The Saline County courthouse and square have gone through many transformations within the past 100 years. In the 1800s the town had dirt streets with a large grand Greek Revival style court house, which was then replaced at the turn of the 20th century with a larger, grander courthouse with brick streets. Harrisburg had all brick streets, but now only a few are left. Most have been replaced with pavement. The ones that are left are protected by the Harrisburg Brick Streets Committee. A smaller version of the central clock tower of the courthouse, including the original clock was recreated in 1996, and placed in a small lot behind the Clearwave Building's parking lot.
Harrisburg has not yet begun a National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street historical preservation program, like Eldorado has. Saline County is within a recognized historical district, the "Ohio River Route Where Illinois Began". Only two buildings in Harrisburg are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, those being the City Hall and the Saline County Poor Farm.
The square itself held several business, grocery and department stores, pharmacies and bars. During the closing of the coal mining era most of the businesses left the square and moved to the main drag of Rt. 45. The court house was replaced with a modern, more efficient building in the 1970s after the older court house was condemned. Over the years, the brilliantly built architecture that graced Harrisburg square has slowly turned to rotting older structures mixed in with a hodge-podge of newer updated buildings. Currently there are a few privately owned downtown renovation projects under way on and around the square.
Besides buildings around the square, there were several mills and factories that no longer exist, such as the Woolcot mill, C.V. Parker mill, several planning mills, and saw mills, Harrisburg Ice packing plant, Coke plant, brick factory and the candy making factory on Jackson St.
As expected, the area surrounding downtown Harrisburg is spotted with elegant old homes. On and around Poplar, Main, Church, and Granger Streets there are Victorian, Greek Revival, Federal, and Tudor designs, all carefully preserved and maintained. In some areas, these streets are still paved with hand-laid brick. Around these are the Cape Cods, American Foursquares, and bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s. Modern ranch, raised ranch, and split-level designs extend from these to near the edges of the community.
Three of the several Poplar St. Mansions, south side of the street. Most of the older mansions in Harrisburg were build pre-1910 and dot the area around Poplar, Main, Church, and Granger Streets.
Three of the several Poplar St. Mansions, south side of the street. Most of the older mansions in Harrisburg were build pre-1910 and dot the area around Poplar, Main, Church, and Granger Streets.
North side of Poplar street mansions and the twin manors (now White Lace Inn)in old Harrisburg postcard.
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