The Harris Company was a retail corporation, based in San Bernardino, California, that operated a chain of department stores named Harris', all in Southern California. Philip, Arthur, and Herman Harris – nephews of founder Leopold Harris of what was once the large Los Angeles–based chain Harris & Frank – started the company with a small dry goods store in 1905, and the company eventually grew to nine large department stores, with stores in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Kern Counties.
Harris Company building, San Bernardino
Harris & Frank was a clothing retailer and major chain in the history of retail in Southern California, which at its peak had around 40 stores across Southern California and in neighboring states and regions. Its history dates back to a clothing store founded by Leopold Harris in Los Angeles in 1856 near the city's central plaza, only eight years after the city had passed from Mexican to American control. Herman W. Frank joined Harris in partnership 32 years later in 1888.
Harris & Frank flagship store at 635-9 S. Hill St. in Downtown Los Angeles, opened in 1925.
1878 ad for Quincy Hall in city directory
At far right, "L. Harris" sign is visible, when Harris' Quincy Hall store was located at 54 N. Main St. (old numbering, loc. approx. 308 N. Main today), c.1878
Harris & Frank's London Clothing Co., with its landmark clock, visible at far right in Allen Block. View south on Spring St. from Temple, c.1883–1894. The towers in the background are the Phillips Block; the two larger buildings to its right are the Jones Block and (with turrets) City of Paris.
