Harrison River adopted in the 1909 BC Gazetteer, as labelled on Arrowsmith's map of 1846, and on Trutch's 1871 map of British Columbia, etc. "Creek River (see Harrison River)" identified in the 1930 BC Gazetteer. Harrison River re-approved 6 October 1936 on 92H/ W.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"These springs [Harrison Hot Springs].... (hot sulphur) are noted for their curative powers." (1909 BC Gazetteer). The name Harrison River antedates that of Harrison Lake. The person commemorated is Benjamin Harrison, deputy governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1835-39 (12 May 1926 letter from BC Geographic Division to R. Douglas, Geographic Board of Canada)

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"After Benjamin Harrison, a philanthropic Quaker who was first a director and then, 1835-39, deputy governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. For 50 years, without salary, he served as treasurer of Guy's Hospital, London. The hot springs were discovered accidentally one wintry day when a boat upset and its occupants, expecting to perish in the icy water of the lake, were amazed to find themselves in warm water."

Source: Akrigg, Helen B. and Akrigg, G.P.V; 1001 British Columbia Place Names; Discovery Press, Vancouver 1969, 1970, 1973.