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

Ransom Eli Olds Breakthrough

Engines Turning Wheels

— The spark of auto innovation ignited here in the 1890s. —

"Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Rieske, June 6, 2017

1. "Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

P.F. Olds founded a prosperous machine shop here on River Street, repairing and building steam and gasoline engines. His was one of many Lansing Manufacturing plants that produced small engines, carriages, windmills and other equipment used by farmers and businesses. His son, Ransom, had bigger ideas. He port engines in carriages, creating his first successful "horseless carriage" in 1896. A year later, the Olds Motor Vehicle Company became Michigan's first operating automobile company.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 42° 43.784′ N, 84° 32.933′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is on River Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: River Street at the Kalamazoo Plaza, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. First Olds Horseless Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan Pharmacists Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Street School (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ransom Eli Olds / Curved Dash Oldsmobile (about 700 feet away); Henry Ford 1863-1947 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Edison 1847-1931 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ernie Harwell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rosa Parks 1913-2005 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

"Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough" Marker in Kalamazoo Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Rieske, June 6, 2017

2. "Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough" Marker in Kalamazoo Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.