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

Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

1. Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park Marker

Side 1

Inscription. Henry Howland Crapo
Near this site stood the home of Henry Howland Crapo (1804-1869). Born in Massachusetts, Crapo in 1858 moved his family to Flint, where he had invested in timber land. Here, he developed a prosperous lumbering business, which became one of the largest and most successful in the state. In 1863-64 Crapo turned his attention to railroading. He was instrumental in the construction of the Flint & Holly Railroad and served as its president until 1868. Originally a Whig, Crapo became a Republican early in his political career. He became mayor of Flint in 1860 and a state senator in 1863. In 1864 he was chosen as Michigan’s thirteenth governor. He was reelected to that post in 1866. Fearing that localities would burden themselves with debt, Crapo opposed measures that permitted communities to subsidize railroads. He died in Flint in 1869.

Willson Park
Willson Park was originally laid out by Governor Crapo as a garden in the early 1860s. Shaped like an amphitheater, it had winding paths and steps bordered with flowering shrubs, perennials, evergreens, and original forest trees. Friends said it was “a garden of surprises, since no one knew what finely arranged display would appear at the next turn in the path.” The garden also contained an octagonal latticed summer

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house, which stood in the park for many years. Following Governor Crapo’s death, the house and garden were maintained by his son-in-law Dr. James C. Willson, after whom the park is named. After Dr. Willson’s death in 1912, his son George offered the site to the public. It is now part of the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint.

Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S579.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 43° 1.037′ N, 83° 41.288′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of East 1st Street and Wallenberg Street, on the right when traveling west on East 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 448 Wallenberg St, Flint MI 48502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Creating an All-American City (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Buick (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wood And Metal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Stewart Mott

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

2. Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park Marker

Side 2

(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Charles Stewart Mott (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Dunbar Buick (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vehicle City Arches (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albert Champion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

3. Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park Marker

Willson Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

4. Willson Park

Photo taken from marker showing path to Wilson Park

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.