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.

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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 and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 8, 1953.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 43° 1.084′ N, 83° 41.297′ W. Marker was

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in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. It was 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. Marker was at or near this postal address: 448 Wallenberg St, Flint MI 48502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Michigan.

It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Otis Milton Smith, Trailblazing Leadership (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexis de Tocqueville (about 700 feet away); 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). Touch for a list and map

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

2. Creating an All-American City Marker

of all markers in Flint.

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

Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 27, 2026

5. Creating an All-American City Marker

Post of missing marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 5. submitted on July 13, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.