Since the time of the horse and buggy, Vehicle City has shined brightly during the holidays. When the first snow blankets the ground and thoughts of merriment and gift-giving fill the air, Genesee County downtowns come alive. Trees are adorned, buildings gleam and shop windows hold holiday wonders to delight all ages. Take a trip down Memory Lane with some nostalgic holiday scenes courtesy of the Sloan Museum Archives, Factory One, Genesee County Historical Society and area historical associations.
A Grand Blanc resident decorates the family Christmas tree in the early 1900s. The photograph is from the Evatt Family Collection as provided by the Grand Blanc Heritage Association.
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Photo courtesy of Sloan Longway Collection
Saginaw St. in 1907 featuring Foot & Church (hardware), Economy Shoe Store, Crawford & Wright (clothiers) and Flint Furniture Store. The crowd is gathered for the Christmas Slipper Sale at Economy Shoe.
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Photo courtesy of GCHS
The view on Harrison St. on Christmas Day, 1948 includes the Rettkes Garden Center and Beecher, Peck & Lewis Paper Company.
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Photo courtesy of GCHS
600 block S. Saginaw St. on Christmas Day in 1955 highlights Flint Glass & Paint, Hamady Bros., Grinnells, Ferris Bros. Furs, and Vogue clothing store.
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Photo courtesy of GCHS
At Smith-Bridgman’s Department Store, Christmastime decorations in 1955 featured lighted garland and snowmen galore.
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Photo courtesy of GCHS
Smith-Bridgman’s Department Store at Christmastime in 1955 featuring lighted wreaths and flying reindeer.
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Photo courtesy of GCHS
Dec. 26, 1957 view of the 700 block of Harrison St. featured Hamady Bros., Colonialage Furniture, Brownson Fisher Wallpaper, and Taystee.
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Photo courtesy of Factory One
Present day Downtown Flint featuring the Mott Foundation Building lit up for the holidays in 2022.
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Photo courtesy of Factory One
The Flint Christmas Tree framed for the 2022 holiday season. Here’s to another great year!