Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1
This one-story mill was built in the early 1880s as part of an unsuccessful effort to diversify the Flint Woolen Mills. In 1886 J. Dallas Dort and Billy Durant began leasing it to manufacture road carts. By the end of its first year of operation, their Flint Road Cart Company had produced 4,000 vehicles. The company later expanded to produce four-wheeled carriages, wagons and, for a short time, bicycles. The company ceased carriage manufacturing in 1917, and this building and other surrounding factories were converted to the manufacture of the Dort Motor Car.
Built in 1888 this building exemplifies the dramatic growth of the Flint Road Cart Company, which became the Durant-Dort Carriage Company. During the 1890s Durant-Dort expanded its Blue Ribbon line to include Webster Vehicle farm wagons, the Victoria Vehicle Company's mail-order business and the Diamond Buggy Company. By 1900, Durant-Dort was the largest volume producer of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. In 1906, its peak year, it employed 1,000 people and produced 56,000 vehicles.
Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1395.)
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 1886.
Location. 43° 1.039′ N, 83° 41.723′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of West Water Street and Lyon Street, on the right when traveling east on West Water 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. Durant And Dort (within shouting distance of this marker); Nash And Chrysler (within shouting distance of this marker); Bold Moves (within shouting distance of this marker); William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage Town (within shouting distance of this marker); W. C. Billy Durant (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Dallas Dort (within shouting distance of this marker); "Billy" Durant (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
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 423 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 19, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.