WEST HARRISON DESCRIPTION & HISTORY

The incorporated town of West Harrison is on the Whitewater River, along what originally was the Whitewater Canal in Harrison Township in northeastern Dearborn County.

West Harrison is part of the Greater Harrison community, and contiguous to the City of Harrison, Ohio. West Harrison, the smaller of the two, has a population of about 340.

Named after President William Henry Harrison, it was platted in 1813 by John Allen and Peter Hanan. The first hotel was built by John Wykoff in 1816; the second by Brackenridge and Purcell in 1818.

The post office was built in 1818 by Isaac Morgan, father-in-law of Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks, who served under President Grover Cleveland. Today, postal service is handled through the Harrison Post Office, 420 South State St., Harrison, Ohio 45030; 367-4668.

In 1822, a convention was held in Harrison by representatives of surrounding communities to plan for the Whitewater Canal. In 1836, the Indiana General Assembly passed an act to build the canal from Hagerstown, Ind., to Lawrenceburg.

Construction of the canal was carried out in the 1840's, and with its completion came many mills, distilleries and shops. Some of the buildings remain today.

West Harrison's emphasis changed from the canal to the railroad, after the Whitewater Valley Railway was constructed in 1868. Its rails were laid on the towpath of the original Whitewater Canal.

Today, West Harrison continues to be an integral part of the Harrison economy.

The town is governed by a three-member town council: President Roy Blum: 637-3028; 205 S. Bowles St., West Harrison, IN 47060; Laura Crone, 637-3455; 200 W. Harrison Ave., West. Harrison, IN 47060; and Wallace Lanham, 637-1396; 103 S. Bowles St., West Harrison, IN 47060. The town's clerk-treasurer is Jo Wesley, 637-3008; 208 W. Harrison Ave., West Harrison, IN 47060.

West Harrison has a full-time marshal, Gary Noel, and two part-time deputy marshals, John Brown and John Rudisell. Call 637-5261 for non-emergencies. Police services also are provided by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department, 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. For non-emergencies, call 537-3431. The sheriff's department also operates a field office from the West Harrison Town Hall, 637-5261. The number is not for emergencies.

The town has a contract with Harrison, Ohio, for fire and life squad service. For non-emergencies, call 1-513-367-4194. The Harrison Main Fire Station is at 200 Harrison Ave., Harrison, Ohio 45030. Station 2, which can be reached at 1-513-367-3719, is at 10250 West Road, Harrison, Ohio. Alan Kinnett is fire chief.

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