During the last few months of the current economic crisis, many car dealerships have had to close their doors. One dealership that has weathered this and several other tough financial markets is also the nation’s longest-running family-owned vehicle retailer, W. Hare & Son. From the era of the Conestoga wagon to the present day and hybrid cars, this Indiana-based dealership has survived more than a century and a half of ups and downs of continuous operation.

The saga began in 1847 when Wesley Hare began building wagons, carriages, and buggies in his log cabin in Noblesville, Indiana. His main market was the steady stream of Americans heading west to California in search of gold. All of his vehicles came with a one-year warranty on their axles, wheels, and springs.

Hare’s business was booming. Before long, he added 45 employees and amassed a small fortune.

Shortly after the Civil War ended in 1865, Hare’s son, EM, took over the business and the company officially became W. Hare & Son. Operations were moved to a four-story building with an elevator, a rare commodity for the time. Ultimately, the business produced about 700 buggies a year.

However, around the turn of the century, EM realized that the “horseless carriage” might have a future. Against the advice of his employees, Hare signed contracts with Hupmobile, Studebaker, and Cadillac to sell some of these motorized buggies. By 1912, these cars comprised most of his business.

Eventually six generations of hares would run the dealership. Each manager had their own unique business challenges. For example, during the Great Depression, the dealership had to rely on their towing service to increase the bottom line. When manufacturers ceased all car production during World War II, Hare had no cars to sell for three and a half years. Lube work and tune-ups filled the void.

Today, visitors to Hare’s showroom can see a bit of the company’s history. The walls display a 90-foot-long mural depicting the journey. Additionally, the showroom is also home to two Hare buggies built in the 1870s.

The current managers, Courtney Cole and Monica Peck, who are the great-great-granddaughters of Wesley Hare, have to keep up with current marketing trends. Hare currently offers 50 service booths, a photo booth for online ads and about 1,000 new Chevrolets on his sales lot. They sell around 300 cars per month and employ 150 people.

Regardless of what the future holds, their place in history is assured. They top a list compiled by the National Automobile Dealers of American dealerships that have been in continuous business for 100 years or more. The top ten on the list include:
1847, W. Hare & Son, Inc., Noblesville, Indiana
1852, Schaefer & Bierlein, Inc., Frankenmuth, Michigan.
1859, Reynolds’ Garage & Marine, Inc., Lyme, Connecticut
1875, Kemmann Chevrolet, Inc., Lowden, Iowa
1875 Normandin Chrysler/Jeep, San Jose, California
1885, Moser Motor Sales, Inc., Bern, Indiana
1895, Ferman Motor Car Co., Inc., Tampa, Florida
1897, Hill International Trucks, LLC, East Liverpool, Ohio
1898, Eich Motor Co., St. Cloud, Minn.
1900, Diehl Ford, Inc., Bellingham, Wash.