Harrison

What shaped the affluent town of Harrison, New York? Harrison is a town of intriguing contrasts. It’s a place where corporate giants like MasterCard and PepsiCo rub shoulders with historic landmarks and quiet residential neighborhoods. Harrison was founded in 1696 by John Harrison. Legend says he was given 24 hours to ride his horse and claim as much land as he could encircle. While a fun story, the reality is more complex. The land had already been purchased by settlers from Rye, leading to a dispute so heated that Rye briefly seceded to Connecticut. Harrison officially became a town in 1788. The town played a role in the Revolutionary War. Merritt’s Hill in West Harrison was a key location in the Battle of White Plains. A regiment made up entirely of Harrison residents fought in the battle. In the 19th century, Harrison became home to David Haviland, the renowned china maker. Today, Haviland Street and Haviland Road stand as reminders of his presence. The arrival of the New Haven Line railroad in 1848 transformed Harrison, connecting it directly to Manhattan. The town remained primarily residential, unlike its industrial neighbors. A key figure in Harrison’s 20th-century development was Mayor John Passidomo. He served for nearly two decades, attracting major corporations and overseeing the creation of the “Platinum Mile.” Passidomo even creatively used a fire escape to enter his office. This was a clever tactic to avoid being served papers that might have led to part of Harrison seceding. Harrison today is a blend of old and new. The Hadden-Margolis House, a pre-Revolutionary home, stands alongside modern corporate offices. The town also boasts the Stony Hill Cemetery, a 19th-century African-American burial ground, and a 1938 post office with a WPA mural. The town’s unique history, from land disputes to corporate headquarters, has shaped Harrison into the affluent and dynamic town it is today. It is a testament to its resilience and adaptability.