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

Creating an All-American City

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

1. Creating an All-American City Marker

Inscription. Relationships have made this city great. During the city's prosperous and close relationship with General Motors, Flint could claim to be one of the most thriving cities in the United States. Relationships within the community were tested by the Beecher Tornado that devastated northeast Flint on June 8, 1953, killing 116 people and destroying 300 homes.

For its relief efforts, Flint was named an "All-American City" by the National Municipal League and Look magazine. This relief included $100,000 from General Motors, $150,000 from the United Auto Workers, and $200,000 from GM employee payroll deductions.

You Auto Know
7,800 people of all ages worked in 90 degree heat to rebuild 193 homes destroyed by the tornado.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is June 8, 1953.

Location. 43° 1.084′ N, 83° 41.297′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of East Kearsley Street and Wallenberg Street, on the right when traveling east on East Kearsley Street. Located at northern edge of Wilson Park. Touch for map.

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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. Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Albert Champion (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Buick (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Dunbar Buick (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis Chevrolet (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Stewart Mott (approx. 0.2 miles away); William C. Durant (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Charles Stewart Mott (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

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

2. Creating an All-American City Marker

Photographed By Photo courtesy: Sloan Museum, Flint, July 26, 2021

3. Creating an All-American City Marker

Saginaw Street during the 1950s

Courtesy Kettering University Archives, Flint, July 26, 2021

4. Creating an All-American City Marker

Close-up of tornado photos from 1953

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 92 times since then and 8 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.