Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Crapo “Billy” Durant 1861-1947

Agriculture, Business and Industry

William Crapo “Billy” Durant Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Rieske, May 26, 2017

1. William Crapo “Billy” Durant Marker

Inscription.
Unlike most automotive pioneers, Flint’s William Durant was not an inventor. Co-owner of the nation’s largest horse-drawn carriage company, he was a super salesman who saw the sales and marketing potential of the automobile.

Impressed with a 1904 Buick, Durant reorganized the company. In 1908 he incorporated General Motors, which was capitalized at $2,000. Within the first two years, Durant brought more than 30 firms into GM, including Buick, Cadillac, Oakland (Pontiac), Oldsmobile and the predecessors of the AC Spark Plug and GMC Truck. Forced out of GM, Durant formed Chevrolet and other companies. After gaining and losing control of GM again, he created Durant Motors, which had factories in Flint and Lansing.

Erected 2007.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 42° 44.153′ N, 84° 33.124′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is on North Washington Square, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 309 N Washington Sq, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elijah McCoy 1843-1929 (a few steps from this marker); Muzyad Yahkoob “Danny Thomas”

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(a few steps from this marker); Walter Reuther 1907-1970 (a few steps from this marker); Jonas Salk (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordie Howe (within shouting distance of this marker); Eero Saarinen (within shouting distance of this marker); Drs. Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mack-e-te-be-nessy “Andrew J. Blackbird” c. 1815-1908 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . William C. Durant, from Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 16, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photo 1. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.