The settlement of Harrison County began around 1838, although the land was not surveyed and opened for entry until 1842. The county is named after Albert C. Harrison who was a Missouri politician during the 19th century. Many of the early pioneers in the county settled along Sugar Creek and in the Bethany area. Three commissioners deliberated for several days to determine a site for the county seat and finally came to  the decision to place it in the southern part of the county. The original name for the community was Dallas.

In June of 1845, John S. Allen was appointed commissioner to survey the town into lots and offer the same for sale. The plat, which was completed on June 27, 1845, consisted of 19 total acres. The name Dallas apparently did not meet with the general approval of the residents of the community and the issue was brought before the county court. It was decided that the court and county officials present would select a new name by ballot. The names of Bethany and Carthage were proposed. The votes showed a majority favored the name of Bethany and accordingly the name of Bethany was given to the town. It was officially  incorporated as a city by an act of the General Assembly on January 6, 1860. The first mayor was T.H. Templeman.

The first home in the community was constructed by John S. Allen and although it was built as a residence it was primarily used to store the first stock of goods brought to the community. Like many original landmarks it was completely destroyed by fir in 1864.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad reached Bethany in October 1890. Eventually, two other railroads also served the county. The railroad would influence the economy and environment of the community for the next century until the early 1980's when the last tracks were removed permanently.

Transportation, which played an important role early in Bethany's history, came to play an even bigger role in the 1960s when Interstate 35 was proposed and later constructed. This north-south 4-lane highway connects Canada with Mexico. The interstate runs along the east side of town and since the completion of the interstate in the early 1970s, the community's growth has been in that direction with a number of retail establishments appearing in the 1980s and that growth continues today.

Industry played a vital role in Bethany's growth starting with Colonel C.L. Jennings who erected the first steam mill around 1854 in the northwest part of town. This was a combination mill, which produced both lumber and flour.

Because the country was so new, little need for towns existed. For several years, only a few retail shops existed and development and growth of the town was slow but by 1855, Bethany was known as one of the best trading places in Northwest Missouri. The Harrison County Industrial Development Authority established an Industrial park in the 1960s and Bethany Memorial Airport was opened in 1968. The first tentant in the industrial park was Calhoun Manufacturing, a company that manufactured agricultural machinery. Lambert Manufacturing opened a facility in 1971 and Place's Discount Stores also became a resident of the industrial park until 1999 when they sold to Pamida, with the distribution center remaining active within the park until 2002 when it closed. The 120,000 square foot building was purchased by the homegrown Bethany business Gumdrop Books immediately following Pamida's closure. Newest additions to the park include Superior Waste, and Tri-State Carports, which opened for business in 2001. The 1990s saw a period of aggressive growth, especially within the service industry with the addition of several motels and restaurants. There has been several million dollars invested each year during the 90s and an increase of nearly 100 jobs annually.

Harrison County Museum
The Harrison County Museum offers a variety of items that depict the lives of residents from the past. You will see areas devoted to transportation, past businesses, clothing and housekeeping. The historical society has worked hard to preserve our history to show today's generations how our community has grown.

Bethany is graced with older homes that have been refinished to reflect the city's history. One of the oldest is the Edna Cuddy Memorial House and Gardens, which was built in 1882. This home utilizes period furniture of the late 1800s to give visitors a look back at Bethany. Operated by the Harrison County Historical Society, the Cuddy home is open to visitors by appointment by calling 425-6811. The Cuddy Home will be open in the months of June and July on Sunday’s between the hours of 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Area Attractions
The old Bethany City Lake is an 18-acre lake located inside the city limits in the northern end of town on Highway 69. This lake offers a shelter house donated by the Lions Club and picnic area. Public restrooms, ADA accessible, are also available. The lake is stocked with large bluegill and channel catfish.

The New City Lake, built in 1960 as a supplemental water supply for Bethany, is a 73-acre lake also located north of town on Highway 69. The lake is surrounded by 71 acres of open timber and is an ideal location for fishing and camping. The lake has a small boat dock, picnic areas and camping sites. The lake is stocked iwth largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie.

The Harrison County Lake is a 280-acre site built in 1994 as a water supply and recreational reservoir and is located nine miles north of Bethany on County Road W, then west one mile on a gravel road. The lake provides a great location for water skiing as well as fishing and camping.

The lake is stocked with bass, channel catfish, crappie, redear sunfish and bluegill. The camping fees are $15 for electrical and charge $3 for a primitive tent. The County Lake has tow shelter houses, a boat dock and two swimming areas. (Please note that no lifeguards are on duty.) Restrooms are provided. Reservations are not required; it is by first come first serve basis.

Dunn Ranch & Pawnee Prairie
Harrison County is home to the Dunn Ranch & Pawnee Prairie. Just minutes north of Bethany, the Dunn ranch is more than 3,000 acres and the Pawnee Prairie is over 400 acres. On the wide-open rolling expanses of Dunn Ranch and Pawnee Prairie, the prairie chicken still performs its colorful spring “booming”; the upland sandpiper’s ghostly call carries in the wind; and the upland sandpiper's ghostly call carries in the wind; and regal fritillary butterflies alight on gorgeous coneflowers. A new addition in November 2011 was 36 bison from South Dakota. The area is marked by high vegetation from late spring through fall. Large rolling hills make for a moderate hike. It is frequently windy, and spring can be very cool and breezy on the prairie. In summer it is often very hot, with little shade. Beware of cattle and bison on the Dunn Ranch. Some or all areas of the preserve may be temporarily closed due to restoration efforts. Please call the Dunn Ranch office at (660) 867-3866 prior to your visit.

South Harrison School District
The South Harrison School District has an enrollment of close to 900 along with close to 350 students in the North Central Career Central Career Center with the district employing approximately 100 people. The mission of the South Harrison School District is to develop students with a healthy physical, emotional, and intellectual balance that will prepare them to become lifelong learners and productive members of an enlightened, civilized society. Although education is the first priority of the school system, South Harrison offers many different types of athletic activities for student enjoyment such as football, basketball, wrestling, softball and track. Numerous other activities include band, pep club, Science Club, plays and drill team to name a few.
For further information about the district please contact the South Harrison School Office at 660-425-8501 or visit the district website at www.shr2.k12.mo.us.
Bethany is centrally located within a driving distance to four higher educational institutes. The North Central Career Center is located in Bethany and offers different types of technical courses and some community college courses. If you are interested in courses at the community college level, North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri is 39 miles away. If you are interested in a four-year degree, then Missouri Western State University is 70 miles away, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville is 60 miles away and Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa is 30 miles away.

Harrison County is one of nine counties forming the border between Missouri and Iowa. Twenty-sixth in size of Missouri’s 114 counties, and second largest on the border, it was organized in 1845, and named for Missouri Congressman, Albert G. Harrison. Now 720 square miles, it did not achieve its present size until the U.S. Supreme Court established the Missouri-Iowa boundary in 1851.

A county of the fertile Grand River basin, land brought early settlers from Ohio, Illinois and other parts of Missouri and the East in the late 1830s. The region was originally settled by the Sac and Fox Tribes, who lived in the area until the 1840s. In 1842 the surveying of land began.

Harrison County consists of the towns of Eagleville, Ridgeway, Cainsville, Mt. Moriah, New Hampton, Martinsville, Gilman City, Blythedale, and Melbourne. The current courthouse was built in 1950. Harrison County is classified as a third class county with a township form of government. The Harrison County Commission is the executive body. The commission is responsible for the annual county budget, approval of bills and payroll, 911 administration, Harrison County Lake and Harrison County Bridge Department.

Festivals and Fairs
The Northwest Missouri State Fair is held every year beginning the Wednesday prior to Labor Day and ending on Labor Day. The fair features many different entertainment options at the grandstand including the local talent show, a tractor pull, car races, a demolition derby and famous name musical entertainment.

A fair would not be complete without a midway full of rides for the kids and the NWMO Fair is no exception. You can also take in the livestock judging or visit one of the many exhibitors on the fairgrounds. Come bring the whole family. Camp on the grounds and enjoy the hotdogs, corndogs, cotton candy, caramel apples, kettle corn and numerous other food vendors at the fair. NWMO State Fair truly is a great place to bring the kids and enjoy some good old fashioned family fun.

Northwest Missouri State Fall Festival
The event is held every year the second weekend in October on the historic downtown square. This event features antique cars, motorcycles and tractor show, crafts, swap meet, and a pumpkin decorating contest. The Chamber of Commerce holds a Chili and BBQ cook off on Saturday and the Bethany Community Foundation sponsors the apple pie contest. The Harrison County Merchants have sidewalk and garage sales. Saturday evening entertainment features different bands.