Harlan, a village of Smith county, is located on the north fork of the Solomon river and the Missouri Pacific R. R. 12 miles southeast of Smith Center, the county seat. It has telegraph and express offices, a money order post office with one rural route, and a number of retail stores. The population in 1910 was 175. The town was laid off in 1877 and named in honor of Judge Harlan, a citizen of the county. The first store was opened by F. R. Gruger in 1878. The post office was established in 1877, with A. L. Bailey as postmaster. A weekly newspaper (The Independent) was established about 1878 by Garretson & Topliff. The United Brethren founded Gould College here early in the history of the town.