Harrison Brothers Hardware, also, Daniel Brandon. Established 1879, also, (1866 - 1943). Harrison Brothers, the oldest operating hardware store in Alabama, was founded in 1879 when James B. and Daniel T. Harrison opened a tobacco shop on Jefferson Street. In 1897, they purchased this building on South Side Square and expanded into the adjoining building in 1902. Both buildings were remodeled following a 1901 fire, but alterations since then have been minimal. The brothers' stock evolved from tobacco through crockery, furniture, jewelry. appliances, and finally into hardware. Two generations of Harrisons ran the business until 1984 when it was bought as a preservation project by the non-profit Historic Huntsville Foundation, which continues to operate it today. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. , (Continued from other side) , Following the 1901 fire that destroyed the original store, the Harrison brothers hired local masonry contractor and builder Daniel Brandon in 1902 to expand and rebuild the building to its current appearance, a two-bay, three-story commercial style building. Along with his father, Henderson Brandon (1831-1901), they established Henderson Brandon and Son, the most successful Black-owned business in Huntsville during Reconstruction. Specializing in brickmaking and masonry, the Brandons built public works projects, commercial buildings, and churches. Highly respected, Daniel Brandon also served two terms as a Huntsville Alderman, elected in 1897 and 1901.