Earl R. Harris is a native of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where he attended public schools. In 1945 he moved to Deadwood, Souuth Dakota, and later attended Black Hills Teachers College. He is a veteran of the Korean conflict and was a professional musician for four years before becoming associated with the National Park Service, in 1953, at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota.

Besides the B.S. Ed. degree in music, he also holds a Master of Arts degree in American History from Colorado State College. He has written a number of articles and monographs which have appeared in newspapers, quarterlies, and trade magazines.