The Legends of Harper House

Daniel Webster "D. W." Shuler came to Hickory, North Carolina and changed it. He started a bank--Hickory's first--and a plethora of other business ventures, unmatched by any entrepreneur before or since. His tenure was remarkably short, lasting only four years. During his stay, he brought aeronauts, actors, muralists, and most significantly, attention to Hickory. His exit proved to be even more spectacular than his arrival, but his story reveals a remarkable period in the development of Hickory, one that sets the stage for growth and ingenuity.