Recessed within the main sanctuary of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is an alcove called The Five Sisters Chapel. Light shines through a large stained-glass window depicting five women preparing to enter a door to Christ, who stands waiting. A plaque on the wall dedicates the Chapel to the memory of Margaret McFarlan, Eliza Henderson, Almira
“However [political parties]may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which
Family trees are often drawn depicting one’s ancestors in the branches above a living descendent; however, that visual is rather misleading. A more accurate version would show our forefathers as roots, for each of us has a family that grounds us, orients us, and makes us who we are. The further you search backward, the
The American auto industry was built haphazardly, in leaps and bounds, regressions and sudden spurts of innovation. The whole nation became fascinated with automobiles and worked concurrently, almost feverishly, to be the first to begin producing this machinery. Early automotive companies were named after the men who began them: Franklin, Oldsmobile, Marmon, Ford, Chrysler etc.
Flint Governor Series Part Two Michigan’s 19th governor was born far from the state in which he spent the majority of his life. Like many early Michigan settlers, he came from New York. Josiah Begole witnessed a number of radical changes in American life during the span of his life, and his political career encapsulates
The Flint Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is part charity, part social club, part professional development, and all living history. The men and women who make up this organization are Flint’s wise and involved community members who wish to pass along their accumulated knowledge and bless those in need in
Flint Governor Series Part One Henry Howland Crapo (pronounced cray-po), when he is mentioned at all by Flint historians, is often reduced to a footnote in W.C. “Billy” Durant’s biography (the C stands for Crapo). Although Durant is well-known in Flint for revolutionizing the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his grandfather,
An article about a cemetery in October may seem banal at first, but bear with me. Perhaps I felt compelled to save my cemetery chronicle for the month usually dedicated to spooks and spirits because I felt that in any other month, interest in cemeteries is roughly on par with interest in drying paint. Personally,
J. Dallas Dort was an important contributor to the development of Flint, both economically and culturally. Although he often stands in the shadow of his more conspicuous business partner and friend, W.C. Durant, his legacy is one of unwavering business sense, kindness and philanthropy, and of the two men, it is he who is looked
Dallas C. Dort, grandson of J. Dallas Dort, took time to share with My City Magazine a private view of his grandfather’s character and legacy. Although he never knew his grandfather personally, Dallas grew up hearing about him, gaining a strong impression of J. Dallas’ work ethic and personal greatness. To honor and continue that
Prompted by the many musical festivals that have kept the city humming over the summer, as well as the commencement of a new season at the Cultural Center this fall, My City Magazine met with Helen Bas, author of the soon-to-be-released book, entitled FSO: 96 Years of Music, to discover more about the history of
In 1910, Billy Durant was a millionaire; however, his life was anything but secure, due to his unbounded desire to conquer the automobile market and the reckless methods he employed to do so. Durant was a twice-made transportation mogul, first with the famous Durant-Dort Carriage Company in the twilight of the 19th century, and then
