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

Bold Moves

Bringing Buick to Flint

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

1. Bold Moves Marker

Inscription. It was a time of great risk and adaptation. As the region's forests were exhausted in the late 1800s, the Flint-based lumber firm of Begole, Fox and Company reinvented itself as the Flint Wagon Works. In 1903 the company decided to enter the automobile business and purchased the Buick Motor Company of Detroit. Business was poor until the company brought in William C. Durant from Durant-Dort Carriage Company across the river. Durant rescued the firm and turned Buick into a top seller in just a few years.

You Auto Know
The Flint Wagon Works paid $10,000 to purchase the Buick Motor Company in 1903.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 43° 1.058′ N, 83° 41.696′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of Lyon Street and West Water Street, on the right when traveling north on Lyon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 W Water St, Flint MI 48503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. W. C. Billy Durant (a few steps from this marker); Carriage Town (a few steps from this marker); J. Dallas Dort

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(a few steps from this marker); Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Elm Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Durant And Dort (within shouting distance of this marker); Nash And Chrysler (within shouting distance of this marker); Orphans of the Automobile Industry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Bold Moves Marker (inset middle left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

2. Bold Moves Marker (inset middle left)

Caption: David Dunbar Buick was a plumbing inventor and manufacturer that turned to gasoline engines in the 1890's. Photo courtesy of the Sloan Museum, Flint.

James whiting of the Flint Wagon Works is credited with the idea of purchasing the struggling Buick Motor Company and moving it from Detroit to Flint. He would later ask his business rival, Billy Durant, to lead Buick. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.

Bold Moves Marker (inset upper right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

3. Bold Moves Marker (inset upper right)

Caption: Walter Marr and Tom Buick on First Street on First Street in the first Buick made in Flint. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

4. Bold Moves Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.