Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021
1. William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company Marker
Side 1
William Crapo Durant (1861-1947), one of Flint’s most important historical figures, was a pioneer in the development of the American auto industry. Durant’s vehicle ventures began in 1886, when, with a borrowed $1,500, he bought the rights to build a two-wheeled road cart. Nine years later the Flint Road Cart Company, begun by Durant and his partner, Dallas Dort, became the Durant-Dort Carriage Company. Durant took over Flint’s tiny Buick Motor Company in 1904. He turned it into the largest American producer of automobiles by 1908, and, on Buick’s success, founded General Motors in September of that year. In 1911 he and Louis Chevrolet founded the Chevrolet Motor Company, which combined with General Motors seven years later. Parting with General Motors in the 1920s, Durant founded Durant Motors Company and its subsidiaries but went bankrupt during the depression. He died in New York City.
William C. Durant and his business partner, J. Dallas Dort, completed this building in 1896. It was originally the headquarters of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, one of the largest volume producers of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States at the turn of the century. Many of the decisions that led to the birth of General Motors, now the
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Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0343.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 43° 1.035′ N, 83° 41.762′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of West Water Street and Mason Street, on the left when traveling east on West Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 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. Nash And Chrysler (a few steps from this marker); Durant And Dort (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles W. Nash (within shouting distance of this marker); Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021
2. William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company Marker
Side 2
Regarding William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company. Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021
3. William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021
4. Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021
5. NRHP plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
