Historical Markers in
Genesee County, Michigan

1834 Clark Dibble Settlement 1834-Site of First Log House 1837 Public Square 1838 Judge Daniel LeRoy's Law Office 1840 Grindstone from Fenton Mills 1889 A.J. Phillips Work Office Albert Champion Amos Woodruff / Amos Woodruff House Applewood Estate Applewood Estate Argentine Township Cemetery At Their Side Automotive Pioneers Berston Field House and Playground Birthplace of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Body By Fisher Bold Moves Boomtown Brent Creek United Methodist Church Burton Rotary Pavilion Burton Veterans Memorial Carriage Town Charles Kettering Charles Stewart Mott Charles Stewart Mott Charles W. Nash Chevrolet Empire Civic Park Clio Depot Community Presbyterian Church Congregational Church Court Street United Methodist Church Creating an All-American City David Buick David Dunbar Buick Davison Farmstead Dibbleville Dibbleville Business District I Dibbleville Business District II Durant And Dort E. S. Swayze Drugstore Fenton House Fenton United Methodist Church First Baptist Church First Methodist Episcopal Church First National Bank of Flint First United Methodist Church Flint Flint Automobile Company Flint Industry / GM Sit-Down Strike Flint Road Cart Factory / Durant-Dort Carriage Factory No. 1 Flushing G.A.R. and Woman's Relief Corps Memorial Flushing Middle East War Memorial Flushing World War I Memorial Flushing World War II Memorial Flushing WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorial Freedom Park Civil War Memorial Freedom Park World War I Memorial Fun and Games Gaines Veterans Memorial Gatehouse Genesee County Civil War Memorial Genesee County Courthouse Genesee County Veterans Memorial George Washington Elm Tree Glenwood Cemetery Grand Blanc Consolidated School Harrison Homestead Henry Howland Crapo / Willson Park Home J. Dallas Dort Jacob Smith / Fred A. Aldrich Josiah Dallas Dort Laing-Mason House Learning Leadership Linden Historic District Linden Mills Linden Presbyterian Church Louis Chevrolet Masonic Temple McFarlan Park Methodist Episcopal Church Michigan School for the Deaf / Superintendent's Cottage Montrose Township Cemetery / Methodist Protestant Church Nash And Chrysler Oakwood Cemetery Veterans Memorial Oakwood Cemetery Veterans Memorial Old Prospect Hill Cemetery Orphans of the Automobile Industry Otisville High School Otto P. Graff Paterson-Sutherland House Preston Bradley Water Wheel Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Renewing an Old Orchard Resisting Slavery / Robert J. Cromwell Riggs Hotel Robert Aitken Farm House Ruth Mott's Point of View Saint Jude's Episcopal Church Sarah Emma Edmonds / Franklin Thompson Simeon Perry Farmstead /Perry Family Sitting For 44 Days Smith Hill Cemetery Soldiers and Sailors Monument St. Michael Roman Catholic Church St. Paul's Episcopal Church Stockton House / Thomas Stockton Terrace Reconstruction Project The American Legion Memorial Highway The Buick Open The Country School The Daniels House The Demonstration Garden The Flint Sit-Down The Freedman House The General Motors Sit-Down Strike The Heart of the Farm The Heroes of United Flight 93 The Nelson Webster House The Rise and Fall of Gilkey Creek The Vehicle City Tom Walker's Grist Mill U.S. Military Road Vehicle City Arches Village Of Gaines / Gaines Depot W. C. Billy Durant Whaley House / Robert J. Whaley William C. Durant William C. Durant / Durant-Dort Carriage Company William Ray Perry House William "Billy" Durant Wood And Metal "Billy" Durant
The name "Michigan" comes from the Ojibwe word "mishigamaa," which means "large water" or "large lake." This refers to Lake Michigan, which is one of the five Great Lakes that border the state.
Michigan random facts
Genesee County, located in southeastern Michigan, has a rich and colorful history that spans over two centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Ojibwa and the Ottawa, who utilized the fertile land for hunting and trading. The county takes its name from the Genesee River, which means "pleasant valley" in the Seneca language.

European settlement in Genesee County began in the early 1800s, with the establishment of trading posts and the construction of Fort Saginaw near present-day Saginaw. The county was officially formed in 1835 and its first permanent settlement, Flint, became a major center of industry due to its location along the Flint River.

In the mid-19th century, Genesee County experienced rapid growth and played a significant role in the state's development. The construction of canals and the arrival of the railroad facilitated transportation and boosted agricultural and manufacturing activities. Flint, in particular, became a leading manufacturer of carriages, wagons, and later automobiles.

The county faced significant challenges during the economic downturn of the late 20th century. The decline of the automotive industry had a severe impact on the local economy and resulted in job losses and population decline. However, efforts to revitalize the area have been made through initiatives focusing on diversifying the economy and attracting new industries, as well as investing in education and community development.

Today, Genesee County is a vibrant region that blends its historical heritage with a focus on innovation and progress. It is home to cultural attractions, such as the Flint Cultural Center, which houses museums, theaters, and the Flint Institute of Arts. The county also boasts beautiful natural landscapes, including the Genesee County Parks and the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, providing residents and visitors with recreational opportunities.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Genesee County, Michigan.

  • 1813: Genesee County is established as a county in the Michigan Territory.
  • 1819: The first court session is held in Flint, the county seat of Genesee County.
  • 1836: The new county courthouse is built in Flint.
  • 1842: The Grand Trunk Western Railroad is completed, connecting Flint to other major cities in Michigan.
  • 1882: The first automobile is built in Flint by William Crapo Durant.
  • 1905: General Motors (GM) is founded in Flint by William Durant.
  • 1936: The Flint sit-down strike, a pivotal moment in the labor movement, takes place at General Motors plants.
  • 1986: Genesee Valley Center, the largest shopping mall in Flint and Genesee County, opens.
  • 2014: Flint is hit by a water crisis, as lead-contaminated water supply leads to a state of emergency.