After retiring as a Senior Engineer in 2009 from General Electric , he took up writing as a “ retirement hobby .” He started with writing historical articles for the Harrison Press . Much of his work is known for the humorous spin he adds to true stories . His weekly work received such positive feedback that he was encouraged to collect these stories into a book . “ Short Stories of Harrison , Ohio ” is a collection of over seventy short stories of events , people and happenings from the past . It was published in 2017 and became very successful . Reviews noted it for its “ down home ” flavor .
“ The Lady in the Box ” was one of the short stories I personally was amazed by . After reading it , I had to get in my car and drive into town to see it with my own eyes . On the intersection of Park and North Walnut sits the large boxy structure people might consider just an awkward building . But as Mr . Viel writes : “ Unless you are a real Harrison old timer , you are unmindful to what secret she holds .” Incased in the brick resides a once beautiful Victorian period mansion that belonged to a Distillery mogul during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century . The Dair Mansion grew into disrepair and was sold in the 1950 ’ s . It was converted into a multi-unit apartment facility and is literally boxed in with extensions being added to the front and sides . The new exterior provided room for plumbing . Some of the features , columns , arches and stairwell are still visible today . Many local residents stroll past the building today without having a clue about what it once was .
Of all the characters from the past , Mr . Viel considers Lester T . Culp one of his favorite . Mr Viel likens him to the famous Ernest T . Bass from the Andy Griffith Show . Lester T . resided outside of town up on the New Biddinger Hill with his six beloved German Shepherds . The hermit was known to come into town dressed in sporting overalls and a long grey beard . He spoke in a distinct voice as he would mosey around town conducting business , even though he was not typically employed on a fulltime basis . His early 1950 ’ s Chevy was his chosen mode
The current apartment buildings that encase the once-breathtaking Dair Mansion .
Local author Terry E . Viel continues to share and record Harrison ’ s history .
of transportation , and it was equipped with extra lights and turn signals to ensure that everyone could see him coming and going .
Terry Viel also works with the Harrison Village Historical Society . Established in 1962 , the society is a group of like-minded people who wish to maintain and preserve the history of the area . Terry Becker is the current president of the group of around fifty active members . The Society now runs the Harrison Historical Society Museum , which is located at 115 North
The formally elegant Victorian Mansion owned by James Dair is located in downtown , Harrison .
Walnut Street in downtown , Harrison . The museum is open the second and fourth Thursdays from 1-3 p . m . every month . Admission is free and walking tours of Harrison are now being offered .
The artifacts at the museum are always being changed out . Civil War cannon balls found right here in Harrison are currently on display . Everything from pottery to pictures are displayed and the society members are eager to share their knowledge . To be able to learn about such priceless history and then step right outside the museum door and see it in such a tangible way is just fascinating ! The experience truly makes you appreciate the town on a whole different level .
If you are eager to learn more about a Harrison
The Harrison Village Historical Museum is filled with stories and artifacts of the past .
woman who broke “ the glass ceiling ,” or the Harrison Tornado of 1854 , or the once fully-functioning streetcar , pick up a copy of Mr . Viel ’ s book . The recounted stories are captivating !
TOPSOIL ( Regular and Shredded )
7247 State Road 46E Batesville , IN 47006 812.932.3300
FILL DIRT GRAVEL
SPECIALIZED HAULING & DELIVERY
East Central High School ’ s Marching Trojans participated in Washington , DC ’ s National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
EC Marching Band Takes National Stage
East Central High School ’ s Marching Trojans participated in Washington , DC ’ s National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 14 . One hundred students participated in the parade and educational trip .
Besides marching in the parade , students visited many landmarks and museums , including : Arlington National Cemetery , Pentagon 9 / 11 Memorial , National Archives , The White House , Capitol Building , Mount Vernon ,
National Portrait Gallery , Ford ’ s Theater , Smithsonian Museums , the Jefferson , Lincoln , and Martin Luther King Jr . Memorials , as well as the World War II , Korean and Vietnam War Memorials .
ECHS ’ prom was inadvertently scheduled the same day as the parade , so the EC Band Boosters and a student committee improvised . They threw a “ Band Prom ” at their hotel in DC . Students dressed up , danced the night away ,
and enjoyed marching band show themed decor and party favors .
Parent chaperone Tammy Garcia said , “ I was thrilled to shake the hands of WWII veterans and thank them for their service . But my favorite part was our kids . Watching them go from having a blast at Band Prom to getting serious and representing our community in the parade was an experience I will not soon forget .”
NICOLE & JOHN WUESTEFELD
A Family Tradition Since 1800 ’ s QUALITY SERVICE • COMPASSION • DEDICATION
25615 STATE ROUTE 1 • DOVER , IN
( 812 ) 576-4301 WWW . ANDRES-WUESTEFELDFH . COM
IF YOU LIKE THE BEACON … PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS , AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THEIR ADS IN THE BEACON . THANK YOU !