Where Was The First Harley-Davidson Store And Is It Still In Business?

Harley-Davidson traces its roots back to 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where its motorcycle engines are still manufactured to this day. Before the founders, William Harley and Arthur Davidson — along with Arthur's brothers — had their first factory, they built their first motorcycles inside a 10-by-15-foot wooden shed. This backyard shop wasn't a dealership in the modern sense, but it was the company's first "storefront," where the team produced and sold its earliest bikes. That shed served as both workshop and factory, laying the groundwork for Harley-Davidson's rise into a global brand. The company sold its very first motorcycle to Henry Meyer, a childhood friend of the Davidson family, directly from this space.

Unfortunately, the original shed didn't survive. Historical records indicate it was moved closer to Harley's Juneau Avenue factory before being accidentally torn down in the 1970s. Today, replicas can be found at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and even inside certain dealerships, like Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson. The site where the Davidson family home and shed once stood is now part of the Miller Brewery parking lot at the corner of 37th Street and Highland Boulevard in Milwaukee. 

Although the first store is long gone, Harley-Davidson honors its significance with these reproductions, allowing riders to connect with the company's earliest history. One of the best ways to appreciate Harley-Davidson culture is the Homecoming Festival, something every Harley enthusiast should try to go to at least once in their life.

The very first Harley-Davidson location is long gone, although its corporate headquarters still operates in the footprint of where the very first factory was. As for the oldest dealership still in operation, there is actually some debate. 

Kegel Harley-Davidson in Rockford, Illinois has been in operation since 1912. That's the oldest continuously-owned Harley dealership. Farrow Harley-Davidson, in Columbus, Ohio has also been open since 1912, although it has bounced between different owners, with the Schipper family now holding the keys. That's a testament to the Harley-Davidson brand and the loyalty of its fans and dealer network. Not only have the dealerships been around since before World War I, there's more than one that can claim that longevity.

In fact, Harley-Davidson is so protective about its brand image, that it actually enforces "oldest dealer" claims, according to a letter that Kegel Harley received in 1997. Serious research goes into dealership claims.