All Things Buick

Demolition View 2012

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Looks like somebody stormed the old Division Street gate off of Hamilton Avenue.
Leonard Thygesen says: Looking south from Stewart Ave. That is all that is left except a small portion of the high bay which was the aluminum foundry. I think they park the equipment there at night.

I'm sure when I left Monday (January 16, 2012) afternoon, those two structures came down quickly . Also the building that was just north, and attached to 03 is still intact.

They are also sucking the nasty stuff out the water process holding units. PHEW! Really nasty stuff.
Another view showing demolition of factory #05 and #10.
Looking north with factory #31 totally gone now. This site originally had factory #16 running along Industrial Avenue (at the left) until factory #31 was built in 1940. Old factory #66 was also still standing until late July 2011. Factory #11 would have been off to the right. It also fell to demolition in July 2011. Those are factories #05 and #10 in the distance along Stewart Street. These photos come from Leonard Thygesen who does the fine documentaries on film of the demise of Buick and other factories in Flint, Michigan.

War Work 1943

2012-01-04T03:40:00.001-08:00

This shows the front and rear of the M-18 breach block after undergoing machine work in factory #40 at Buick in Flint. Factory #40 did machine work on many different components during world war II. The year is 1943.
This is the breach block on an M-18 tank destroyer during a recent restoration.

William Durant Speaks!

2011-12-01T08:19:00.001-08:00

This recording-on a five inch aluminum disc from the "U&I" broadcasting system, in which Durant was an investor, was recorded as a new years eve greeting on January 1, 1932. It was sent to his wife Catherine's great-aunt Ella Day. It was made public in 1996 by William Durant Radebaugh. This recording is supposedly 3 minutes long, but this is all I have.

Industrial Avenue Paving.

2011-11-26T05:22:00.000-08:00

This shows the paving of the sidewalk along Industrial-around the time of the Brick paving on the street.

Links:

Industrial & Hamilton Avenue 1915.

Industrial & Hamilton Avenue 1913

Industrial and Hamilton.

Industrial Avenue Revisited.

Happy 100th Birthday Chevrolet.

2011-11-03T04:41:00.000-07:00

This is me and my 1966 Caprice (built in Flint) in 2010. I need to take it for a ride soon before the snow fly's. I have completely restored this car from top to bottom. "It is a matching numbers car". Since it had low miles, I only freshened the 396 cu. in. engine with new rings and bearings, plus stainless valves and hardened valve seats. It has an all original black interior with bucket seats plus the gauge package. Those are the original 14 inch wheels. I did go with stainless steel fuel and brake lines. I also added a rear stabilizer. It now has a Poly-graphite front suspension, which maybe I wish I had not done (stiffer ride). I also put higher rate coil springs in the rear and new original spec. coils up front. I have the complete restoration photos on myspace at: photos Cars I have owned: 1961 Chevrolet 4 door Biscayne, 1961 Chevrolet 2 door Impala, 1962 Chevrolet 2 door Impala, 1963 Chevrolet Nova, 1963 Chevrolet Impala convertible, 1966 Ford Galaxy convertible, 1968 Chevrolet Caprice, 1972 Buick LeSabre, 1972 Chevrolet Suburban, 1974 Chevrolet Caprice, 1975 Buick regal, 1976 Buick Regal, 1978 Buick LeSabre T-type, 1981 Chevrolet Chevette, 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier wagon, 1982 Pontiac Phoenix, 1987 Cavalier 2 door, 1987 Buick LeSabre, 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1995 Chevy ext. cab Silverado truck (still have), 1966 Chevrolet Caprice (still have), 2001 Buick Park Avenue (still have). This is not the exact order but pretty close. I may have forgotten one or two but this is about it.
My sister bought one of these new Camaro's a few months back. Her car is solid red with a smaller V8.
A 1955 at the Buick Gallery in Flint, Michigan. My father had a 4 door in this two tone only the bottom color was turquoise and his only had the old "stove-bolt" six.
A 1947 convertible at the Buick Gallery in Flint, Michigan.
This is the car shown below. It is a General Motors milestone car.
A 67 Caprice at the Buick Gallery in Flint, Michigan.
A 1962 4 door Impala at the Buick Gallery in Flint, Michigan. I had one of these (my favorite car) only mine was a two door with a 283 cu. in. and cast iron Powerglide and was red with a white top and red interior. "It met an awful end".
The 265 cu. in. V8 at the Buick Gallery in Flint, Michigan. "I sure worked on a lot of these back in the day".
A 1931 at the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan.
The 1920 490 at the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan.
The Classic six at the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan. This is the only survivor in the U.S. The other is in Canada. "This is the car that Louis Chevrolet himself designed". Durant's plans to fill the void left from Buick discontinuing the model 10 and also to compete with Ford's model T did not include a car of this size, or price.
Louis Chevrolet.
Louis Chevrolet.
Louis Chevrolet.
Louis Chevrolet.
War work at Chevrolet.
War work at Chevrolet.
War work at Chevrolet.
Engine work at Chevrolet in 1918

This photo, that is often identified as showing Buick body's being built, is in actuality, the Chevy body plant 2.
This is the same view as shown below, only farther up the bluff, and earlier in time.
This photo from the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan is looking north up Wilcox st which would later be re-named Chevrolet Avenue.

The photo (above this diagram), which I have not posted before, was taken from in front of factory 6 (facing west across the Flint river) and is showing factory 2 body shop. That is the powerhouse 11 at the left. My Grandfather and I both worked at this location. I was there in 1973-1974 and he was there during the sit down strike in 1937. I never worked in factory 2 but did work in 4, 5, 6 and 9. Believe me when I say: This was, "Chevy In The Hole" in more ways than one, "emphasis on the hole". It was called the hole because of the valley it was in, but those that worked there had a little bit different meaning for "the hole". I much preferred working at Buick.
The yellow arrow shows the location and direction of the photograph shown above.
Factory designations of Chevy in the hole. Links:

Chevrolet Memorabilia.

Sit-Down Strike marker defaced

Flint Photos Supplied From The Weaver Family

My Cars

Original Buick Factory In Flint Michigan

My Family at General Motors

1920 Chevy in the hole

David Buick's Marvelous Motor Car

2011-11-02T05:27:00.001-07:00

This expanded second edition is the "REAL DEAL" for anyone interested in the early life of David Buick. The first edition was "MARVELOUS" and this new edition is even better. A must have for any Buick historian. The research done by both of these well known Buick historians is absolutely top shelf. It is well written, with many great photographs that will take you back to a time when the automobile was just in it's infancy. "Great job gentlemen"! Link for purchase: Amazon.com

David Dunbar Buick 1891 -1921

2011-11-02T03:17:00.000-07:00

David Buick and his longtime partner in the plumbing trade. This story is from 1891.

Author & historian: Kevin Kirbitz just sent along this 1894 photo of David Buick when he was President and General Manager of the Buick & Sherwood manufacturing company in Detroit.

Here is better copy of the photo below, that I just received from author: Kevin Kirbitz. This photo is found in their new book.
I had found this photo a while back for sale on E-bay, but was reluctant to post it because of the strange context in which he appears. Well I just purchased the new (second edition) book "David Buick's Marvelous Motor Car" by Lawrence Gustin and Kevin Kirbitz and seen they had used it. So that is enough confirmation for me. This is from the Chicago Tribune archives and was dated July 11, 1921.

Factory #06 Assembly

2011-11-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

This north-west view from Division Street is showing axles being unloaded at the south dock of factory #06. The bridge (at the left) is going to factory #01. The date is September 24, 1921.
Showing engine installation in factory #06 either during 1917 or 1918.
This west facing view across the Pere Marquette rail line shows the location of factory #06 October 15, 1920.
This view taken from the Varnish factory across Hamilton Avenue shows factory #06 trailing off at the far right.
The same scene as shown below only in 1947. This is where I first worked at Buick.This is also where my video of Buick was made in 1995.
This north facing view shows the demolition of the original factory #06 in 1946.
Location of factory #06. This would be the future site of building #16 or new factory #40, where I first entered a Buick factory, and always considered home.
The receiving area for the radial engine of the M-18 Hellcat tank in factory #06.
Assembling the bogey wheels on an M-18 Hellcat tank in 1943 in factory #06. Links:

Court Yard Between Factory #06 and #07.

Division Street

Getting The Picture

Largest Plant In The World 1911

Buick 1908 & 1909

Walter Chrysler Photo 5,000 Buick Employees

Assembly factory #06

Factory #06 Assembly

Buick factory #1 & #6

Buick Track Postcard

Buick Factories 1908

THE FACTORY BEHIND THE CAR

Buick For 1907.

2011-10-31T07:54:00.001-07:00

Machining Buick Aluminum Crankcase 1910

2011-10-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

Machining Buick Cylinders 1910

2011-10-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

Largest Shipment Of Buick Autiomobiles In 1910.

2011-10-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

Buick City In 1947.

2011-10-31T05:49:00.001-07:00

This April of 1947 Popular Science magazine showed a history book for "BUICK, CITY OF FLINT" that was for sale in the classified section. This advertisement came pretty close to the future name for the Buick factory. I believe the book this ad is referring to is "The City Of Flint Grows Up" by: Carl Crow. The price for Carl's book was $3.00 printed on the dust jacket, and it was published in 1945.

Factory #20 The Buick Foundry

2011-10-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

This shows the Buick Powerhouse being built in 1920. Filling the background is the foundry #20. Building #15 off to the right is the Pattern & die shop.
This north-west view from the Pere Marquette overpass on Leith street shows factory #20 beyond factory #15 in the foreground. Factory #11 engine plant is in the extreme distance.
This photo is the exact opposite direction as shown below (this is north-east). This is the intersection of Leith and Division streets. The bridge is for bringing finished engine blocks to factory #11 for machining. The date is September 24, 1924. This foundry was built in 1916. It was demolished between 1931- 1932. This was the location of building #85 where I hired in during 1972.
This south-west view of factory #20 shows the area for reclaiming the sand for the cores. Excuse the reflection from the Mylar. This is not a building under construction.
Aerial view which shows the direction that the photo above was taken. Photos are from the Buick Research Gallery. Links:

Leith Street Revisited.

Factory #20

Buick 1932

Charles Nash Testing Vehicle

Factory #20 Foundry Inside

Factory #20 Foundry

Factory #11 Aluminum Mill Work On Buick Crankcase

2011-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Pere Marquette Marshalling Yard At Buick

2011-10-30T06:46:00.001-07:00

Expansion of the rail yard at Buick.

Safety At Buick

2011-10-28T02:49:00.001-07:00

This photo from 1925 shows the area where machine guards were made at Buick. I'm not yet sure which building this work was performed in.

A 1916 report from the Michigan Department Of Labor detailing what safety measures needed attention at that time.

Buick Blacksmith

2011-10-27T08:36:00.001-07:00

Inside of factory #01 at the north-west corner is my best guess for the old blacksmith shop. This photo was dated 1915. Photo is from the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan.
This is my best guess as to the location of the first blacksmith shop. This later photo has the chimney removed now. This is facing west at the courtyard north of factory #01.
Inside the blacksmith shop. The article is from the Ludington Michigan newspaper July 10, 1937. The men are Nels Larsen and Niel Nicholson.

The location for the new blacksmith shop in 1920 at the north-end of the forge plant #03. As I recall we still had one blacksmith working at Buick up until the creation of Buick City in 1985.

Buick During The 1920's (A short film).

2011-10-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

This short film shows the chassis line, body drop, radiator department, top department and ends with the "Unified Assembly line". Judging by the radiator surround, I would place this as 1926-1927. This link shows the steam booth that is at the end of this film:

Factory #62 Revisited.

Factory #40 Building #16.

2011-10-24T04:44:00.001-07:00

Same line as shown below only a little farther north at the body marriage. I'm not quite sure of the year but I'm guessing 1966 or 1967.
This is the second floor of factory #40/#16 facing north along the east wall slat line. That is a 1973 Buick Century just passing over the pit that I would stock with parts in the early 80's. This is the car they were building when I hired in during October of 1972. Links:

Buick City Building Designations

Gerry Godin and friends

Final Assembly Factory #40/16 1972 A Film: Working Inside Buick City 1995

Gerry Godin 1980 Accident

Factory #40/bldg 16 1978

Material (OUT OF) Control

Factory #40/bldg 16

Factory #12 Sheet Metal Plant

2011-10-18T03:36:00.000-07:00

Expansion plans for factory #12.
Construction update.
Article concerning the new factory for sheet metal at Buick.
This south-east view is taken from the Oak Park subdivision.
This north-west view shows the south -end of factory #12. That is the Buick "Driveaway" area at the future Oak Park entrance. Mostly dealers would pick up there fleet of cars here and drive them back to there dealerships. You could also pick up your own car here, direct from the manufacturer.
This is a south-east view of the north-end of factory #12 taken from the intersection of Industrial Avenue and Leith Street. This area now is much taller.
This south-west view of the north-end of #12 shows Leith Street in the foreground and the factory is still only one floor.
This badly damaged photo shows a small addition being built on the east wall of the factory. This view is facing south-west.
Same as below only another copy.
Looking north-east after the roof was raised for the larger press installation.
This was labeled as the largest press in the state.
This is the "Car-Trac" area of Buick City where I worked in 1987. This is a north facing view near the south-west wall along old Industrial Avenue. The stairs lead to the rest rooms. Links:

Factory #12/#16

Buick Driveaway 1923

Buick War Work

1968 Strike

Factory #12 Body Shop

Leith st. 2008

Factory #01 Roof Trusses

Oak Park Lot 2008

Buick City Site 2008

Factory #12 2002 -2008

Factory #29 WWI Ambulance

Factory #12 Demolition Plus Inside

Factory #12 fender Drawman

Factory #12 Drawman Hood Press

Buick City Lee Furse 1985

Robogate

Factory #12 drawman 1966

Factory #12 1997

Factory #12 1925 Thru 2002

Factory #12 The Early Years

Buick City Building Designations

Factory #03 Buildings

2011-10-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Some heavy forging in the Buick plant. "The year is unknown".
A better way for arranging crankshaft throws.
News reporting that the Buick forge plant in Flint is not yet ready in 1908.
A view of the north-end from the steel yard located directly north of the forge plant.
Same view as below only now it is October 1, 1924. That is the "Pickling" building that was open for business in early 1921 - off to the right.
Looking south-west at the north-end. This photo shows the additions made to the north-end in 1920. You can also see the "Pickling" building - off to the right - is just being built.
A south-east view on September 1, 1920.
A view from the south-west.
Same view as shown below, only on October 14, 1920.
A view from the south-east across Division st. published in 1919. "I just added some color".
The buildings that made up the early forge plant. The first building of the #03 forge was being built in 1908. Buildings B, C, D and E were built in 1910.
One of the new additions to the factory is #03-E, "the Hardening plant" built in 1910 (see story below). Links:

Aluminum And Brass Foundry Fire And Explosion 1913.

Pickling Room Building #64.

Buick 1931 And Just For Fun.

Liberty Crankshaft March 1919

Buick Forge Plant #03

Bridge #20

Original Forge #03 Before And After 1913 Fire.

Factory #03 Forge

Factory #03/#30

Factory #03/bldg #30

Factory #37 Heat Treat + Factory Fire Mystery

Factory #03 Inside And Out

Factory #03 Lombardi And Fusi

Early Buick Test Track

Buick Plant Additions For 1910.

2011-10-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

October 8, 1910 announcement of factory construction resuming at Buick after the bankers take over.
These plans were not exactly carried out as reported in this article from April 9, 1910 in The Wolverine Citizen. The new brass and aluminum foundry would actually be smaller and placed at the north end of the forge shop #03. The reason for the change was the recession of 1910, with William Durant finding his company over-extended by about 8 million dollars. "General Motors was almost dismantled less than two years after it's creation". The need for cash required bank loans, resulting in the bankers taking over, placing Durant as General Motors vice president. His wild building spree in regards to General Motors was over; "for now". As historians know, Durant made a big comeback in 1916 after his creation of Chevrolet. I believe the main reason for his Chevrolet Co. succeeding so well was that the bankers had done away with the (low priced) model 10 Buick, leaving Durant's new (low priced) Chevy to fill the void.

Factory #16

2011-10-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

Factory #16 construction announcements.

This shows factory #16's designations in 1919.
This is the same view nearly 100 years apart. Factory #31 was built on this site in 1940.
This shows nice detail of the chain drive on the "Buggyabout" model 14. This low priced Buick did not fit in well with the Buick plan for "Premium Motor Cars", and was dropped after less than a year. There were 2,048 built in 1910 with a total of 3,300 built when production ended in 1911.
This is the model 14 "Buggyabout" that this factory was built for.
A nice view of factory #16 facing north from Leith street on September 24, 1924.
This south-east view shows good detail of the north end of factory #16.
Another north facing view which shows the structure for lowering the folding tops from the third floor, the same as at the end of this post.
This photo was grouped in the same batch as the two shown below. This south facing view down Industrial Avenue shows factory #16 at the left with factory #12 in the distance.

This photo from the late 30's shows that the structure for lowering the folding tops has been removed. This view facing east up Leith street from Industrial Avenue shows factory #29 and also the construction of factory #12-a. The photo above was taken at the same time facing east from Industrial Avenue.
This shows folding top assembly on the third floor of factory #16. This is labeled as factory #10 in the Buick research gallery. "Sorry about the mylar reflection in this photo". There is a better photo of this elsewhere in this blog.
Some of the men who built this factory in 1909, shown on the third floor.
This north-east view across the intersection of Industrial avenue and Leith street is during construction in early 1910. At this time the building was meant for the new "low priced" Buick model 14 "Buggyabout" which only lasted for less than a years production during late 1910 to the spring of 1911. It's uses after that were varied from making folding tops for all the other model Buick's and a central crib, plus various assembly operations.
This north facing view of factory #16 was taken from in front of factory #29 on Leith street. This photo shows the structure (south-west corner of building) for lowering the folding tops to waiting trucks that would take them to the different assembly plants. That is Industrial Avenue where the store fronts are seen at the left. All factory photos are from the Buick Research Gallery. Links:

Factory #16 Demolition 1940

Factory #16 And Public Transportation

Factory #16 Inside Third Floor

Factory #16 Northwest Corner

Factory #16 Southeast Corner

Factory #16 During Construction

Buick Wonder Factory.

2011-10-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

Super Worker At Buick

2011-10-06T05:32:00.001-07:00

This Flint Buick worker was like many back in the day who never wanted to leave. I never knew James Edward but I did know others forced to leave the job that was their life. One in particular (who's name escapes me now) worked as a checker in building #16 south (new factory #40) receiving dock. When he was forced out in 1982 he returned the following morning and was told to go back home. He had never married or even owned a car. He walked to work every day. On November 2, 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law that stopped this mandatory retirement age. Buick used to give special awards to workers who achieved 5 years without missing a day. "I never received one of those"! There were a handful of workers who got there second gold watch in my time. This article is from The Weekly World News on November 26, 1985.

Buick Factory Floor.

2011-10-06T03:56:00.000-07:00

Another type of "cushioned" wood block flooring used at Buick in 1921. This is in (the then new) factory #40.
Taking up the wood floor during a factory remodel at Buick. This photo is from the Buick Research Gallery.

Anyone who worked at Buick in Flint will certainly remember these floors. This ad is from July 1919. When I first hired into Buick they had one old man who's job it was to maintain these floors. After Buick City was created (1984) and the wood block floors were gone, "so was his job". I believe they may have still had them north of Leith street in other factories. His job always fascinated me with the speed in which he could lay those blocks. "His only tools were a hatchet and squeegee". This ad shows them using an ax. When a floor required repair he would show up with his mule (truck) which was modified with a steel frame on the hood for holding the blocks. He also had his five gallon bucket of black goo setting next to him. The main problem with these floors were when they got really wet. They soaked up the water and would expand, then create a bulge, that after truck or people traffic they would eventually break up (zipper effect). "These wood blocks were much easier on your feet than concrete". That was the reason for all the rubber mats after the creation of Buick City.

The W.F. Stewart Factories In Flint.

2011-10-05T06:10:00.001-07:00

Here is the correct spelling for Beardslee, from the Flint City Directory of 1881-1882. Beardslee is spelled many different ways on the old maps and such. It must also be mentioned that W.F. Stewart located to Pontiac, Michigan in the mid 1880's for 4 years, after leaving the Beardslee & Gillies location for the first time, he later bought their business outright.
Here is W.F.Stewart factory #4 at the north Flint site at Industrial and Hamilton.
Here is W.F.Stewart factory #3 at the north Flint site on Harriet st.
Here is W.F. Stewart's factory #1 and #2 located at the old Beardslee & Gillies site in west Flint. Located between Kearsley St. and Second st.
This view is facing south across Detroit st. (Martin Luther King Jr. ave. now) and beyond McFarland Park and Saginaw st., "after the Walsh building was built". This shows the location of W.F. Stewart's first buggy "body" building location. His barn shaped building (with false front) was located just above the trash cans shown on Detroit st (the area with the large awning). The Walsh building was built in 1910 and demolished in 1971 for the riverbank project. M.S.U. in Flint now has possession of the site.
Here is a view of W.F. Stewart's first buggy body building (at the left) and you are facing east during the famous Flint flood of 1904. That is the Pere Marquette bridge crossing the Flint River. All the people in the foreground are standing on the Saginaw street bridge.
Here is W.F.Stewart's first location for building buggy body's at the intersection of Saginaw and Detroit streets. His shop is shown at the extreme right. This photo is from around 1905. This would be the future site of the Walsh building. This is the north-east side of the bridge over the Flint river.

This is the north Flint site in 1907.
This shows the Beardslee & Gillies site in 1873 as described below.

This shows the location of factory #1 and #2 at the west Flint site in 1899, located near the future "1903" site of the Buick Motor Works on west Kearsley st. (shown with the star). It is said that the first Buick body's came from factory #1. This is the same location as the Beardslee & Gillies planing mill in which Stewart originally occupied the second floor and then bought outright later (see the posting before this one for that history).
This shows the W.F.Stewart factory locations from 1881 to 1907 on a current map of Flint. Links:

First Flint Buick

Dr. Hills The Man Who Bought The First Flint Buick

Original Aldrich Buick

1904 Buick

The First Buick Workers

The W.F. Stewart Company Family & Factory History.

2011-10-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Click on page then click again for reading.

General Electric Wires Buick In 1911.

2011-10-02T13:24:00.001-07:00

Click on any page, then click again for enlargement.

The Buick Undergound.

2011-10-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

This description of the photo below is actually part of the photo. I just took separate pictures of it.
I had described this tunnel to many people over the years, "and boy" was I surprised when I found this photo of it in the Buick Research Gallery. The location for this tunnel is shown below.
The red line shows the approximate location of a tunnel we used to explore back in 1973. We entered this tunnel through a steel covered door located down in the rail dock at the north end of building #16 or "new" #40 as it was commonly called. The steel ladder went down about 20 feet. This was one of our hiding places for taking a smoke break "if you know what I mean". The yellow star shows the approximate distance that I myself ever traveled towards the east. The blue star shows where the bomb shelter was, and it was still stocked with old cots and blankets and such. The yellow arrow shows where a front fender for a 56 Buick was laying against the wall. "And I tell you true" that it just barley had surface rust. There were always rumors flying around about everything and it was rumored that the tunnel went all the way to the A.C. plant on Dort highway. "I never did believe that". I think it was used originally for bringing water from the pump house at the river, and also had something to do with the old power plant located next to the river.

Buick July 1911. Weston-Mott #7 would go where the no4 is on this map and #5 enamel plant (shown as proposed brass foundry) would later be extended. Also I see a proposed garage north of the #03 foundry that would not be built. You can also see the angled shape of the north-end of the forge shop where the current brass and aluminum work was done at that time, and subsequently burnt in 1913.
Buick 1911. I had always wondered why the buildings in this postcard showed the two Weston-Mott factories in the foreground (the inverted V) as being much longer than they should have been. The diagram above (probably from 1910) shows the reason. There are many things in the diagram that would not actually be built, or at least in the configuration shown. The artist who made the drawing "had to have seen these plans" and that explains the discrepancy. So if your reading this Don Bent, I think this is the answer to the question we were talking about last year.

Hamilton Avenue And St. John Street.

2011-10-02T03:20:00.000-07:00

A before and after photo.
A less seen aerial view of the intersection of Hamilton and St. John from 1939. The addition at the east end of Buick factory #08 known as #78 is seen at the upper right. Filling the photo at the center right is the E.I du Pont de nemours co. or just DuPont as we called it. Directly east across St John st. is the Marvel Carburetor plant who's address was 1609 St John Street and was originally the Armstrong Manufacturing Company that was established in 1897 (they built the springs for the first Flint built Buick on Kearsley street). The parking lot at the lower right is where the Flint Axle plant was. As St John became James P. Cole and was moved closer to the river, it now goes through the footprint of the old axle plant. This photo is from the Buick Research Gallery.

Buick Aerial View 1936

2011-09-29T02:37:00.001-07:00

A nice aerial view of the Buick complex from a less seen perspective facing south. I like the wires stabilizing the wings of the plane.
Judging by the factories in this photo I would date it as early 1936. Photo from the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan.

Buick Motor Division.

2011-09-27T05:45:00.001-07:00

This is a post card of the Armory where the photo below was taken. You are facing (north-west) the same direction as the photos below.
This map shows the line of site from the Armory to the Buick property.
This photo labeled as Buick City in the Buick Research Gallery archives is actually from the 60's when it was just Buick Motor Division. When you enlarge this photo taken from the roof of the Flint National Guard Armory roof on Lewis Street (at the time of this photo) which before the change to Lewis street, was originally Richfield road, and is now Chavez Drive. This view (facing north-west) shows the Buick plant in the distance. Many people call "any part" of Buick by the name final assembly adopted in 1984, which was "Buick City", which in turn was borrowed from the Japanese factory "Toyota City". The only part of the north Flint plant known as Buick City was south of Leith Street bordered by North Street, Hamilton Avenue and James P. Cole blvd. Everything north of Leith Street was Buick Powertrain Flint North.

Factory #40 A Trip Through Time.

2011-09-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

The exact same view as below only it is now 1997.
This is 1924 looking south down Division Street. That is factory #40 running along Division with the heat treat building #41 at the left.
Here is the same view as shown below only 73 years later. That is factory #40 with the flag flying.

This is 1924 looking directly north up Division Street with factory #01 on the left and #40 in the center. The black and white photos are from The Buick Research Gallery. The color ones I took myself just before I left Buick forever.

Transformer House #42.

2011-09-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

This south-west view of the transformer building #42 has the Pere Marquette (now CSX) main line running right next to it. That is factory #40's east wall and the covered rail dock on the west side of the main line tracks. Links:

Factory #40 1920

Buick Kitchen #43

2011-09-21T04:11:00.000-07:00

The photos above show the central kitchen which prepared and delivered meals to the workers. Both photos are facing north. The top photo shows a small portion of factory #11 showing. It has been torn in half as some are in the archives. Link:

Factory #11 about 1924

Both photos were taken before the remodeling of #11. The overhead bridge bringing engines to final assembly has not yet been built. The steel yard will occupy this location very shortly. This is 1920. Top photo from the Buick Research Gallery.

Buick Factory #01.

2011-09-16T03:11:00.001-07:00

November 2, 1905 construction update for factory #01 (actual ground breaking was November 1, 1905). Judging by the article below, the office got a later start on construction than originally planned.
October 3, 1906 construction update for factory #01.
Inside factory #01 paint department in 1922. This would be in one of the wing sections of the factory.
Inside factory #01 at the Hamilton Avenue factory. This photo is dated 1910. This would be the center section.
I like this advertisement where Buick is selling their leftovers. Obviously they did not have a Service and Parts department yet. Judging by the date I think the factory #1 the ad is referring to is the Kearsley Street factory, but I'm not sure.
News of the first Buick factory on Flint's north side from July 1, 1906.
The two short articles above, from the Trade Journal "Motor Age" give approximate dates for construction of Buick's first factory #01 on the Oak Park site located at the old Hamilton farm on Flint's north side in late 1905. The contract for construction was signed on September 4,1905. the builders were Field, Hinchman & Smith from Detroit. The General contractors were the Charles A. Moses Co. out of Chicago. The date for start-up at the new site is believed to be February of 1907. As stated in Don Bent's book "A Place Called Buick" quote: "Lawrence Gustin, a knowledgeable Buick historian, understands the date to have been February 2, 1907. Although there is no documentation to confirm the February date, there is confirmation that by the end of February, Buick Models F and G's were shipped from the Flint factory. In all likelihood, Model F and G production - the high-volume Buick's, had been moved back from Jackson at this time. Other lower production models were still probably produced in Jackson". end quote.
A nice view of the east wing of factory #01 in this north-west view. Photo taken October 6, 1919.
I'm not sure of the occasion shown here. You are looking east up Hamilton Avenue from Industrial Avenue. Part of the Weston-Mott office is visible at the left.

Factory #01 and the main office facing east north-east.

I like the horse and wagon making a delivery in this north-east view of factory #01 taken from the roof of the W.F. Stewart body works. This is also before 1908. The powerhouse (shown directly north of the factory) was built at the same time as factory #01 between 1905 and 1906. A generating plant for electricity was built (later) north of the powerhouse also.
A nice view of factory #01 with #06 running farther north along Division Street. Hamilton Avenue is in the foreground. With the Pere Marquette main line at lower right. This is before 1908. At this time assembly of Buick's was being done in factory #06. Factory #01 was now used for machine work, transmission assembly and body paint.
Factory #01 before 1908. The photo below shows a closeup of the office area. Factory #08 on the south side of Hamilton Avenue has just been built and is barley visible in the large photo.. Also notice that the powerhouse only has one stack at this time.
A very early view showing the original covered walk for office personnel. When you enlarge you will notice the horse drawn sleigh.
This west facing view has factory #01 at the right. "It was connected to the main office". In this view you can see a worker sprinting across the Pere Marquette main line at lower right.
Another familiar view of Buick's first factory located at the "Oak Park Industrial Complex". This north view shows a Pere Marquette spur line at right with Hamilton Avenue running east to west in front of the factory and office. As you may know factory #01 was originally the west Kearsley Street plant but after this one was built the Kearsley plant became #02.
I like this postcard (which most people have seen) only this one includes the switch engine along with the horse and wagon. Photos are from the Buick Research Gallery and Sloan Museum plus my own collection. Links: Louis Chevrolet At Buick Buick Assembly Court Yard. Division Street Hamilton & Industrial Avenue 1915. Early views of Buick & Weston-Mott. Buick At High Noon Buick Around 1907 Body Receiving 1947. Walter Marr,Buick's First Engineer Factory #01 closed body receiving 1924. Buick 1932 Division Street 1934 Champion Ignition Company 1908 Factory #01 Roof Trusses Buick winter Buick 1911 Buick factory #1 & #6 Buick Factories 1908 Hamilton Avenue Factory #4 View Factory #1 Buick 1920 Buick Factory #1 1907 Buick Factory #1 Machine Floor Buick Factory #01 interior

The Weston-Mott Factories At Buick

2011-09-11T13:29:00.001-07:00

Inside a Weston-Mott office area.
Updates on the construction of the Weston-Mott factory from 1906.
Inside the Industrial and Hamilton plant.
Inside factory #5 making front axles in 1912.
Inside the Industrial and Hamilton plant making truck axles in 1912.

This map should help you with the locations of the seven buildings which made up the Weston-Mott factories located at the Buick site.
This just about has to be the first photo (colorized postcard) of the Weston-Mott factory #1. What they called "First Steam" back then was supplied to this factory on August 8, 1906. At that time all the axles (front & rear) came from this one factory. The size of this building was 60,000 square feet of floor space. Only twenty men were working on that first day. It was demolished in 1946. This photo was taken from the corner of Industrial Avenue and Hamilton Avenue facing north-east.
This photo of Weston-Mott #1 (Buick #31) was taken from the W.F. Stewart body factory #4 across Hamilton Avenue. Notice the pristine pasture beyond the factory. It was said that back in 1900 this was one great place to hunt rabbits.
This scene is the same as shown below, only a couple of years earlier. Notice the water tower and (single) smoke stack. Also note that the office in the photo below has had an addition built on the west and east end.
Weston-Mott factory #1, #2 and #3. (Buick #31, #32, #33). That is the office in front. This shows good detail of the east and west wing additions which are shown four photos below.
I like this view ( Identical to the one below) which shows the gentleman selling lunches on the corner of Industrial & Hamilton. Most views I see show paper boys (as shown below). Some traditions always remain and they were still selling lunches outside the gates when they closed the factory.
This is the same view as shown below only from the south end of the factory. This north-east view has Weston-Mott #1 (Buick #31) in the foreground.
This south-east view shows the complete Weston-Mott factory #1, #2 and #3 (Buick #31, #32, #33). The #3 (Buick #33) addition is in the foreground.
This north facing view of Weston-Mott factory #1, #2 and #3 (Buick #31, #32, #33) shows great detail of Industrial Avenue. Notice that the main factory floor remained as a single floor, whereas the wings on the east and west walls were two floors.
Same view of Weston-Mott #4 (Buick #34) as shown three photos below from the south-west.
A different perspective showing the positions of the Weston-Mott factories #6 (Buick #36) and #4 (Buick #34). That is factory #40 on Division Street in the distance.
A south-west view showing the factories grouped together near factory #4 (Buick #34). These factories are east of the Pere Marquette (now CSX) main line which was the C&O rail line in my time.
A north-east view of Weston-Mott factory #4 (Buick #34). This factory was built in 1909 and ( partially) demolished in 1939. "First steam" in this plant was December 16, 1909. This plant made hubs and rims. The original cost of this factory was $20,000.
A north facing view of Weston-Mott #5 (Buick #35). This is the axle plant that Harry Bassett (Weston-Mott General Manager) requested to be built next to factory #4 in his letter dated July 31, 1909 to William "Bill" Little (Buick Manager). It just ended up a bit farther north. These factories back then could be up and running in as little as 3 months from the time you contacted the builder. "Not as much red tape as today". At the time of this photo I believe it was still an axle plant but when this was published in "The Factory Behind The Car" Buick labeled it as to it's then current use.
This west facing view shows Weston-Mott factory #5 (Buick #35). This photo was taken from St Johns Street (now James P. Cole blvd.). This factory was built in 1909 and demolished in 1936.
The photo at the left, of Weston-Mott #6 (Buick #36) is a south-west view of the power plant used by the Weston-Mott factories.

Shown below is the Weston-Mott axle heat treat plant #7 (Buick #37) This factory was built in 1909 and demolished in 1936. This view is facing north-east. This factory was for front axles only as far as I know at this time.
Inside factory #7 (Buick #37). For the complete story on these factories just read the article below. It is from "THE HORSELESS AGE" dated April 8, 1914. Just double click to enlarge any portion. Most of these photos are from the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan. The rest are from my collection. I could supply much more background information about these factories, but this site mostly deals with the workers and the buildings. I only supply the information that I feel is important to the researcher looking for "additional" or missing information on these buildings.

Links: Factory #35 And #94 Industrial Avenue Revisited. Hamilton & Industrial Avenue 1915. Industrial & Hamilton Avenue 1915. Weston-Mott At Industrial & Hamilton Industrial and Hamilton Avenue Early views of Buick & Weston-Mott. Weston-Mott Powerhouse #6 Weston-Mott Officers Industrial & Hamilton Avenue 1913 Weston-Mott Employees Factory #10 and #07 during construction. Plus Industrial and Hamilton Factory #34 Weston-Mott #4 Industrial and Hamilton Avenue Weston-Mott Demolition 1946 Weston-Mott 1923 Inside Weston-Mott Weston-Mott Company Hamilton Avenue #4-#08 And Weston-Mott Engineering & Experimental 1923

Inside Weston-Mott

Aluminum And Brass Foundry Fire And Explosion 1913.

2011-09-08T03:46:00.000-07:00

This is the original photograph from the Buick Research Gallery. This view is facing east with the Pere Marquette main line in the distance.
This view (that I crudely) colorized was for detail purposes during my research.
A view inside the old aluminum and brass foundry at Buick that was known as #15. This building was attached at the north end of the #03 forge plant. This view is facing south. The angled building (below) with box cars on either side was part of the area destroyed in the 1913 fire. The photo after the fire (At top) shows the area just beyond this angled section. The angled area farthest north does look to be made entirely of wood as Chrysler stated. This view is facing south-west. That is factory #12 at the right. These two photos are from around 1909.

These are articles published in various trade journals of the time following the fire and explosion at the Buick factory on January 17, 1913. In the book "The Life And Times Of An Automotive Genius" by Vincent Curcio (published in 2000), that tells the life story of Walter Chrysler and includes much about the early years at Buick, he places the date of the fire as January of 1917. He states that the article (showing 1917) was from "The Horseless Age" trade journal. I have read that particular article and it is 1913, so it must have been a typo in Vincents book. This information had me more than a bit confused for some time. I'm just glad that this mystery has finally been solved. They did not rebuild at this same location as was stated in one of the articles. The posting before this one (the pickling room) shows this area as a steel storage lot. I'm thinking that this was when the brass & aluminum work was moved (temporarily) into factory #12 until the new foundry could be built. links: Factory #37 Heat Treat + Factory Fire Mystery

Pickling Room Building #64.

2011-09-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

This view facing south-west from Division Street shows the factory #03 forge plants north-end. The light colored brick building at the right is the Pickling room (bldg.#64) for the forge. Pickling is a chemical process for removing rust or scale from metal. That is part of the steel yard in the foreground. This area in my time would be occupied by building #12c. Where the pickling room is located would be the rail dock for factory #12 in the distant future. This photo is dated October 1, 1924.
This view of the Pickling room is facing north-east. One of the Buick powerhouse (#14) smoke stacks can be faintly seen over the building. These photos are from the Buick research Gallery. Links: Liberty Crankshaft March 1919

Original Forge #03 Before And After 1913 Fire.

A 360 degree View from Division Street.

2011-09-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

This shows the location of the buildings shown below in this 360 degree presentation.
Facing south-east at factory #40. The building at the left attached to #40 was at this time a heat treat facility known as #41. In my time it was cleaned up and remodeled into a place for meetings and presentations. The remaining photos in order has you rotating clockwise.
Facing south-west at factory #09.
Facing north-west at factory #03.
Facing north-east at factory #02.
Facing east at the gasoline filling station. This photo is from Don Bent's book. The rest are from the Buick Research Gallery.

Buick Gasoline Filling Station

2011-09-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

This photo is from the Buick factory publication "THE FACTORY BEHIND THE CAR". This structure was originally intended for the Buick drive away program and was designated as #09. The original photo was taken on October 13, 1920. I used this photo because the one at the Buick Research Gallery is torn in half. (see better one in posting above) This would be the structure where the photographs in the previous post were taken from. You are facing east from Division Street. That is factory #02 train shed and rail shipping department at the rear.

Buick 1931 And Just For Fun.

2011-09-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

You don't get this opportunity very often -- having two, almost identical photographs from the same time. "So have fun and find the differences between the two". Click the photo once then again for a super enlargement.
This photo shows Division Street looking north in 1931. The factory with all the open windows is the forge plant #03. North of that is the structure for the overhead crane of the steel yard. At the right is the cooling pond for the Powerhouse #14. This photo was probably taken from the roof of the gasoline filling station #09 built in 1919. The cars in the foreground are the top of the line new Series 60, 7 passenger sedans for 1930. These two photos are from the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan.

Factory #29 Tool Factory.

2011-09-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

Factory #29 and #30 construction announcement.
A map showing the location of factory #29 and #23 with the surrounding facilities in 1953.
The employee (Ward Smith) who sent along this photo of factory #29 employees lists the people shown as: I will name them from left to right with their job.
Seated:
Clyde Porter Time keeper
W. Richardson General Foreman
Fred Payne Lathe Supervisor
Ted Decourval Night Supt.
Ernie Martin Supt.
Darrell Diem Asst Supt.
Tom Bowers General Foreman days
Bill Pemberton Asst. Supt
Harvey Theodore Process Engineer
Standing
Ralph Hicks Process Engineer no necktie
Bill Lloyd Grinding Supervisor He also was founder and owner of Lloyd Tool Co on Saginaw St.
Chester Glowski Supervisor Heat treat nights
John Hrinevich Heat treat days
Bill McCormick supervisor Chrome Plating
Fred Wise Supervisor Night
Francis Rogers Supervisor assembly
Harry Selley Supervisor assembly night
Ronald Schoeppach Supervisor Boring mills days
Al Hilliker Supervisor Milling dept days
Ford Lavene Supervisor shaper dept days
Ronald Hutchinson Supervisor boring mills night
Bob England Time keeper no necktie
Vern Smith Assembly area
Duane Johnson Mill dept nights
Brahm Ward Buick"s Band director (no necktie) hourly mill dept
Auburn Lewis Supervisor surface grind supervisor nights.
The only one still living that I know for sure is Theodore. There could be more. Fred Wise died in late 08 as did Hutchinson.
These men ran the business with iron hands. Any one who ever worked in this plant will agree to that.
Cleanliness was utmost. All the walls and machines were painted two shades of green. The idea of an earlier Supt who believed it was conducive to productivity.
Braham Ward was a very colorful, talented musician. He directed a large brass band performing at Buick functions and elsewhere. He had the freedom to roam all over Buick

The employee who sent along this photo and the one above says: My name is Ward Smith and I worked in Factory #29 for 32 years, starting on Feb. 1 1960. 25 of those years were on supervision. As you probably know, #29 was a tool manufacturing plant, started in the early 1920s. It was, like many “skilled trades” areas in Buick, sorta closed off from “Main Buick”. We operated as almost an independent tool shop and had to bid for our work with outside shops. I retired in 1992 and still have a great loyalty to the Buick name. My father was also a, “dyed in the wool” Buick employee, starting in the 1930s and retiring in 1973. He was an active participant in the battle to recognize the union in 1937 and has never tolerated any negative talk about the union. The following is Wards description of factory #23: Building #23 was right next door to #29 with a concrete storage pad running between the buildings. there was a railroad siding and loading dock on the east side that ran into the main line running north and south along division st. It was on the east side of 29 and built in the 1950s for a castings inspection for #03. Originally small castings were inspected there and loaded onto railroad cars and shipped. After we, (#29) took it over we built a covered ramp between the two buildings and eventually our inspection and shipping dept. were located there. Also our Heat treat and Machine Repair/Machine Rebuild was located there. We started using the building while I was still on my apprenticeship in the very early 60s. Building #23 was built in 1945.
As always just click on any photo for a larger view. This view showing the original height of #29 is from October 18, 1920. The heat treat facility building #55 is at the right. Photo taken from in front of factory #16 across Leith Street. Photo from Buick Research Gallery.
Factory #29 viewed from the intersection of Industrial Avenue and Leith Street. I'm not sure what the little white shed east of the guard shack is for. "Maybe a fueling station"? Photo from Buick Research Gallery.
This view is from the south showing #29 after it's 3rd floor addition. This photo is dated March 13, 1924. You can see a piece of the heat treat at the left and the engine factory #11 at the right in the distance. "If there is one thing I've learned since researching these original (untouched) photos is that Buick always was a messy and unorganized place to work". The photos meant for publication were always touched up and I just assumed that this was just "busy work" for the photographic department. I now know that management really did not want people seeing what really went on. The same was true in my years there. "I should have know that some things never change". The old building #80 was located at one time just south of #29 in this location and was used for die storage. Photo from Buick Research Gallery.
This east facing view shows some kind of construction work going on near #29 in later years. I believe this shows the construction of #12-a built in 1938? From the Buick Research Gallery.

Factory #29 getting it's third floor. From Don Bent's book, and as noted it is credited to another of our small factory history group: Kevin Kirbitz.
This is the heat treat building for #29 located between factory #12 and #29. This structure was built in 1920. This photo during construction is dated October 8, 1920. This view is from the north. Factory #29 partially seen at the left is still a two story building at this time. At the extreme south can be seen factory #05. Photo from the Buick Research Gallery.
Inside factory #29. According to Don Bent "this factory was originally built to do work for the 8 cylinder Liberty aircraft engine". But as with factory #27-- built exclusively for that purpose, the war ended before production could begin. Built in 1918 this factory's central location on the Buick property made it a good location for special tool work. This building was torn down with the rest of the factory's south of Leith Street by 2002. This photo is dated November 20, 1918. This is from Don Bent's book. Links: Leith Street Revisited. Buick City Building Designations Factory #12 2002 -2008 Factory #29 1922 Factory #29 WWI Ambulance Factory #27 The "Liberty Engine" Plant

Pump House #60

2011-09-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

This building #60 built in 1913 was used for bringing water from the Flint river that was used in various facilities located at Buick. This view is facing west. It is dated August 26, 1921. The structure behind it is the "Commonwealth Power Company" Located on St. Johns Street (James P. Cole blvd. now). This was located directly north of the old Flint Axle plant. You can see a small portion of factory #28 at the left--in the distance. Link for the story of the power house: Commonwealth Power Company Genesee County History from 1916 Link for a view of the power plant from factory #28: Factory #28 Buick On The Roof 2

Factory #05 Enamel Plant

2011-09-06T03:27:00.001-07:00

Article from the Automotive trade journal.
Inside factory #05 showing the radiator department. This work was performed in factory #12 before #05 was built in 1914. Factory #05 was demolished along with the old #03 forge plant in 1963. This photo is from Don Bent's book: A Place Called Buick. Sorry for the poor quality reproduction. "Just buy Don's book".
This photo is obviously showing factory #12 after the roof was raised but factory #05 can be seen at the right. This will be the Oak Park entrance off of Industrial Avenue that most people (now) would be familiar with. You are facing north-east.
Factory #05 viewed from the north. This photo is dated September 1, 1920.
This shows the layout of the areas shown below.
This is the bridge from factory #05 heading for the assembly plant (see photo below and above). That is factory #09 car export and final pass. You can also see factory #02 shipping and train shed at the left. Trivia: this road from Industrial Avenue to Division street was actually still in place and open for traffic until the mid 70's when an engine line was placed on the first floor of factory #04 north when, when at that time the open mezzanine was walled up. That area became the Oak Park entrance. "And the joy I had being in the first group to work on that assembly line". I installed the power steering pumps and tightened the belt.
This view of #05 is from the south-east under the bridge #14 connecting #05 with the assembly plant (shown above) This photo is dated October 23, 1920.
The large pipe in this view runs all the way south to #26 Powerhouse, it ran all along the west wall of factory #10 directly south of #05. I'm thinking it was for compressed air because I have not seen any expansion joints along the line.
The south wall of the Enamel plant labeled as January 15, 1926. All outside photos from the Buick Research Gallery. links:Factory #05 Enamel Plant 1923 Buick Factory Designations Factory #05 Enameling

Louis Chevrolet At Buick

2011-09-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

This view from the same location as shown in the two photos below shows Louis Chevrolet in the passenger seat and I believe --but not sure, Lewis Strang behind the wheel. I have not yet found out what the "Waterloo" banner represented? This is a Marquette automobile which were built at the Saginaw, Michigan factory. This is on Hamilton Avenue facing north-east in front of the main Buick facilities at that time.
A close up of the photo below.
Louis Chevrolet on Hamilton Avenue. Seen left to right is the main office and factory #01 then the Imperial Wheel company in the background. The bottom photo is from the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan. Click (sometimes twice) any photo on this site to enlarge. Links: Marquette - Buick Walter Marr,Buick's First Engineer

W.F. Stewart Factory #4.

2011-09-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

This early photo of the Stewart factory #3 I took at the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan. I took a shot of this a few years back, and at that time it "was labeled" as factory #3. You can faintly see when you enlarge this photo--W.F. Stewart Carriage wood works under the third floor windows. This photo is taken from Harriet Street. This building was located south-east of factory #4.
This is the most recognized view of the W.F.Stewart factory #4. This photo seems to have been taken from Buick factory #01 facing south-west. "Excuse my thumb in the photo". According to Don Bent: In his book "A Place Called Buick" the first Buick body's were built at Stewart factory #1 located on West Second street. He states that factory #3 was their first factory built at the Oak Park Industrial complex south of Hamilton Avenue in 1900. The new Stewart Factory #4 built in 1907 became Buick's factory #4 in 1908. Fascinating history Don. Your book is a must have. All photos are from the Buick Research Gallery and Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan.
This view facing directly north from the court yard shows good detail of the south-end of factory #4. The tower at the left is the Oak Park fire station.
Another view of the court yard behind (south of) factory #4. You are facing north-west on October 16, 1920. Excuse the reflection on this photo. You are not allowed to remove the photos from the Mylar sleeve at the Research Gallery.
This photo was taken from the old Stewart plant. This is a great look at Industrial Avenue back then. You are looking directly north. Weston-Mott (Buick #31 at this time) is in the foreground and factory #05 enamel plant is visible in the distance. Links: W.F Stewart Factory #4 1912 W.F. Stewart Inside + Postcard Industrial & Hamilton Avenue 1913 1934 Buick Demolition Buick Factories 1910 Hamilton Avenue #4-#08 And Weston-Mott Hamilton Avenue Early 1909 Inside factory #4 Factory #4 and #3 Body Shop View of Flint from Buick Factory #4 Postcard Showing Bank

Court Yard Between Factory #07 and #10

2011-09-02T03:49:00.000-07:00

This north facing view showing factory #10 (left) and #07 (right) from August 26, 1921 will shortly be a very busy assembly line. This is where my father Emmanuel Godin spent much of his time at Buick. I myself toured factory #62 in the late 50's. At that time we entered through the new factory #04; west of factory #10. Our tour started at the old (second) main office on Hamilton Avenue which was demolished in 1968.
Tires and wheels exiting old factory #07. "Quite a delivery system".
The unique parallel assembly lines in action.
Detail during construction.
Detail showing construction of the roof. This is from Don Bents book.
This shows where factory #62 will shortly be located. The rail line is still in place and no doubt aided in the construction of this unique factory. The photos shown during construction are from Don Bents book: A Place Called Buick. Shown at left (facing north-east) is from 1920 and is from the Buick Research Gallery. Links:

Factory #62 1937 Factory #62 The Forty's Factory #62 1942 Buick Assembly 1947 Factory #62 Revisited. Overview Buick 1938 Factory #10 1923 Emmanuel Godin "Mannie"

Court Yard Between Factory #06 and #07.

2011-09-01T11:04:00.001-07:00

This I believe is the second floor of #06-b. Dated 1915, but the original at the Buick Research Gallery says 1925-26. Some of the photos in the Research Gallery are mislabeled, "so do your research carefully". I'm not really sure of the date. Were seeing the seats being stuffed.
The arrow points to the area shown below.

This north facing view of the area between factories #06 (right.) and #07 (left.) were designated as 06-b, 06-c and 06-d. This photo is dated as May 5, 1919. Trivia: This brick wall of factory #07 was still standing when factory #40 (building #16) was torn down in 2002. In 1947 when #40 was erected it was built connected to old #07. When the combined factories of #62 were demolished in 1963 this wall remained. I always liked that wall and it's old architecture style. Click here to See the wall when this area was demolished in 1946. This photo is from the Buick Research Gallery. Links:

Buick Assembly 1922

Factory #06 Assembly

Overview Buick 1938

Factory #07 Seat Stuffing

Buick Assembly Court Yard.

2011-09-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

A zoomed out shot of the two photos below facing west. Photo taken from the old Imperial Wheel factory #18 on October 15, 1920. In April of 1916 the Imperial Wheel factory became Buick's Service Parts factory. This of coarse happened after Chevrolet and Monroe were finished with it. That is Division street on this side of the rail cars in the distance.
Same view as below, only panned to the south.
This west facing view is the same area as shown below before the remodel done in 1924.
Here is the (west bridge #11) crossing the court yard from factory #01 paint to factory #62 assembly. You are facing west. That is old factory #07 on the right. The tall building beyond is the roofed over area between factories #07 and #10 that created factory #62 the Unified Assembly plant. The combined factories #06, #07, #09, #62 (roofed over area), and #10 all simply became factory #62. Just as in later years with the creation of Buick City. The combined factories all became know simply as #86 in 1985. This photo is dated July 18, 1924. Note that factory #01 has had a second floor addition added between 1920 and 1924. This factory went through more remodeling (just about) than any other factory at Buick. Another factory; #08 on the south side of Hamilton Avenue had just as many.
This looks like some early material handlers. The factory with the staggered windows behind them is factory #62 south. The bridge is connecting factory #07 with factory #01. These photos are all from the Buick Research Gallery. Links:

THE FACTORY BEHIND THE CAR

Buick City Building Designations

Factory #62 Getting Ready For War

Buick Water Towers

2011-08-31T06:20:00.001-07:00

These are the water towers north of factory #02. The photo below shows their beginning. This photo was taken from the roof of the power house #14. This view is also facing south-east as shown below. These towers were removed I believe in 1963. The old single water tower which was adjacent to the old original powerhouse #26 built in 1906 was torn down along with the powerhouse during the 1923 -1924 remodeling for the Unified Assembly plant #62. This photo is from Don Bents book "A Place Called Buick".
This photo taken on October 14, 1920 obviously shows the Buick warehouse and train shed. The crane and donkey engine in this photo are getting ready to start construction on the two matching Buick water towers. You can see the footing for the west tower in the lower left corner. The steel beams are the parts to be erected. That is Division street in the lower right corner heading south. That is the new factory #40 transmission plant in the distance. The cooling pond for the power plant (being built at the same time) will occupy this whole area along Division st. very shortly. This photo is from the Buick Research Gallery.

Leith Street Then And Now.

2011-08-31T01:51:00.000-07:00

The same view as shown below only fifty years earlier. It is hard to believe now that this (St. Johns neighborhood) was once a thriving community. That is the Buick power plant #14 belching out coal smoke. The women in this large community always complained about the coal smoke getting on the clean wash hung on their clothes lines. The small parking lot on the right was where I parked the day I hired in at Buick 1972. Personnel at that time was in building #85 just under the overpass and up the hill on the right. photo courtesy of the Buick Research Gallery in Flint, Michigan. Excuse my thumb in this photo. You have to wear gloves when researching the archives.
Leith Street looking west at the rail bridge on July 22, 2011. As always: click any photo, then on most click again for an enlarged view. links: St. Johns Industrial Park Urban Renewal near Buick

Buick Powertrain North Site Demolition

2011-08-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Factory #05 transmission support factory (gears and such) is still in tact. But the Demolition Man is approaching. This was originally building #43 constructed for the Korean war effort. This view is facing south-east from Industrial Avenue and Stewart Street on August 29, 2011. It was built in 1951.
The small Building #30 built in 1985 is still standing. I can not see any sign of the old factory #03 spring plant. Or before that; factory #30 aluminum plant. It stood as a skeleton for many years. I think they left it standing as a warning to the others. "How sad".
Factory #70/#81. The old Buick foundry which became the torque converter factory in 1981. It was the first factory at the Buick site that done away with time clocks.
Factory #70/#81 in the background.
This is factory #70/#81 in the background. Demolition has also started on old factory #10 at the north-end on Stewart Street. Factory #10 was the arsenal of defense during World War II making many components for the Liberator engine. My batteries went dead before I reached Stewart Street.
Factory #70/#81 the old Buick foundry is in the background.
They say "DEMOLITION MEANS PROGRESS" but I don't see it. My ancestors and I worked there many years and I still don't quite understand. "And yes"-- sometimes when I worked there I felt like knocking walls down.
Factory #70/#81 built torque converters from 1981 until last year.
Just piles of rubble now. Factory #70/#81 is still standing in the distance.
This is the same spot July 15, 2011 (shown below) one month ago. The old crankshaft factory #66 at the north-end of #31 is now gone also. It was still standing a month ago.
Industrial Avenue facing north. Boy it sure looks empty now.
Factory #31 used to fill this view facing north-east on Industrial Avenue. Before that factory #16 built in 1910 filled this view until 1941.

Leith street gate looking east. Links: Factory #66 Demolition Leith Street Revisited. Factory #03 Forge Buick WWII First Metal July 17,1942 Buick Northend Industrial and Leith Over 100 Years Factory #31 2/28/04 Factory #31 Axle Line Factory #31 Exhaust Pipe Bending Factory #10 Factory #05 Machine Work

Hellcat Loading & Shipping During World War II

2011-08-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

This ad appeared for publication after it had already destroyed many German tanks and was no longer a secret.

Notice the cables under tension behind the turret at the front of this tank. The tanks were shipped with the barrel facing the rear. This is factory #01.
Loading the M-18 in factory #01.

The M-18 uncovered on a New York Central flat-car.
Described below.
See description below.
The same as described below.
Hellcat tank destroyers heading for the main line. In this south-west view you can see part of factory #70 and #71 at the left, Building #71a would be built on the west side of #71 along Division st. after the war. Factory #11 is in the distance and would be re-numbered after the war, becoming factory #31. The barn like structure in the right background is the sand shed #76. Links: Factory #62 Getting Ready For War Division Street Revisited. Genesee County Tanks Buick At It's Battle Stations M18 Hellcats ready for shipping. Factory #62 WWII Buick 1911

The T-70 Tank Prototype

2011-08-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

That is the Buick main office along Hamilton avenue in the background. In this photo you can see where the old bridge to factory #01 used to be connected before the remodeling of #01 done in 1934. This open area was the location of the original south section old factory #01. "This area would be rebuilt after WW II". The army ordered two test models of this design. They were needed at that time (in 1942) for the British army in Libya. This first model with a 57mm cannon was completed in July of 1942. the second revised model with a 75mm cannon was completed in October 1942. This cannon would eventually become 76mm in size which required a complete rework of the tank. The army also requested that a machine gun be added. This first model had a Buick engine installed. Due to the increased weight factor they eventually used a radial air craft engine to power it. A line worker at Buick dubbed the tank "HELLCAT" and the name just stuck. The first of the tanks now known as the M-18 were completed on April 15, 1943. And the rest is history.
The T-70 under power. This is the same location as shown below.
This view of the T-70 prototype shows factory #01 at the right with factory #01's original west section in the background. This open area was created during the 1934 remodel of this factory.
Trying out the T-70 at the north Buick site.
The T-70 tank in front of the not yet finished aluminum factory #20. This factory would become factory #10 transmission plant after the war. This view is facing west near the Pere Marquette rail line and Stewart street.
Testing the T-70 tank at Buick in Flint, Michigan.

Army Air Force Training School

2011-08-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

The classroom layout for the Liberator engine training at Buick. This building was the original factory service center at Buick and later (in my time) it was truck repair.
Where the training took place for the Liberator engine at Buick in Flint, Michigan. This view is facing north-east.
Showing the students how magnesium burns.
Accessories class in factory #17-b.
Carburetor class.
Carburetor class.
In factory #17.
In #17-b.
In #17-b.
In factory #17.

In factory #17.
In factory #17-b.
Electrical class.
Electrical classroom.
Inspection area.
Inspection area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Nose section area.
Power section area.
Power section area.
Power section area.
Same as below, only a full photo.
Power section area.
Power section classroom.
Supercharger class in factory #17.
Supercharger class.
Supercharger class.
Supercharger class. You are facing east.
Engine adjustment area. You are facing north inside factory #17.
Engine adjustment area.
Engine adjustment area.
Engine adjustment area.
Final adjustment.
Final adjustment.
A completed engine used in the classroom.
Engines ready for testing.
Heading for the engine test shed.
Engine test layout.
Engine test shed facing east. St. Johns st. is just beyond this. This buildings location is shown in the map farther below.
A group of graduates.
Mail call.
You had to look good for graduation.
The military band rehearsal.
The Army Air Force band.

The same buildings as described below.
Factory #94 in the background.
The south wall of factory #94. Bridge #23 is visible at the left. This bridge exited on Division street.
Location for the final graduation ceremonies.
This shows the factory layout during the war. The graduation ceremonies took place between factory #17 and #94. Also the final ceremony took place at the I.M.A. auditorium in downtown Flint. Original (unmodified) map from "A Place Called Buick" by: Don Bent.
Left to right we see factory #17-b, #28, #40, #41 heat treat, #03, #02, bridge #23 and #94.
This photo of graduation day shows factory #94 at the right with a part of factory #28 at the left. Factory #40 and #02 are in the background. The photographer must have been standing on the roof of the engine test shed.
Army air Force brass outside of factory #17-b at the north-end during graduation ceremony's.
Graduation ceremony's at the north-end of factory #17 and #17-b. Engine assembly and adjustment took place on the first floor north-end just inside the doors in factory #17.
W. F. Hufstader (dark suit) at graduation ceremony. This east facing view shows factory #94 at the left with the engine test shed in the background right. Saint Johns street (later James P. Cole blvd.) would be just beyond the test shed.
W. F. Hufstader with army air Force officers. Hufstader was the General sales manager for Buick but since there were no cars built during the war he took over the job of running the school.

William F. Hufstader was the dean of the school. Links: Factory #35 And #94 Factory #17 A View From The Past And Present Army Air Force Technical Training Liberator Engine work at Buick. Factory #28 #17 & #94 Demolition 2000 Factory #17 Truck And Customer Service Inside Factory #17 War Work Factory #17-b and #17 Training School WWII Buick At It's Battle Stations Factory #28 #17 & #94 Demolition 2000 THE FACTORY BEHIND THE CAR

War Work in Factory #11

2011-08-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Factory #11 getting ready for war production. The following photos show the 90 mm and 4.7 gun mount and sight work done during the war. The lapping of the gun mount gears was also performed in factory #29 so it is possible some of the gear work shown here was done there. And work done in the making of the 20 mm shell body was also performed in factory #12. Other work in #11 included making camshafts. Factory #11 is now all gone as of summer 2011.

Factory #11 Demolished.

2011-07-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

Google earth image from June 1, 2011 showing only a small portion (about half of the original) of factory #11 still standing. I'm pretty sure this section was gone by July 22, 2011 when I was there.
I tried getting a different view of the demolition from the east entrance of Leith st. but this was as close as I could get.
The wall beyond the angled (or sawtooth) roof is all that is left at the north-end of factory #11 but this was a later addition.
All that was left as of July 22,2011. Facing east.
Factory #11/31 viewed from Oak Park on July 22,2011. I did not realize at that time that this facade was all that was left of the original plant built in 1909. View facing north-east. links: North-End Of Factory #31 Leith Street Revisited. Factory #11 1909 Factory #31 2008 Factory #29 WWI Ambulance Buick Engine Plant #11 Buick Factory Designations Inside Factory #11 1909 Factory #31 2/28/04 1923 depiction of factory layout Factory #11 around 1922 Factory #11 about 1924 Factory #11 before remodel Factory #31 Originally Factory #11

Factory #62 Getting Ready For War

2011-07-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is the area known as 62-A. Many more photos of this area are found throughout this blog, including this post. Note the wheel covers (hubcaps) are painted on this car instead of chrome; because of war time shortages. That is the north wall of factory #01.
This layout shows the present (1946) and the proposed (1947) changes at Buick. Again; Thanks are due to Don Bent and his fine book "A Place Called Buick".
A postwar factory layout in 1947. Factories #04 and #16/40 are the new additions after the war. The addition at the south-end of factory #62 known as 62-A would have been built either in 1940 or 1941. "This is the location of the Bandstand or elevated work station located at the south-end of factory #62. This is a photo (after 1947) when factory #01 north of the main office has been built up. The south wing of factory #01 was an open space during WW II.
The combined factories that were factory #62. This is a pre-1934 photo. AS ALWAYS, JUST CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR AN ENLARGED VIEW.
This shows the combined factories that were factory #62 where the M-18 tanks were assembled. This modified map version was taken from the book " A Place Called Buick" by Don Bent. (Your book is always at my side Don) I was inside of this factory on a tour once in the fifties. I did not step foot on the floor but walked across one of the overhead catwalks crossing over to factory #40/ bldg. #16 which was built following the war. My father was working in #40 at that time.

Here is a photo showing Harlow Curtice (straw hat) showing off the product that will be built in factory #62. This is the M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer developed and built by Buick workers. Must be one of the first mock-ups, "no gun installed yet".
One of the most famous photos from Buick. This shows the last 1942 Buick coming off the line before conversion for the war effort. "If it was anything like when I worked there, the maintenance workers were not far behind". This photo was taken February 3, 1942.
This shows you the bandstand area at the south-end during 1937. Some of the photos of this area are shown in the following photos.

This west facing view at the east wall of factory #10 inside factory #62 shows something that I have yet to identify. You can see it at the left, four photos below, (against the wall of factory #10) at the north-end of factory #62.
You are looking at the west wall of factory #07 inside factory #62. I also know this is the north-end because of the lights for the final line and also the position of the slat/final line.
I'm working on it, but this is definitely inside factory #62. You can see part of the roofed over area that created factory #62.

This is the roll test area at the north-end of factory #62.
This photo from the north-end of factory #62 is the same as the one shown (two photos) below. The slat line at the final inspection area has now been removed. Old factory #10 is on the left with #07 on the right.
This south facing view in factory #62 shows one of the many cross-over storage and work stations. In the distance, you can see the elevated bandstand at the south-end. Old factory #10 is on the right, with old #07 on the left.
This is facing south in factory #62 (the roofed over factory) near the final inspection area at the north-end. I like the time exposure in this one because you can see the ghost image of the maintenance workers. Old factory #07 is on the left with old factory #10 on the right. You can see this enclosed structure in 1946 straddling the line by clicking here.
This east facing view is the same area as the photos below, only taken from under the bandstand.
Same view as below, only taken from floor level. You will note that the unique windows that were present at the south-end of factory #62, prior to 1941, are no longer present because the bandstand is now housed in the new (roofed over) area know as the 62-A addition at the south of factory #62.
Same view as below, only the photographer is now elevated on one of the cross-over storage areas.
This view of the bandstand was taken from the same perspective as the one below, only now; the photographer is standing in #62 which was the new factory created by the roofed over area. The wall in the distance is old factory #01's north wall. This whole area was created by the new (roofed over) structure 62-A.
This is the bandstand (elevated work station) at the south end of factory #62. This view facing directly south is making the hairpin turn just after exiting the south-end of old factory #07. That is the north wall of factory #01. For those unfamiliar with factory #62, it was created in the mid twenty's as the "Unified Assembly Plant". It consisted of: factories #06, #07, #10, #62, #09 and #01. The area between factory #07 and #10 were roofed over, thus creating a new factory by simply building a roof. links: Buick Factory #62 Factory #62 Buick Assembly Factory #62 Revisited. Buick Assembly 1947 Factory #62 1950 Bumper Installation. Factory #62 Chassis Loading Factory #62 The Forty's Factory #62 1927 Factory #62 1942 Factory #62 1952 Factory #62 1937 Factory #62 1933 Factory #62 1936 Factory #62 radiator installation. Factory #62 WWII Factory #62 Construction And Assembly Factory #62 Emmanuel Godin Factory #62 1955 Factory #62 1937 Factory #62 Construction Detail Factory #10 1923 Buick Assembly 1922 Factory #07 Seat Stuffing Factory #09 Northeast Corner Assembly factory #06 Factory #06 Assembly Buick factory #1 & #6 The Last Flint Built Buick During World War II Factory #01 Buick Factory #1 Hamilton st. Flint Michigan (view south west) Buick At It's Battle Stations

Factory #05 2011

2011-07-26T03:38:00.001-07:00

This east view of the south dock shows the remnants of factory #30/#03 in the distance beyond the guard shack at right. "I still wonder why that is left in place"? click on photo for a better view.
Factory #05 originally known as building #43 was built for making components of the J-65 Sapphire jet engine. This factory built in 1951 to support war work for the Korean war (which ended July 27, 1953) ended war production in 1955. The factories designation was then changed to factory #05, and made gears for Buick engines and transmissions. The last visit I made to this plant was in 2002 while making a trip from Bay City Powertrain on my way to the Cadillac plant in Detroit on special assignment. This view is facing north-east. From the outside it seems un-touched as of July 22, 2011. Prior too 1951 the All Saints church and school stood in the foreground of this photo. links:

Factory #05 Construction J-65 Jet Engine Industrial Avenue Memories. Factory #05 Factory #05 Machine Work Factory #05 2008 Factory #30/#03 2004 Factory #05 2008

Factory #44 Site Through The Years

2011-07-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the same view as shown below (taken in 1943) of the Division st. gate. This photo was taken from across the street. My red Grand Prix shown in the photo below would be parked where the worker is walking in this photo. All photos facing west.
I took this photo July 15, 2011 showing the site seen below. I was standing where my car was parked in the photo below. Before factory #44 stood here this was the location of factory #01.

I took this photo in 2001 when demolition south of Leith st. was just beginning. The brown building is factory #44 built in 1974. The brick factory beyond that is factory #04 built in 1947. The gate is Division street which runs through the entire Buick complex for two miles. The 1995 Pontiac Gran Prix was my old car. link:

Factory #44 During Construction

Factory #44 Buick City

Buick 1975

Factory Designations

2011-07-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

This 1955 photo is facing south-west, showing the Buick north site. The #38 warehouse has not been built yet. It would be built north of factor #36. If you really want an in depth look into all the buildings at Buick, find a copy of: A Place Called Buick by author Don Bent.

For those new to this blog, the photos above show the factory numbers in 1947 and beyond. This is a north-east view. On some I have placed two numbers, the first is the original designation. "I hope this helps". Let me know if I'm in error, because I did this solely from memory. Thanks. links: Buick 1932 Buick City Building Designations Industrial Avenue Memories. The Oak Park Industrial Complex 1907

Buick 1908 & 1909

Factory #35 And #94

2011-07-23T07:52:00.001-07:00

This is factory #94 built on the site of old Buick factory #35. This is almost the exact view as shown below. This is a graduation ceremony in 1943 for the Army Air Corp that did there training on maintenance of the Liberator radial aircraft engine built by Buick and also training for the repair of the M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer, also built by Buick. The Buick training facility was located in factory #17 just out of site to the south in this photo.
A ghost image of the two photos below.
This is the same view as shown below, only the year is 1920. Factory #35 was a small parts plant.
This north facing view from James P. Cole blvd. formerly known as St. John Street, is the original site of Buick factory #35, built in 1909 as Weston-Mott factory #4. This factory was demolished around 1938, making way for the future factory #94. This photo is dated July 22, 2011. links: Buick For 1912

Factory #17 A View From The Past And Present

2011-07-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

A ghost image of the two photos below. The year is 1920 and July 22, 2011.
This is the same view as shown below. The year of this photo is 1920. The road at that time was known as St. Johns Street.
A north view of the site of Factory #17 on July 22, 2011. The road is James P. Cole. links: Factory #17-b and #17 Training School WWII Army Air Force Technical Training THE FACTORY BEHIND THE CAR

Factory #28 Then & Now

2011-07-23T05:52:00.000-07:00

Ghost image of factory #28.
This is the same view as shown below 91 years later. The street in front was re-routed in the 1970's during urban renewal. That was the time of the name change from St. Johns st. to James P. Cole blvd.
Factory #28 in 1920. This view is directly north with St. Johns street in front. This street is now James P. Cole blvd.

Factory #66 Demolition

2011-07-23T02:10:00.001-07:00

The year is 1926 and the new crankshaft factory #66 is now completed. This south-east view is from Conover st. (now Gillispie street.) the same as shown below. This was the corner of the building where I received my fork lift training when we needed to be re-certified. The inside of this factory closely resembled the west end of the Bay City Powertrain plant I retired from in 2003.
This photo and the two below were taken July 15, 2011. The roof trusses used for the "north-south" section of factory #66/#31 are from the old factory #12, just as the "east-west" section used old factory #01 roof trusses. The windows have been changed during a previous re-model of the factory, but this is where the people are standing in the photo shown above, when it was just completed.
Demolition of #66 taken from Gillespie st.
This south-east view showing factory #66 demolition was taken July 17, 2011. Factory #31 is in the distance. That is Gillespie st. visible at the lower right.
Demolition has begun on the old crankshaft factory #66 which later became part of the combined factories know as #31. This view is facing south-east, at the north-end. The factory was originally built in an "L" shape because (old Conover st.) now Gillespie street crossed Industrial avenue at this site. This photo is from July 22, 2011.

East Hamilton Avenue Gate.

2011-07-22T14:37:00.001-07:00

Same view as shown below only the year is 1934.
This view is facing directly north up Division st, at the east Hamilton avenue entrance. I took this photo July 22, 2011. link:

Division Street Revisited.

Buick Service And Parts

2011-07-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

The exact same view as shown below. The cross street was called St. John street at that time. Factory #01 and the second main office on Hamilton avenue are visible in the background.
This west view is the intersection of James P. Cole blvd. and Hamilton avenue. This was the location of The Imperial Wheel Co which later became a Chevrolet assembly plant, then a Monroe assembly plant and eventually Buick Service and parts. This photo was taken on July 22, 2011. links: