Porch Notes
The Little Brick Office Where General Motors Was Born
History and culture
Before Flint made cars, it made carriages — so many that it earned the nickname “Vehicle City.” The biggest carriage maker of all was the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, started in the 1880s by William C. Durant and J. Dallas Dort. Their plain three-story brick office at 316 West Water Street is where the real history happened.
From this building, Durant ran the deals that built the modern auto industry. He took over a struggling Buick, and then in 1908 he founded General Motors, later helping launch Chevrolet too. Pivotal decisions about all three were made inside these walls — which is why the little office is credited as the 1908 birthplace of GM.
It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and restored to its early-1900s look. Next door, Durant-Dort’s old “Factory One” — General Motors’ first factory — now holds the company’s historical archive, making this quiet corner of Flint one of the true cradles of the American automobile.
Where to see it
The restored Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office stands at 316 West Water Street in Flint. Right next door, Durant-Dort's old 'Factory One' — General Motors' first factory — now houses the company's heritage archive.
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Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: June 20, 2026.