06/01/2022
To continue our celebration for 140 years in business, below is a little more history.
Featured here is Charles T. Harrison, Sr, the son of Richard Benjamin Harrison. Born in 1864, Charles was the 2nd generation of Harrison Realty. He married Lula Reeder and they had 3 sons, Charles T. Harrison, Jr., Curtis R. Harrison, and Richard Harrison, two daughters, Audrey Harrison Davidson and Mae Harrison Torries.
Although Biloxi was a tourist town in the mid 1800's, it also began to have a military presence in 1934 with a Coast Guard Air Station being located at Biloxi's Point Cadet and later Keesler Field (now known as Keesler Air Force Base). Harrison Realty had been involved in the sale of homes and properties as well as rentals. However, with more military moving into the area, it became very popular for residents to either convert rooms, garages, or build cottages on their property to utilize as a rental. This prompted a sharp increase in rental availability and Harrison Realty became the premier company to handle this market.
In reviewing news articles, our own records, and stories for older generations of Biloxians, it appears Charles T. Harrison, Sr. was quite a character. In earlier days, he would ride the streets of Biloxi in a horse and carriage with a shotgun at his side to inspect properties and collect rents. Apparently, these tactics were successful, and his business made it through the Great Depression and survives today.
Charles T. Harrison, Sr. passed the business onto his son, Curtis R. Harrison, Sr., the 3rd generation. Charles passed away in 1948 at the age of 84.