[8] Prior to the arrival of European settlers, First Nations people, most likely Plains Cree, inhabited the land around Harris.

The flood of people lead to the establishment of a store, a Methodist church and a post office with Mr. Harris serving as the first postmaster.

Many businesses opened and closed over the years, leaving behind many important examples of early 20th century architecture in the community (see "Historic Buildings" below.)

In 1916 the first telephone company was established in town and on its heels, cement sidewalks were poured in the 1920s and a decade later, in 1930, power came to Harris.

The 1970s saw the village undertake a large street paving effort that was completed by 1980 and in 1976 the municipal water treatment plant and distribution system was established.

[11] There are several buildings designated as Municipal Heritage Properties in Harris, these include: This is the incredible tale of one of the more bizarre episodes in Saskatchewan history; The Great Ruby Rush.

The story goes something like this: One hot, dry day in the summer of 1914, while working on a road gang in the Bear Hills about 20 miles northwest of Harris, Alex McCarthy, an American miner, new to town, spotted some red nuggets in a big black rock.

The entrepreneurial Gordons supplied the miners with everything they could possibly need; lumber, food, alcohol and even prostitutes in a saloon, a restaurant and other entertainment in three large tents that they established on the site.

[18] Rumours persisted for years that the entire was a hoax created by the Gordon Brothers, as a money making scheme.

The plaque, erected by the Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society and mounted on the large rock next to the Harris Museum reads in part: Headline.

This ruby rock was moved from its original site in 1990.Harris is the birthplace of National Hockey League left-winger, Quintin Laing.