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     Fred D. Hansen founded the business in 1918 when he was discharged from the service after World War I. It was called "Hansen Garage" and sold Maxwell cars, which were the forerunners of Plymouth. The original location was nicknamed "Gasoline Alley"; a big two-story barn in the alley behind what is now the area of the Radio Shack store. The original franchise was for the "Star" car made by Durant Motors. The first new vehicle was a truck sold to Rae Walters for use at the rendering plant. It is believed that the first new car customer was Walter Bell, a mail carrier.

     The business was moved to a barn east of what is now the Newspaper office and then to a building at 1006 5th Street. The Chrysler franchise was added about 1926. In 1930, Mr. Hansen built a new building at the corner of 8th and Market at the site of an orchard. This structure is commonly known as the "Petsche Plumbing" building which now contains office space. Used cars were kept one block north at the site of Smith Livery Barn. In 1939, he added a new car showroom east of the garage.

     The name was changed to "Harlan Garage" when the business was sold to Vandenburg and Vichecker in 1945. In 1947, Gale Vandenburg bought his partner and the name was changed to "Vandenburg Motors". The name "Harlan Auto Mart, Inc" originated when the business incorporated in 1963 and was owned by Vandenburg, Peters and Breach. The location was moved to 12th and Chatburn. In 1972, the business was sold to A.L. Krogstad, and moved to the present location in 1977. Pat Byrnes purchased the corporation in 1979, and he continued to operate it for the next twenty years. Mike Byrnes purchased the corporation in 1999 and is the current owner.