Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ransom Eli Olds Breakthrough

Engines Turning Wheels

—The spark of auto innovation ignited here in the 1890s. —

"Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough Marker image. Click for full size.

By Bill Rieske, June 6, 2017

1. "Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough Marker

Inscription. P.F. Olds founded a prosperous machine shop here on River Street, repairing and building steam and gasoline engines. His was one of many Lansing Manufacturing plants that produced small engines, carriages, windmills and other equipment used by farmers and businesses. His son, Ransom, had bigger ideas. He port engines in carriages, creating his first successful "horseless carriage" in 1896. A year later, the Olds Motor Vehicle Company became Michigan's first operating automobile company.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Marker series. This marker is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area marker series.

Location. 42° 43.784′ N, 84° 32.933′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is on River Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: River Street at the Kalamazoo Plaza, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Olds Horseless Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan Pharmacists Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom Eli Olds / Curved Dash Oldsmobile

"Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough" Marker in Kalamazoo Plaza image. Click for full size.

By Bill Rieske, June 6, 2017

2. "Ransom E. Olds Breakthrough" Marker in Kalamazoo Plaza

(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Ford 1863-1947 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Edison 1847-1931 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ernie Harwell b. 1918 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rosa Parks 1913-2005 (approx. ¼ mile away); Theater District / The Strand (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

Categories. • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events • Notable Persons •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2017. This page originally submitted on June 6, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.