Our Stories

Rachel v. Walker

Flint has played a starring role in so many seminal moments in American history, it’s hard to place a qualitative label on all of them. But without question one of the most consequential involves the case of Colonel Thomas Stockton, and his slave Rachel.

Floyd McCree

Floyd McCree was a Flint City Councilman and the first black mayor of a major American city post-Reconstruction.

County Courthouse

A beautiful example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture, this courthouse is the fifth to stand in this location

Governor Josiah Begole

Michigan's 19th Governor, Flint's Josiah Begole: Advocate for Equality, Farmer, Lumber Baron, Wagon Maker

Flint's Municipal complex

NYC's famed "master builder" of the twentieth century, Robert Moses, provided guidance for Flint's complex

PEOPLE, PLaces, and Events

The people who made Genesee County are among the most compelling in American history. Indeed, it’s a collection of talent that traverses the rich span of time to gather into a mosaic of stories that will surprise, shock, motivate, educate, and entertain you in the most unexpected ways.

Our website is a work in progress, and since history is always being made, it probably always will be! Return to this site regularly to read new biographies, updated history finds, interviews, articles, links, and more.

The bold, black titles found within the categories can be expanded to learn more. Start the journey that is both fun and enlightening!

Titles in bold black indicate link to more information.

PEOPLE

Indigenous

Anishinabek/Ojibwe/Chippewa
Ottawa

Early settlers

Jacob Smith

Business Leaders and Innovators

Fred Aldrich
William Atwood
William Ballenger
A. G. Bishop
David Dunbar Buick
Albert Champion
Louis Chevrolet
Walter P. Chrysler
Lloyd Copeman
Henry H. Crapo
Harlow Curtice
J. Dallas Dort
William C. "Billy" Durant
Tom Gores
Phil Hagerman
A.B.C. Hardy
Clarence Kelly Johnson
Charles Kettering
Walter Marr
Arthur Mason
Charles Stewart Mott
Charles Nash
William Patterson
Eugene Richard
Alfred Sloan
W. F. Stewart
Robert Whaley
James Whiting

politics

Governor Josiah Begole
Henry H. Crapo
William M. Fenton
Floyd McCree
Rachel v. Walker: Freedom Suit
Alfred Summerfield
Olivia 'Libby" Maynard
James Sharp

Social innovators

James Hurley
Genora Johnson
Frank Manley
Ester Cram Marsh
Dr. John Wesley Moore
Elizabeth Welch

sports

Jim Abbott - Olympic Baseball, MLB
Scott Aldred - MLB
Tom Alward - NFL
Eldon Auker - MLB
Carl Banks - NFL
Floyd Bates - Harlem Globetrotters
Charlie Bell - NBA
Roger Bernard - Boxing
John Bero - MLB
Doug Blom - Boxing
Leroy Bolden - NFL
Steve Boros - MLB
Tony Branoff - Football
Lloyd Brazil - Football
Wayman Bitt - NBA
Buick Racing Team - Auto Racing
"Wild" Bob Burman - Auto Racing
Leon Burton - AFL
Tony Burton - Football
Chris Byrd - Boxing
Steve Bysco - Bowling
Brian Carpenter - NFL
Brandon Carr - NFL
Albert Champion - Cycling
Lynn Chandnois - NFL
Louis Chevrolet - Auto Racing
Mateen Cleeves - NBA
Don Coleman - Football
Ollie Craven - Bowler
Shawn Cronin - NHL
André Dirrell - Boxing
Anthony Dirrell - Boxing
Jim Doyle - Softball
Ellis Duckett - NFL
Tonya Edwards - WNBA
Grant Fisher - Track and Field
John Fisher - Wrestling
Terry Furlow - NBA
Lamar Gant - Weightlifting
Geena Gall - Olympics, Track and Field
Howard Gilroy - Bowler
Jeff Grayer - Olympic Basketball, NBA
George Guerre - Football
Jeff Hamilton - MLB
Chuck Hanneman - NFL
Mark Harris - Basketball
Courtney Hawkins - NFL
George Hoey - NFL
Dave Hoskins - MLB
Jerry Hosnery - Water Skiing
Mark Ingram, Jr. - NFL
Mark Ingram, Sr. - NFL
Darryl Johnson - NBA
Dennis Johnson - NFL
Erwin Kitzler - Archery
Paul Krause - NFL
Ed Krupa
Sophie Kurys - Baseball
Kyle Kuzma - NBA
Rick Leach - MLB
Jock Leslie - Boxing
Todd Lyght - NFL
Roy Marble - NBA
Bart Markel - Motocross
Eugene Marve - NFL
John Mathews - Olympic Wrestling
Joe Mays - MLB
Bruce McIenna - NFL
Javale McGee - NBA
Pamela McGee - Olympic Basketball
Paula McGee - Olympic Basketball
Linell McKinney - WBL
Mike Menosky - MLB
Bud Messenger - MLB
Brent Metcalf - Wrestling
Michael Miller - NFL
Hank Minarik - NFL
Larry Mitchell - MLB
Booker Moore - NFL
Deanne More - Softball
Monte Morris - NBA
Jim Morrisey - NFL
Ken Morrow - Olympics, NHL
Craig Morton - NFL
Deanna Nolan - WNBA
Scott Parker - Motocross
Ricky Patton - NFL
Clarence Peaks - NFL
Morris Peterson - NBA
Jim Podoley - NFL
Joe Ponsetto - Football
Bob Powell - NFL
Ron Pruitt - MLB
Brian Rolston - NHL
Thomas Rawls - NFL
Bobby Reed - MLB
Merv Rettemund - MLB
Sue Novara-Reber - Cyclist
Bobby Reynolds - NHL
Greg Reynolds - Golf
Russ Reynolds - NFL
Glen Rice -NBA
André Rison - NFL
Jeanette Robinson - Bowler
Bob Rowe - NFL
Jon Runyan - NFL
Mike Secrest - Cycling
Jack Seltzer - Golf
Dan Severn - Wrestling, MMA
Clarissa Shields - Boxing
Dan Skuta - NFL
Antonio Smith
Robaire Smith - NFL
Steve Smith - CFL/NFL
Jay Springsteen - Motocross
Pam Stockton-Brady - Badminton
Barry Stokes - NFL
Paul Staroba - NFL
Bob Suci - NFL
Leo Sugar - NFL
Frank Szepanski - Bowling
Justice Thigpen - NBA
Jesse Thomas - NFL
Stacey Thomas - WNBA
Tim Thomas - NHL
Trent Tucker - NBA
Daryl Turner - NFL
Eric Turner - Basketball
Brad Van Pelt - NFL
Coquese Washington - WNBA
George Washington-NFL
Herb Washington - MLB
Mala' Vai Washington - Tennis
Jennie Weiss - Golfer
Mickey Weston - MLB
Brent Williams - NLF
Reggie Williams - NFL
Bill Yambrick - Football
Lonnie Young - NFL

Arts and Entertainment

Arthur Jerome Eddy
Bob Bell
Bob Eubanks
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Doctor Ross
Ernie Gilbert
Frank Price
Grand Funk Railroad
Kasey Kasem
M.C. Breed
Nancy Kovack
Question Mark and the Mysterians
Rachel DiPillo
Ready for the World
Sandra Bernhard
Sherm Mitchell
Terry Crews
The Velvelettes
Tony Burton

Military

4th Calvary
102nd U.S. Colored Troops
Fenton Light Guards, 8th Regiment
Flint Union Grays, F. Co. 2nd Infantry
Stockton's Independent, 16th Infantry
Sarah Emma Edmonds
William McCreery
Colonel Edward Thomson
Colonel Thomas B.W. Stockton

other notables

Alexis de Tocqueville and Gustav de Beaumont
Branoff Family
Dutch Bower
Prosper Champion
William Craft
Enos DeWaters
Mildred Doran
Michael Gorman
Larry Gustin
Corey Foote
Hamady Brothers
John and William McDonald
Dr. Robert McMahan
George Maines
Ruth Rawlings Mott
Arabella Rankin
Bill Thomas
Francis Wilson Thompson
Clarence H. Young

PLACES

Flint

Robert P. Aitken Farm House
Applewood Estate
Atwood Stadium
Autoworld
Berston Fieldhouse
Buick Motor Company
Capitol Theatre Building
Carriage Town
Chevy-in-the-Hole
Civic Park Historic District
College and Cultural Center
Community Presbyterian Church
Coney Islands
Court Street United Methodist Church
Dresden Hotel
Drive-in's
Durant Automobile Factory/Fisher Body/GM Tech Center/Diplomat Pharmacy
Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters National Landmark
Durant Garage
Durant Hotel
Eastside Neighborhood
Dryden Building
Early Service Clubs
Elks Lodge Building
Factory One
First Chevrolet Factory
First Buick Factory
First Methodist Episcopal Church
First National Bank and Trust Co.
Flint Arches
Flint High School
Flint Central High School
Flint Golf Club
Flint Masonic Temple
Flint Public Library
Flint Sit-Down Strike Marker
Flint Wagon Works
Fourth Ward Evangelical Church
Frederick Miner House
Genesee County Courthouse
Glenwood Cemetery
GMI (Kettering)
Golden Leaf
Henry H. Stevens Moving
Hurley Hospital
IMA Safetyville
IMA Auditorium
Jacob Smith Trading Post
Kearsley Park
Longway Planetarium
McFarlan Veterans Memorial Park
McLaren Hospital
Michigan School for the Deaf
Morris A. Knight House
Mott Foundation Building
Municipal Complex
Charles W. Nash House
Northbank Center
Oak Park Methodist Episcopal Church
Old Calvary Cemetery
William A. Paterson Factory Complex
Pere Marquette Train Station
Quinn Chapel A.M.E Church
Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Joseph's Hospital
Jacob Smith/Fred A. Aldrich
Smith-Bridgeman's
Stockton House
St. John Street Neighbor
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Todd Tavern
Vehicle City (Designation)
Vernors Mural
Robert J. Whaley House
What Cheer Mine #2
Willson Park

argentine

Argentine Cemetery
Argentine Mill

Burton

Little Missouri Neighborhood

clio

Clio Depot
McLean House
Thetford Township Hall

davison

Kitchen School Building
Charles A. Uptegraff House
Christopher B. Uptegraff House
Woolley Building

forest township

Smith Hill Cemeter

fenton

Dibbleville
Fenton Downtown Historic Site
Fenton Grain Elevator
Fenton Hotel
Fenton Mill
Fenton Old Town Historic District
Fenton United Methodist Church
Old Prospect Hill Cemetery
St. Jude's Episcopal Church
George W. Wilmot House

flushing

First Methodist Episcopal Church
Flushing Community Center
Harrison Homestead
Daniel O'Sullivan House/Halfway House
Toledo, Saginaw and Mackinaw Railroad Flushing Depot
Amos M. Woodruff House

grand blanc

Congregational Church of Grand Blanc
Consolidated School System
John West Davison Farmstead
First Baptist Church
William A. Perry House
Perry Farm
Whigville

linden

Linden Downtown Historic District
Linden Grist Mill
Linden Presbyterian Church
James H. Murray House

mount morries

Crossroads Village
First United Methodist Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Voiture 1116 - 40 et 8

mundy township

Mason's Tavern

otisville

E. S. Swayze Drugstore
West Forest United Methodist Church

swartz creek

Crapo Farm
Horace Gilbert/Morgan and Enos Miller House
Swartz Creek Cemetery

EVENTS

50 Millionth Buick
1918 Spanish Influenza
2016 Democratic Presidential Debate
Back to the Bricks
Beecher Tornado
Bobby Crim Festival of Races
The Buick Open
Birthplace of General Motors
DeTocqueville's Visit
First Buick Test Drive
First White Settlers: Grand Blanc
F.D.R. Visits Flint
John F. Kennedy Visits Flint
Presidential Visits
Sit-down Strike
Central vs. Northern Thanksgiving Day Games
The League of Gentlemen Scandal
The Who Play Atwood Stadium
Treaty of 1819
War of 1812 - Michigan History