Harriman Historic District

The Harriman Historic District is a historic neighborhood in Bristol containing 109 buildings across about 17 acres, encompassing residences and a school. The development from the early 20th century forms a cohesive residential area laid out with a planned street grid.

The neighborhood began in 1917 when railroad businessman W. Averell Harriman founded the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation to build ships for World War I. The residential area was created to attract and house workers needed for the shipyard operations.

The neighborhood streets carry the names of American Presidents, giving the area a patriotic character. The buildings blend Colonial Revival and Tudor-style elements with brick and stucco facades that define the streetscape.

The neighborhood is easily explored on foot and accessible for visitors interested in learning about historic architecture and street layout. The school facility in the center remains active and shapes the daily rhythm of the area.

The area was one of the largest residential projects built by the Emergency Fleet Corporation during the wartime effort to house shipyard workers. Its planned structure with presidential street names reflects a deliberately designed workers' community rather than organic neighborhood growth.