With a population of 81,252 (as of 2020), Flint is the eighth
largest city in the US state of Michigan. The city is about 95
kilometers northwest of Detroit on the Flint River and is the
county seat of Genesee County.
It was General Motors'
largest production site for a long time. In the 1980s and 1990s,
production was T. relocated abroad, which resulted in the
closure of the Flinter locations. With the accompanying loss of
jobs, the decline of the city of Flint was initiated after the
automotive industry had already severely damaged the environment
in Flint through its activities. Over 26% of residents now live
below the poverty line, almost 38% of under-18s are poor and 40%
of properties have been vacant since mid-2009.
Flint was
the city with the highest crime rate in the United States in the
period 2010-2012 (only cities with a population of more than
100,000 at the time are counted). Flint has by far the fastest
declining population, in the period 2015 to 2020 the population
fell by 3.5% per year, Flint currently has only about 80,000
inhabitants.
Flint, Michigan, once a booming automotive hub known as "Vehicle
City," has faced significant economic decline since the late 20th
century, leading to a landscape dotted with forgotten structures and a
rich tapestry of ghost stories. These haunted legends often stem from
the city's turbulent history, including industrial booms and busts,
tragic events, and Native American conflicts. Many tales involve
restless spirits tied to historic buildings, cemeteries, and sites of
violence, fueled by books like Haunted Flint by Roxanne Rhoads and Joe
Schipani, which document paranormal investigations and eyewitness
accounts.
The Whaley House: A Mansion of Tragic Spirits
One of
Flint's most infamous haunted sites is the Whaley House, located at 624
E. Kearsley Street, now operating as the Whaley House Museum. Built in
1885 by Robert J. Whaley, a prominent lumber baron and banker, the
Victorian mansion has a dark history marked by multiple deaths. Whaley
and his wife Mary lived there until their passing, but the house's eerie
reputation escalated after it served as a boarding house and later a
museum. Legends claim the spirits of the Whaleys and other former
residents linger, manifesting as footsteps on empty stairs, cold spots,
and apparitions of a woman in Victorian attire gazing from windows.
Paranormal investigators have reported EVPs (electronic voice phenomena)
capturing whispers like "Help me," attributed to a young girl who
allegedly died in the home from illness. Another chilling tale involves
a curse: previous owners, including a family in the 1920s, experienced
sudden tragedies, such as suicides and fatal accidents, leading some to
believe the house is jinxed. Visitors during tours often feel watched or
experience sudden nausea, especially in the attic where shadowy figures
are said to appear.
Capitol Theatre: Echoes of the Stage
The
historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint, originally opened in 1928 as
a vaudeville house and later restored as part of the Flint Institute of
Music (FIM), is plagued by spectral activity tied to its glamorous yet
tragic past. During the Great Depression, performers and staff faced
hardships, and legends speak of a stagehand who died in a fall from the
balcony, his ghost now haunting the upper levels. Witnesses, including
bands setting up for shows, report equipment mysteriously failing—lights
flickering, amplifiers cutting out—accompanied by disembodied singing or
screams from empty seats. Shadows dart across the balcony, and tapping
sounds echo on walls as if someone is signaling from beyond. Moans and
apparitions of a woman in 1920s attire, possibly a former actress, have
been seen during late-night rehearsals. The adjacent alleyway amplifies
the hauntings, with reports of cold gusts and whispers urging passersby
to "stay away."
Cemeteries: Restless Grounds of the Dead
Flint's cemeteries are hotbeds for legends, blending history with the
supernatural.
Avondale Cemetery: Established in the mid-19th
century north of downtown, this rundown burial ground holds the remains
of Flint's pioneers and reinterred graves from the old Flint City
Cemetery (dating back to 1842). Rumors persist that not all bodies were
moved, leaving some under modern buildings, causing hauntings in nearby
areas. Sightings include ghostly figures wandering among weathered
headstones, orbs in photos, and eerie silence broken by whispers. One
legend tells of a Civil War soldier's spirit who appears on foggy
nights, searching for his lost regiment.
Glenwood Cemetery and
Arboretum: Founded in 1857, this scenic site houses graves of industrial
tycoons like Charles Stewart Mott and J. Dallas Dort. As a certified
arboretum with over 1,000 trees, it's beautiful by day but eerie at
dusk. Legends include apparitions of Victorian-era mourners and
unexplained cold spots near prominent tombs. Some claim to hear faint
carriage wheels on paths, echoing Flint's horse-drawn era.
Sunset
Hills Cemetery: The Crack the Whip Legend: This cemetery on Flushing
Road features the infamous "Crack the Whip" sculpture by J. Seward
Johnson Jr., installed in 1983, depicting children in a game where the
last girl is flung off, leaving a sandal. The urban legend claims it
commemorates real children who died playing the game in the 1920s—the
girl thrown into traffic—donated by her grieving grandfather.
Supernaturally, stepping into the empty sandal supposedly dooms one to
death soon after, while at midnight, the statues allegedly animate,
their screams echoing. Though debunked (the sculpture is based on the
artist's living daughter), visitors test the curse, reporting dizziness
or misfortune afterward.
Stockton House Museum: The Colonel's
Eternal Watch
Built in 1872 by Civil War Colonel Thomas Baylis
Whitmarsh Stockton near natural springs called Spring Grove, this museum
at 720 E. Kearsley Street is said to be haunted by the colonel's spirit.
Stockton died in the home, and legends describe his ghostly figure
patrolling the halls, slamming doors, or moving objects. Visitors report
feelings of being followed, especially in the basement, where whispers
recount war stories. During Halloween tours, orbs and EVPs have been
captured, including pleas like "Leave my home."
Fenton Hotel
Tavern & Grille: Spirits at the Bar
Though technically in nearby
Fenton (part of Genesee County), this 1856 establishment is closely tied
to Flint's lore. Once a stagecoach stop, it's listed among America's
most haunted bars. Ghosts include an old custodian who rearranges
furniture in the dining room and a spectral patron who orders a Jack &
Coke before vanishing. Disembodied voices, moving glasses, and faint
figures in mirrors are common. One legend ties it to a murder in the
1800s, where a traveler was killed, his spirit now seeking justice.
Other Notable Legends
Sauk Tribe Massacre: Dating to 1638-1640,
this involves a brutal nighttime attack by Chippewa and Ottawa tribes on
the Sauk in Genesee County. The defeated Sauk fled, but the victors
abandoned the area, believing it haunted by warrior spirits. Artifacts
and skeletons found in 2008 near downtown Flint support the tale, with
modern reports of ghostly war cries in wooded areas.
Trio Tavern &
Grill (Goodrich): After a 1997 fire, renovations uncovered friendly
apparitions, including one watching workers approvingly. Paranormal
documentaries have investigated EVPs and shadows.
Miscellaneous spots
like the Linden Hotel (spirits since 1840), Diane’s Pawn Shop (lurking
shadows), and Flint Institute of Arts (spooky vibes amid artifacts) add
to the city's paranormal fabric.
Abandoned Places in Flint,
Michigan
Flint's abandonment epidemic is a direct result of the
automotive industry's collapse, starting with General Motors plant
closures in the 1980s, exacerbated by the 2014 water crisis and
population halving from 200,000 to under 100,000 by the 2010s. Today,
approximately 24,000 vacant properties—over 42% of the city's
total—stand as decaying reminders, many targeted for demolition by the
Genesee County Land Bank, which has razed over 8,400 since 2004. These
sites attract urban explorers but pose dangers like structural collapse,
crime, and debris.
Deserted Neighborhoods and Homes
Entire
blocks in Flint resemble ghost towns, with boarded-up houses overgrown
by weeds and streets littered with trash. Areas like those near downtown
and industrial zones show "glimmers of life" amid the decay—occasional
occupied homes surrounded by ruins—but many are hotspots for drug
activity and vandalism. Driving through risks flat tires from broken
glass or confrontations. These neighborhoods, once thriving
working-class communities, now evoke post-apocalyptic scenes, with
collapsed roofs and graffiti-covered walls telling stories of
foreclosure and flight.
Dort Highway: Corridor of Forgotten
Commerce
Dort Highway, a major thoroughfare, is lined with abandoned
structures that once housed businesses. Examples include former auto
parts stores, diners, and motels now with shattered windows and fading
signs. Specific sites like the old B-B Paint Company warehouse on North
Dort have become collapsing ruins used as shooting galleries or squats.
Many buildings have cycled through multiple owners—gas stations turned
repair shops turned vacant—reflecting Flint's economic shifts. Urban
explorers document graffiti art and remnants of daily life inside, but
trespassing is illegal and hazardous.
Industrial Relics and
Warehouses
Flint's automotive legacy left massive abandoned factories
and warehouses, such as those tied to GM's shuttered plants. Sites like
derelict piers (though more associated with nearby rivers) and sprawling
complexes on the outskirts stand empty, their vast interiors filled with
rusting machinery and echoes of assembly lines. The Tumblr blog
"Abandoned Flint" chronicles explorations, showing photos of crumbling
concrete and nature reclaiming spaces. These places often overlap with
haunted lore, as workers' accidents contribute to ghost stories.
Flint, Michigan, has a rich and tumultuous history shaped by its
natural resources, industrial prowess, economic fluctuations, and
significant social challenges. Located in Genesee County along the Flint
River, the city has evolved from a fur trading post to a major
automotive hub, and later faced severe decline and a notorious public
health crisis. This in-depth overview draws from historical records to
trace its development over two centuries.
Founding and Early
Settlement
The origins of Flint trace back to 1819 when fur trader
Jacob Smith established a village at the Grand Traverse of the Flint
River, a strategic point on the Saginaw Trail connecting Detroit and
Saginaw. Smith, who maintained good relations with local Ojibwe tribes
and assisted the U.S. government in land negotiations, divided his
holdings among his children. The area was originally inhabited by Ojibwe
communities, with the river's fords serving as contested sites, as
indicated by archaeological finds like arrowheads and burial mounds—some
parts of modern Flint even sit atop ancient Ojibwe burial grounds. Flint
Township was formally organized in 1836, and the village was
incorporated as a city in 1855. By the 1860 U.S. census, Genesee
County's population had reached about 22,500, reflecting early growth in
a state of roughly 750,000 residents.
19th Century Development
In the latter part of the 19th century, Flint emerged as a key player in
Michigan's lumber industry, with revenues from logging fueling a
burgeoning carriage-making sector. As the demand for horse-drawn
carriages gave way to automobiles, the city transitioned seamlessly into
vehicle manufacturing. Notable companies like the Buick Motor Company,
which relocated from Detroit to Flint, and local innovations such as AC
Spark Plug, solidified this shift. Other now-defunct brands, including
Dort, Little, Flint, and Mason, also originated here. Chevrolet's
inaugural manufacturing plant was established in Flint, although its
headquarters remained in Detroit. For a time, all Chevrolets and Buicks
were produced in the city. Culturally, Flint saw early advancements,
such as the founding of Michigan's first Ladies' Library Association in
1851 by Maria Smith Stockton, daughter of the city's founder, which
eventually became the Flint Public Library.
20th Century
Automotive Industry Boom and Mid-Century Growth
The early 20th
century marked Flint's ascent as an automotive powerhouse. In 1904,
William C. Durant took over Buick, propelling it to become the largest
car manufacturer by 1908. That same year, Durant founded General Motors
(GM) in Flint, initially headquartered there before moving to Detroit in
the mid-1920s. Durant, a pivotal figure, lost and regained control of
GM, even founding Chevrolet with racer Louis Chevrolet to facilitate his
comeback. The 1929 stock market crash ended his influence, and he later
operated a bowling alley in Flint until his death in 1947. Politically,
the city adopted a council-manager government in 1928 amid turbulent
times, including recalls of mayors like David R. Cuthbertson in 1924 due
to Ku Klux Klan involvement over a police chief appointment, and legal
troubles for William H. McKeighan. A Civil Service Commission was
introduced in 1935.
A landmark event was the 1936–1937 Flint Sit-Down
Strike, where United Auto Workers (UAW) members occupied GM plants,
leading to union recognition after mediation by Governor Frank Murphy.
This victory empowered the UAW nationwide. During World War II, Flint's
factories produced tanks and other military equipment, contributing
significantly to the war effort. The SS City of Flint, named after the
city, became the first U.S. ship captured in the war in 1939 and was
sunk in 1943. Post-war prosperity peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, with
Flint's population nearing 200,000 in 1960, making it Michigan's
second-largest city. GM's Buick and Chevrolet divisions drove economic
success, supporting institutions like the Flint Cultural Center and
establishing Bishop International Airport as a hub. However, tragedies
like the 1953 F5 tornado, which killed 116 people in the Flint-Beecher
area, marked this era as the deadliest in Michigan's history.
Late 20th Century Decline
From the late 1960s onward, Flint grappled
with severe economic downturns due to deindustrialization, depopulation,
urban decay, and white flight. The 1973 oil crisis favored
fuel-efficient imports over American cars, while GM downsized its
workforce from 80,000 in 1978 to under 8,000 by 2010 through
outsourcing, automation, and plant relocations to non-union sites. The
population halved from nearly 197,000 in 1960 to about 102,000 in 2010.
Crime rates soared, with Flint often ranked among the most dangerous
U.S. cities over 100,000 residents, topping violent crime lists from
2010 to 2012. Financial crises led to state interventions: an emergency
manager from 2002–2004 under Governor John Engler addressed a $30
million debt, resulting in the recall of Mayor Woodrow Stanley and
austerity measures. Another period from 2011–2015 under Governor Rick
Snyder saw managers like Ed Kurtz, Michael Brown, and Darnell Earley
tackle deficits up to $19 million, implementing cuts and shifting to a
council-manager system in 2014.
21st Century: Water Crisis and
Revitalization Efforts
The most infamous chapter in Flint's recent
history is the water crisis from 2014 to 2019. In a cost-saving move,
the city switched its water source from Detroit's Lake Huron supply to
the Flint River without adding corrosion inhibitors, leading to lead
contamination in drinking water. This public health disaster, confirmed
by independent studies, triggered a Legionnaires' disease outbreak,
lawsuits, official resignations, criminal indictments, and a federal
emergency declaration for Genesee County. Residents faced long-term
health risks, and trust in government eroded deeply. Remediation
included switching back to clean sources, replacing pipes, and
distributing filters, but skepticism persists.
Amid these
challenges, revitalization has been ongoing. Since 2002, over 1,100
abandoned homes have been demolished, with plans for thousands more. Key
projects include renovating historic buildings like the First National
Bank and Paterson Building, developing University Park as the first new
residential area in decades, creating a "University Corridor" linking
local universities, restoring Atwood Stadium and Saginaw Street,
converting the Durant Hotel into mixed-use space, and attracting new
industry like the American Cast Iron Pipe Company to the former Buick
City site in 2013. As of 2020, the population stood at 81,252, dropping
to an estimated 79,735 by 2024. Under Democratic Mayor Sheldon Neeley,
Flint continues efforts to rebuild its economy and community, focusing
on education, infrastructure, and addressing legacies of industrial
decline and environmental injustice.
Flint, Michigan, is the largest city and county seat of Genesee
County, located in the eastern part of the state within the Mid Michigan
region. It sits approximately 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit,
making it a key urban center in the Flint/Tri-Cities area. The city is
positioned along the Flint River, a significant waterway that has shaped
its development historically and geographically. Flint's geographic
coordinates are 43°01′28″N 83°41′31″W, placing it in the southeastern
portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The total area of Flint is 34.06
square miles (88.21 km²), with 33.42 square miles (86.56 km²) consisting
of land and 0.64 square miles (1.66 km²) of water, reflecting its modest
but notable aquatic features. Genesee County, encompassing Flint, spans
648 square miles (1,682 km²) overall, with 638 square miles (1,652 km²)
of land and 10 square miles (26 km²) of inland water.
Genesee County
itself is situated near 43°1'N 83°42'W, in a transitional zone where the
flatlands of the Saginaw Valley meet the more varied terrain of southern
Michigan. This location has historically supported industries like
lumbering and agriculture due to abundant natural resources, including
timber and fertile soils derived from glacial activity.
Flint's topography is characterized by low, rolling terrain primarily
along its southern and eastern sides, transitioning to flatter
landscapes in the northwest. The city lies just northeast of the Flint
Hills, a series of modest elevations that add subtle variation to the
otherwise level region. Elevation in Flint averages around 750-784 feet
(229-239 meters) above sea level, with specific measurements varying
slightly by source— for instance, central city areas are often cited at
751 feet (229 meters). In the broader Genesee County context, the
terrain is predominantly flat, especially in the northern and central
parts where Flint is located, but becomes hilly in the southern end,
dotted with numerous lakes. The county's lowest point is 600 feet above
sea level along the Flint River in the northwest (in Montrose Township),
while the highest reaches 1,032 feet in the southern Orchard Hills area
near Fenton.
This landscape is a product of glacial activity during
the last Ice Age, resulting in outwash plains and moraines that create
gentle undulations rather than dramatic relief. The central part of
Flint is built on a glacial outwash plain that cuts through the
recessional Flint moraine, contributing to the area's relatively even
surface suitable for urban expansion.
The Flint River is the defining hydrological feature of the city and
county, flowing through Flint and draining most of Genesee County.
Originally named "Pawanunking" by Native Americans, meaning "River of
Flint" due to the abundance of flint stones in its bed, the river spans
78.3 miles (126 km) and traverses Lapeer, Genesee, and Saginaw counties
before joining the Shiawassee River to form the Saginaw River, which
ultimately empties into Lake Huron. Within Genesee County, the Flint
River is dammed to create Mott Lake and the Holloway Reservoir in the
northeast, providing recreational and water supply functions.
The
southeastern and southern portions of the county are drained by the
Shiawassee River, adding to the region's network of waterways. Flint's
water coverage is minimal at about 1.9% of its area, but these rivers
and associated reservoirs support local ecosystems and have been central
to the city's industrial history, though they also played a role in
environmental challenges like the well-known water crisis. The area
benefits from groundwater resources, drawn from glacial deposits, which
supplement surface water.
Flint experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), typical
of southeastern Michigan, with four distinct seasons influenced by its
proximity to the Great Lakes. It falls under USDA Hardiness Zone 6a,
indicating cold winters and warm summers. Average annual temperatures
range from a January mean of 23.0°F (−5.0°C) to a July mean of 70.9°F
(21.6°C), with overall yearly averages around 45.8-58.2°F (7.7-14.5°C).
Extreme temperatures have reached 108°F (42°C) in July 1936 and −25°F
(−32°C) in January 1976 and February 2015.
Winters are freezing and
snowy, with temperatures failing to rise above 32°F (0°C) on about 133
days per year and dropping below 0°F (−18°C) on 9.3 days annually.
Snowfall averages 52.1 inches (132 cm) per season, occurring on 46.8
days, typically from November 12 to April 9. Summers are warm and
occasionally hot, with 7.8-9.0 days exceeding 90°F (32°C). Precipitation
totals about 32-33 inches (812-838 mm) annually, distributed fairly
evenly but peaking in warmer months like May (3.53 inches) and April
(3.05 inches). The growing season lasts approximately 153 days, from May
7 to October 8.
The climate is partly cloudy year-round, with windy
conditions more pronounced in winter. Climate change impacts include
fewer freezing nights, heavier rainfall, and more warm winter days,
potentially altering local water cycles and ecosystems. Notable weather
events include an F5 tornado in 1953 that devastated parts of the city.
Geologically, Flint and Genesee County are dominated by surficial glacial deposits from the Pleistocene epoch, covering the entire area. These include outwash sands, gravels, and tills that form the flat to rolling plains. Underlying bedrock consists of Pennsylvanian sandstone in some areas and Mississippian limestone, shale, and sandstone, which subcrop beneath the glacial overburden. The presence of chert (flint) nodules in sedimentary rocks like limestone and shale is notable, giving the city and river their names—these materials originate from ancient marine environments. The region's geology supports ample groundwater aquifers, vital for water supply, though contamination issues have highlighted vulnerabilities in these systems.
Flint's urban layout is organized around its downtown business district on Saginaw Street, south of the Flint River, which acts as a natural divider. Neighborhoods radiate outward: to the west are historic areas like Carriage Town and Grand Traverse Street District with Victorian architecture; north includes River Village with mixed housing; east features cultural hubs like the Flint Cultural Center; and south encompasses residential zones like Floral Park. Major highways (I-75, I-69, US-23) intersect nearby, facilitating connectivity. The city's geography has been influenced by its industrial past, with former General Motors sites scattered throughout, now often repurposed or vacant. Surrounding Genesee County offers over 11,000 acres of woods, water, and trails, blending urban and natural elements.
Education
University of Michigan–Flint (one of three campuses in
the University of Michigan System)
Kettering University, a STEM
school
Mott Community College
Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine
Traffic
Interstate 69,
interstate 75,
Interstate 475
Michigan Highways M-21 and
M-54.
Flint has
an Amtrak train station and is served by the Blue Water line.
Bishop International Airport is located at the southwest end of the
city.
James H. Whiting (1842–1919), owner of the Flint Wagon Works, at
times of Buick and the Whiting Motor Car Company, Buick President
(1903–1904) and co-founder of General Motors
Charles Wolcott
(1906–1987), music director, composer and film composer
Dale E.
Kildee (1929–2021), politician and Michigan representative in the US
House of Representatives
Stephen Smale (born 1930), mathematician
Betty Carter (1930–1998), jazz singer
Don Preston (born 1932),
musician
Nancy Kovack (born 1935), film and stage actress
Tony
Burton (1937–2016), actor
Donald W. Riegle (born 1938), business
executive and politician
John Sinclair (born 1941), anarchist
Robert Cashner (1942–2018), ichthyologist and university lecturer
Paul Krause (born 1942), American football player
Raye Birk (born
1943), actor
Craig Morton (born 1943), American football player
Mark Farner (born 1948), guitarist and songwriter, lead guitarist for
Grand Funk Railroad
Irwin Collier (born 1951), economist
Warren
Siegel (born 1952), theoretical physicist
Diane Carey (born 1954),
writer
Michael Moore (born 1954), award-winning documentary filmmaker
and author
Sandra Bernhard (born 1955), actress
Sue Novara (born
1955), cyclist
Ian Edmondson (born 1957), freestyle skier
Kathleen
Glynn (born 1958), graphic designer and film producer, owner and
executive producer of Dog Eat Dog Films Inc.
Carl Banks (born 1962),
American football player
Brent Williams (born 1964), American
football player
Terry Crews (born 1968), American football player and
actor
Chris Byrd (born 1970), boxer
MC Breed (1971–2008), rapper
Rahvaunia (born 1971), actress
Sinnamon Love (born 1973), porn
actress, fetish and glamor model
Marcus Sakey (born 1974), crime
writer
Tim Thomas (born 1974), ice hockey goalie
Seamus Dever
(born 1976), actor
Morris Peterson (born 1977), basketball player
Carol E. Reiley (born 1982), computer scientist and entrepreneur
Andre Dirrell (born 1983), boxer
Ellen Tomek (born 1984), rower
Jon Connor (born 1985), rapper
JaVale McGee (born 1988), basketball
player
Rachel DiPillo (born 1991), actress
Thomas Rawls (born
1993), American football player
Kyle Kuzma (born 1995), basketball
player
Claressa Shields (born 1995), boxer
Miles Bridges (born
1998), basketball player
Isaiah Crews (born 2005), actor
Repulsion, grindcore band
King 810, metal band
Ready for the World
R&B band