Toluu

All Things Buick

A History of the Buick Factories at Flint Michigan.

Leonard ThygesenJanuary 6

Leonard sent this photo of his yard, showing the old SEASONS GREETINGS sign that used to be displayed on the Buick powerhouse. He stated it now contains 2000 lights. You can see him recovering this piece of history in his fine film showing the demolition at Buick. Thanks a million Leonard. "MERRY CHRISTMAS"

Hamilton and IndustrialDecember 15 2008

A panorama of the two photos below. This is sometime during the 20's.
The axle plant is on the left,then factory #01 with the main office at right.
The Industrial bank is on the left,with Buick axle plant on the right.

1935 Drive awayDecember 11 2008

The photo above shows the central kitchen which prepared and delivered meals to the workers. This photo was taken before the remodeling of #11. The overhead bridge has not been built yet. the wood framed structures west of #43 would be removed by 1935.
This photo shows Buick dealers and salesman from Ohio gathering for a Buick Drive away in 1935. This view is looking west from the roof of the main kitchen, building #43, built around 1920. They are standing under the overhead bridge #20 that brought engines to final assembly from factory #11/24 engine test. These are the new Buick Special's which put Buick back on the map. The factory in the background is #29 Toolmakers.

Buick WorkersDecember 9 2008

This photo looks to be the same location as the photo of Mike's grand father shown in the previous post.

James Arthur ProcunierDecember 9 2008

Mike stated,
I really enjoyed going through your Buick blog. It looks like you've put in a lot of work on it. I haven't spent much time in Flint, but my father was born there and grandfather raised there. I've attached a picture that I just came upon in my late grandfather's things. The hand written inscription on the back reads "Buick Motor Car Co. 1908 - Flint, Michigan". Can you identify where the picture was taken? My great-grandfather James Arthur Procunier is in 3rd row, 4th from right. "GERRY REPLYS" You can see the sawtooth windows in the roof when you look through the window panes. Also the pillars and window configuration would make this the west wall of factory #11. History tells us this building was built in 1909 so I tend to believe that the inscription on the back was added at a latter date. Either that or the date of construction of #11 is off which I doubt. More research is required if Mikes photo is correctly dated. Thanks for this lost piece of history Mike. "MIKES REPLY"..Wow... you should work for CSI. You're right, I didn't notice sawtooth windows until I really looked. The really telling thing is that the bench from my picture p