Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Flint Automobile Company

Starting with A. B. C.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 28, 2019

1. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker

Inscription.
Could it be done here?
Hardy was vacationing in Europe when he noticed the advancements being made there in automobiles. Hardy realized the auto's potential in America, but was unable to convince Flint's carriage makers to turn to automobile production. On his own, Hardy founded the Flint Automobile Company in 1901.

Hardy's company, located at 100 Mill Street,
employed six men and produced just 52 autos before the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers sued, claiming patent infringement. Hardy closed his business rather than fight the lawsuit.

You Auto Know
Hardy's Flint Automobile Company was the first car manufacturer in Flint.

Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 43° 1.301′ N, 83° 40.872′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is on East Kearsley Street west of Crapo Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 923 East Kearsley Street, Flint MI 48503, 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. Josiah Dallas Dort (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whaley House / Robert J. Whaley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flint (approx. 0.2 miles away); Applewood Estate (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Heart of the Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Demonstration Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gatehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Also see . . . Durant-Dort Carriage Company. Wikipedia article that includes a paragraph about Alexander Brownell Cullen Hardy and A.B.C. Hardy's Flint Automobile Company. (Submitted on December 23, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Sloan Museum, Flint.

2. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper left image

This undated photograph shows a young A.B.C. Hardy at work. Prior to joining the Durant-Dort Carriage Company he worked at the Wolverine Road Cart Company in Davison, Michigan.

Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - lower left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.

3. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - lower left image

Advertisement from 1902 for the Flint Roadster.

Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper middle image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.

4. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper middle image

The Hardy Residence at the corner of Kearsley and Crapo Streets was donated to the College and Cultural Center in the 1950s and torn down for the School Board Administration Building.

Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.

5. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - upper right image

A.B.C. Hardy, first auto manufacturer in Flint.

Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - lower right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Sloan Museum, Flint.

6. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker - lower right image

Hardy built fifty-two of his roadsters before being forced out of business by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM). Because it held an automobile patent, the ALAM demanded $50 for each car Hardy built. Hardy refused and returned to horse drawn vehicles.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 28, 2019

7. Flint Automobile Company: Starting with A. B. C. Marker

View looking westerly down East Kearsley Street. The Flint Community Schools Administration Building is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 23, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.