Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Orphans of the Automobile Industry
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
1. Orphans Marker
Between 1900 and 1920, in the automobile industry’s early years, car companies sprang like weeds all over the country. Many of these companies quickly failed, while others were folded into larger manufacturers. Among Flint’s orphaned automobile companies were Flint Roadster, Whiting, Dalton, Little, Best Truck, Flint Truck, Mason Truck, Ewing Taxi, Monroe, Randolph Truck, Paterson, Flint, and the Marr Cycle Car. “I feel that the automobile industry, like practically every other large industry, will ultimately gravitate to a few large organizations. I look upon the present as a testing-time which lead to the passing of the weak and the survival of the fittest.”
-Charles Nash, 1925
You Auto Know
Arthur Mason was associated with Buick, Little, and Chevrolet before building his own Mason Truck company on Flint’s south side.
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 1900.
Location. 43° 1.011′ N, 83° 41.661′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker can be reached from Beach Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Billy" Durant (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Elm Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage Town (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bold Moves (about 300 feet away); Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1 (about 300 feet away); J. Dallas Dort (about 300 feet away); W. C. Billy Durant (about 300 feet away); Durant And Dort (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
2. Marker along the east bank of the Flint River.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
3. Orphans Marker
Inset photo (Top Left) caption: Dort Motor Company salesmen pose with their vehicles on Water Street in front of the factories. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
4. Orphans Marker
Inset photo (Center) caption: William A. Paterson stands with newly manufactured Paterson cars in the plant at Fourth St. and Harrison St. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
5. Orphans Marker
Located in Riverbank Park along the Flint River
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
