Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Billy" Durant
and the Birth of General Motors
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
1. "Billy" Durant Marker
He knew what worked.
Billy Durant had the experience of the carriage industry and his success with the Buick Motor Company. In 1908, he set out to form General Motors by acquiring Oldsmobile, based in Lansing, and on September 16, 1908 the company was incorporated. Durant then bought Oakland Motor Company, located in Pontiac, and Cadillac of Detroit. General Motors began purchasing other automobile companies at a rate of one every thirty days.
Builly Durant was a person who could charm a bird right down out of a tree. -Walter Chrysler
You Auto Know
Durant made an offer to buy Ford but could not raise the cash need to finalize the deal.
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 date for this entry is September 16, 1908.
Location. 43° 1.004′ N, 83° 41.693′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. It can be reached from West Water Street near Lyon Street. Located on the riverwalk of the west side of the Flint River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Orphans of the Automobile Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Durant And Dort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Washington Elm Tree (about 300 feet away); Nash And Chrysler (about 300 feet away); Bold Moves (about 300 feet away); Carriage Town (about 300 feet away); W. C. Billy Durant (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
2. "Billy" Durant Marker
Marker along the riverwalk of the Flint River.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
3. "Billy" Durant Marker
Inset photo (top left) caption: Oldsmobile joined Buick as the first auto manufacturers to become General Motors in 1908. Photo courtesy of Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
4. "Billy" Durant Marker
Inset photo (middle left) caption: Oakland Motor Company was the third company in
General Motors, joining in 1909. In 1926 Oakland introduced the Pontiac which sold so well that by 1931 only Pontiacs were being sold. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
5. "Billy" Durant Marker
Inset photo (middle bottom) caption: Cadillac joined General Motors in 1909 and was the first to offer an electric starter in 1912. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021
6. "Billy" Durant Marker
Inset photo (top middle) caption: Billy Durant - Founder of General Motors. Photo courtesy of the Kettering University Archives, Flint.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
