our history
130+ YEARS OF PROGRESS AND EXPANSION
1887
John W. Harrison’s daughter Alma is born. On her birth certificate, “Contractor” is listed as her father’s occupation… thus marking the birth of HWH.
1890-1918
Harrison and his early partners build large elaborate homes for civic and business leaders, which become showcases for fine craftsmanship and new materials.
1932
The firm completes its first aircraft hangar at Legion Field for $700 — a precursor to the Boeing 747 Air Force One hangar HWH would design and build for E-Systems in the 1980s.
1936
The introduction of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans revitalizes homebuilding activity for Harrison’s company, now called Harrison & Son. Later, Barney Harrison becomes principal owner upon the death of his father, John W.
1947
Barney’s son J.W. Harrison II joins his father as partner, shortly after returning from overseas service during WWII. Post-war economic expansion brings more diversification in the late 1940s and 1950s.
1954
Barney Harrison’s unexpected death makes J.W. II sole owner. He successfully moves the company forward.
1959-1969
Charlie Walker joins J.W. II as engineer and equal partner in the company. He develops the site layout for a Campbell Soup Company production facility and many new industrial and institutional projects into the 1960s.
1970
Chip Harper, J.W. II’s stepson, joins full-time. This marks the company’s fourth generation as a family-owned business.
1973
Harper takes the helm of the company’s Delta Steel Building franchise and quickly achieves record sales for the region.
1979
The construction and building systems companies merge as Harrison Walker & Harper.
1989
Chip Harper acquires sole ownership of the firm upon the retirement of the other partners, with sons Holland and Jordan on board as the fifth generation.
1990
New projects in the industrial and aviation segments help propel further growth and development throughout the 1990s.
2000-2010
HWH launches an Industrial division in order to serve emerging markets and new manufacturing clients.
2011
HWH launches The HWH Group, providing capital strategies and leveraging tax credit and location expertise. The company consolidates leadership and staff in newly renovated corporate office facilities at 2510 South Church Street in Paris, Texas.
2016
HWH launches a Program Management Division. The team begins providing program management services to the Cherokee Nation for a new $200M regional health center funded in part by a Indian Health Services grant.
2018
HWH begins the fourth build for Sterilite Corporation in Davenport, Iowa. This project at 2.53M Square feet was the largest industrial build in the United States at the time.
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