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Timeline of Key Events

From Flushing Historical Wiki


Introduction

This page has been prepared by the Flushing Area Historical Society to provide a concise, source-based timeline of key events in the history of Flushing, Michigan, and its immediate surroundings. Drawing on community histories such as the 1985 Flushing Sesquicentennial History, Volume One, the later local narrative and photo collection commonly referred to as Vol2, and C. O. Hart’s centennial compilations and notes, the table below brings together dates, places, and topics that are otherwise scattered across many different books and files.

The entries span from the first Euro‑American settlement in the 1830s through township and village organization, the coming of the railroad, the rise and decline of local mills and hotels, the development of schools and churches, the appearance of electric light and paved streets, and the long story of the Grand Trunk depot and its eventual restoration as a museum. Each row is tagged by category (such as “Bridge”, “Hotel”, “Education”, “Fire Dept.”, “Railroad”, or “Depot”) and anchored with an exact date whenever that information can be verified from the sources.

Because the Historical Society is committed to transparency about where our information comes from, every event is accompanied by a “Source” field naming the principal volume used (for example, Vol1.pdf, Vol2.pdf, Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, Centennial Chronicles 1835–1935, or Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol. 3) and a page reference to help researchers and family historians go back to the original context. Wherever different sources preserve different perspectives or related incidents for the same year, multiple rows are included rather than forcing the record into a single summary.

The Society intends this master table to serve as a working reference tool: it can be used to date historic photographs, interpret old business records, locate the original context of newspaper clippings, or simply follow how one small Michigan community grew from a river‑mill settlement into a modern town. As new research is completed and additional primary sources are examined, further rows and refinements may be added, but all updates will continue to follow this same documented, page‑cited format.

Year/Date Category Major event Source Page
1835 Settlement First settlers arrive in Flushing (Rufus Harrison and Henry French). Vol2.pdf 82–83
1836 Industry/Milling Horace R. Jerome acquires water‑power site at future village. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 16–18
1837 Industry/Milling First sawmill frame raised by Charles Seymour & Horace Jerome. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 17–18
1838-03-06 Government Flushing Township created by Act of the Michigan Legislature. Hart – Centennial Chronicles 1835 – 1935 pt1.pdf 31
1838-04-02 Government First Flushing Township election held at the house of Ezekiel R. Ewings. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 16–17
1838-10-18 Education First formal school district boundaries (Districts 1–8) recorded. Vol2.pdf 15
1839 Bridge First wooden Main Street bridge across the Flint River built at the present crossing, providing the earliest permanent wagon bridge between east and west banks of the future village. Vol1.pdf 64
1840 Industry First grist mill built by Seymour & Bowers on future Hart Mill site. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 17–18
1840 Church First Methodist class meetings and preaching services held at the Seymour saw mill on the west side of the river—considered the first organized worship in the Flushing area. Vol1.pdf 29–31
1842 Church Methodist Episcopal Society at Flushing formally organized and attached to the Flint Circuit, with services held at mill, homes, and schoolhouse. Hart – Flushing Through the Years, Vol. II – 1904 to 1924_Part2.pdf 5–8
1842 Education First framed school built on Chamberlain & Hazelton hill. Vol2.pdf 14–15
1844 Education Lyons School established on Lyons land in Clayton Township. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 120
1845 Education First west‑side village school erected on high bank near Seymour Road. Vol2.pdf 15
1846 Hotel Exchange Hotel (Langdon’s) built at Main & Cherry. Vol2.pdf 42, 85
1847-03-03 Church (Baptist) Baptist believers meeting as a branch of the Flint church organize the “Baptist Church of Flushing” with about 22–25 charter members. Vol2.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol2: 93–94; Vol1: 34–35
1848-02 Church (Union/West Side) Baptists vote to join with Presbyterians to build a shared “Union Church” on the west side of Flushing—later widely remembered as the West Side Church. Vol2.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol2: 93–94; Vol1: 34–35
1848 Church (Methodist) First Methodist church building—a wooden chapel—erected at NW corner of Main & Hazelton on land from James Seymour, using locally cut pine and oak. Vol2.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol2: 51; Vol1: 29–31
1848-05-24 Civic Federal road notice for Chamberlain Street mailed from Washington, D.C. Vol2.pdf 16
1852 Industry Hunter’s sawmill noted in county poor‑relief abstracts. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 212
1854 Foundry Flushing listed with an iron foundry in state gazetteer. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 101
1856 Bridge Second wooden bridge constructed at the Main Street crossing, replacing the original 1839 span as traffic and milling activity increase on both sides of the river. Vol1.pdf 64
1859 Education Rural schools such as Kent, Hurd, and Paton appear on township maps. Vol2.pdf 15
1860-03-17 Church (Presbyterian) Presbyterian Society of Flushing organized; elders include John Paton, Alanson Niles, James Seymour, Jacob Rezeau, Amos Woodruff, and Alexander Duff. Vol1.pdf 30–32
1860-06-13 Church (West Side Baptist) Baptists purchase the Union Church building at Main & Seymour, which becomes known as the West Side Baptist Church serving the west‑side neighborhood. Vol1.pdf; Vol2.pdf Vol1: 34; Vol2: 93–94
1860s–1870s Church (Catholic) First St. Robert’s Catholic Church built as a wooden country church west of Flushing in Hazelton Township (Gaines parish). Vol1.pdf 36, 48
1861–1864 Church (Presbyterian) Presbyterians construct their brick church at 309 E. Main; building completed in 1864 with a tall steeple added in 1865. Vol1.pdf 30–33
1863 Church (English Settlement) Methodist class at the English Settlement completes a frame church in the northwest part of the township. Vol1.pdf; Hart – Centennial Chronicles 1835 – 1935 pt1.pdf Vol1: 60; Hart – Centennial Chronicles 1835 – 1935 pt1.pdf: 83–84, 120
1863 Commerce Early Niles & Co. mercantile activity documented in business lists. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 100
1866 Commerce/Niles Building Arza Niles appointed postmaster at his Main Street store. Vol2.pdf 17
1869 Education Brick Union School era begins on Chamberlain & Hazelton hill. Vol1.pdf 84
1871 Education Two‑story brick schoolhouse completed for Union District No. 2. Vol1.pdf 84
1872 Bridge Third wooden Main Street river bridge built at the same site; this structure carries wagons and pedestrians until it is replaced by a new iron double‑span about 1880. Vol1.pdf 64
1872 Education Brick high school constructed on Chamberlain & Hazelton hill. Vol1.pdf 84
1875 Commerce A.N. Niles & Co. general store active as a major merchant. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 100
1875 Foundry James Sammer’s foundry operating near the west end of the river bridge. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 103
1877 Education English School District votes building fund and reorganizes operations. Vol2.pdf 93
1878 Hotel Original wooden Laurel House burns; hotel later rebuilt in brick. Vol2.pdf 43
1879 Hotel Eggleston House brick hotel constructed at Main & Cherry. Vol2.pdf 44, 86
c. 1880 Bridge (Iron) Double‑span iron bridge erected on Main Street over the Flint River, replacing the 1872 wooden span; the bridge has solid wood planking, later remembered for its loud clatter under wheels and footsteps and for children dropping stones through the deck to “plink” into the water below. Vol1.pdf; Vol2.pdf Vol1: 62, 64; Vol2: 63
1880s–1890s Bridge (Iron) Traffic sign posted on the iron Main Street bridge warns of a ten‑dollar fine “for driving on this bridge faster than a walk, or for driving more than 25 head of cattle on the bridge at one time,” reflecting heavy use by drovers moving herds to the railroad stockyards south of the depot. Vol2.pdf 19–20
1884 Fire Dept. First brick fire hall built on Maple Street. Vol1.pdf 41, 75
1884-06-29 Church (Methodist) New brick Methodist church at Main & Hazelton dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. Joel B. Goss. Hart – Flushing Through the Years, Vol. II – 1904 to 1924_Part2.pdf 3–4
1886–1890 Education Warner School constructed and operating on donated Warner land. Vol2.pdf 72
1887 Industry Niles & Cotcher woolen factory, ashery, and foundry active in the village. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 101
1887-12-11 Church (Baptist) First Baptist Church at Beech & Elm dedicated with a massive steeple and bell tower, becoming an east‑side landmark. Vol2.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol2: 93–94; Vol1: 34–35
1888-12-20 Railroad First passenger train of the Toledo, Saginaw & Mackinaw reaches Flushing. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 18–19
1889 Commerce Chatters Block built at Main & Maple, replacing earlier wooden stores. Vol1.pdf 62, 70
1889 Industry Ottaway Elevator at Terrace & Emily burns and is rebuilt. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 19
1890-09-21 Hotel Major fire at Laurel House; building rebuilt as a 2‑story hotel. Vol2.pdf 43
1891 Commerce Kimmell/Corinthian Hall at Main & Cherry brick‑veneered. Vol2.pdf 28, 138
1895 Utilities Village replaces kerosene and gas lamps with electric streetlights. Vol2.pdf 22, 104
1895 Bank Peoples State Bank organized as an early local bank. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part2.pdf 376–377
1896 Utilities Electric Light & Water Works plant dated “1896”. Vol2.pdf 22
1901 Industry West‑end Seymour sawmill ceases operation at dam site. Vol2.pdf 42
1903 Infrastructure Major flood surrounds Hart Mill and threatens its foundation. Vol2.pdf 20
1904 Bridge (Railroad) Ice pack destroys first railroad bridge east of downtown; replacement will be built in 1906. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol3_Part1: 95; Vol1.pdf: 95
1905 Library Peoples Bank Building upper floor used as community library. Vol1.pdf 85
1906 Bridge (Railroad) New railroad bridge constructed to replace the 1904 span; it remains until rail removal in 1931. Vol1.pdf; Vol2.pdf Vol1: 95; Vol2: 27
1908–1924 Hotel Eggleston House operated by several proprietors (Mundy, Arn, Bruner). Vol2.pdf 27, 44
1911 Bridge (Iron) Solid wood planking on the iron Main Street bridge is removed and replaced with a concrete deck, strengthening the double‑span structure for growing wagon and early automobile traffic while the iron trusses remain in place. Vol1.pdf 64
1912 Commerce Six old wooden stores on north side 100‑block replaced by brick row. Vol2.pdf 140–141
1913-03-21 Church (Baptist) Violent windstorm blows down the tall spire of the Baptist Church at Beech & Elm; the steeple is never rebuilt, leaving only the bell tower. Vol2.pdf 94
1915-05-16 Commerce/Fire Sayre Block Fire destroys six new brick stores between 117–137 E. Main. Vol2.pdf 141
1916-02-?? Railroad “Great Train Wreck” in the Moore Cut south of town; engines trapped in deep snowdrifts. Vol2.pdf 69–70
1918-03-19 Industry Hart Milling & Power Co. mill burns for the fifth time in 72 years. Hart – Flushing & Clayton Historical Compilation, 1925_Part1.pdf 18, 133
1918 Industry Former mill / auto garage at Main & Maple burns (“from grist to gasoline” site). Vol2.pdf 32
1918 Church (Methodist) Towering steeple of the brick Methodist church is struck by lightning; upper portion removed, leaving a shorter bell tower. Vol1.pdf 29–31, 110
1919 Auto Era Central Gas & Oil station built at SW corner Main & Maple. Vol2.pdf 32, 105
1919 Power Power building near hart mill built photo
1920 Bridge (Concrete) Village issues $11,500 in bonds toward construction of a new concrete river bridge on Main Street, with the township expected to contribute $5,000, setting the stage for replacement of the iron double‑span. Vol1.pdf 64
1921 Fire Dept. First motorized fire engine (1921 Reo) placed in service. Vol1.pdf 41
1921-12-07 Church (Presbyterian) Former Presbyterian Church at 309 E. Main, long in decline, is offered to the Village; council accepts the gift and begins plans to convert it into a Community Center. Vol1.pdf 31–33
1921–1922 Bridge (Temporary) During construction of the new concrete bridge, a temporary wooden bridge is built across the river on the extension of Oak Street east of the lumber yard, carrying traffic up to Mary, east on Mary to Maple, and back to Main to avoid a long detour while the Main Street crossing is closed. Vol2.pdf 26
1922-05 Bridge (Concrete) New three‑span concrete Main Street bridge completed with a 60‑foot center span, two 54‑foot end spans, a 24‑foot roadway, and a 6‑foot sidewalk; the polished concrete, “like marble,” and its handsome profile lead observers to call it one of the most outstanding bridges of its type in the state. Vol1.pdf 64
1922 Bridge (Concrete/Boulevard lights) Decorative “boulevard lights” are installed on posts along both sides of the new concrete bridge; they become a nighttime attraction with their reflections in the river but are later removed after several years because of maintenance and electrical problems. Vol2.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol2: 26–27; Vol1: 64
1922 Gas & Oil Flushing Oil & Gas cement block station erected at 301 W. Main. Vol2.pdf 93
1923 Auto Arza Niles SW‑corner property at Main & Saginaw sold to Standard Oil; gas station planned. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 91
1924 Auto Gordon Bedford purchases 90 E. Main and builds an oil station (later Hart garage). Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 91
1924 Auto Fire at 103–105 N. Maple drives Ransom & Reid Buick agency from building. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 91
1924–1926 Roads Paving of Main Street, Flushing Road, and Seymour Road completed. Vol2.pdf 43
1927 Church Methodist church east wing added Photo 1927
1928 Golf First Flushing Valley 9‑hole course started on former Davie farm. Vol2.pdf 43, 120
1928 Hotel Laurel House hotel building demolished; lumber reused locally. Vol2.pdf 43
1929 Education Caldwell School expanded with second classroom and new foundation. Vol2.pdf 58–59
1931 Railroad Rails removed from Main Street; only spur to lumberyard retained. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol3_Part1: 27; Vol1.pdf: 95
1932-05-10 Church/Civic Renovated Presbyterian building formally opened as the Flushing Community Center; later becomes City Hall. Vol1.pdf 31–33
1934 Church Presbyterian steeple destroyed in storm; remaining structure later remodeled as city offices. Vol1.pdf 31–33
1935-07-21 Industry Flushing Manufacturing Service / Beck Sprayer building burns at Lynn & Emily. Vol2.pdf 39
1935 Events Centennial celebrations with Ferris wheel on Cherry and major parades downtown. Vol2.pdf 41
1936 Hotel Eggleston House demolished and replaced by a service station. Vol2.pdf 44
1937 Fire Dept. Second story added to Maple Street fire hall for caretaker’s apartment. Vol1.pdf 41, 75
1938-06-28 Fire Dept. Group photograph of Flushing Volunteer Fire Department taken. Vol2.pdf 41
1940s Theatre Dawn Theatre extensively remodeled on north side of Main. Vol2.pdf 71
1941-10 Commerce East and west additions at Central Distributors (90 E. Main) completed. Vol2.pdf 105
1942-02-04 Church (Nazarene / West Side School) Church of the Nazarene purchases the (empty) West Side School, District #2, on the west side of town; former school becomes a church building. Vol2.pdf 90–91
1943 Golf Flushing Valley 9‑hole course closed during World War II shortages. Vol2.pdf 120
1944-05-24 Golf Local group purchases Davie farm to revive Flushing Valley Golf Club. Vol2.pdf 120
1946 Industry Plant at Lynn & Emily rebuilt and occupied by Flushing Manufacturing Service. Vol2.pdf 39
1949 Lighting Mercury Vapor street lights downtown, fancy
1951 Commerce McNally dealership relocates sales from downtown to East Main. Vol2.pdf 122
1951 Church (Nazarene) New Church of the Nazarene sanctuary constructed behind former West Side School; Fellowship Hall added, creating a permanent west‑side campus. Vol2.pdf 90–91
1953 Education Central Elementary School opens as first consolidated grade school. Vol2.pdf 90
1954 Commerce McNally dealership moves to new Pierson Road facility. Vol2.pdf 122
1955 Business Bueche Brothers grocery expansion era begins on Main Street. Vol2.pdf 104
1957 Education Elms Elementary built on Elms Road with initial six‑room wing. Vol2.pdf 92–93
1958 Parks Riverview Park improvements begin along river and former millpond. Vol1.pdf 36–43
1959 Commerce Bueche’s new supermarket opens at 226 W. Main west of the bridge. Vol2.pdf 104
1959 Lighting Fluorescent Street Lights Downtown 1959 Photo
1960s Civic Library transitions into county system; major downtown improvements undertaken. Vol1.pdf 84–85
1962 Education Elms Elementary northeast wing (Unit A) added for lower grades. Vol2.pdf 93
1963 Church (Catholic) St. Robert’s School constructed beside the 1922 brick church on North Cherry. Vol1.pdf 36
1964 Water Flushing joins Flint water system; local wells and plant phased out. Vol2.pdf 22
1965 Commerce Luce Pharmacy relocates from downtown to Bueche Shopping Center. Vol2.pdf 121
1965 Commerce Morrish Mill torn down Photo 1965
1966 Church (Catholic) 1922 brick St. Robert’s Church on North Cherry demolished after new church is built alongside. Vol2.pdf 36
1966 Civic Flushing joins the Genesee County Library System. Vol1.pdf 85
1971 Commerce Staley family purchases Cherry Street building and expands plumbing & heating business. Vol2.pdf 107
1972 Lighting Overhead alley lights installed in reconstructed north alley of 100‑block. Vol2.pdf 38
1973 Railroad Grand Trunk sells depot and property (except main line) to Harry Herman and Robert Myers. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 33
1973 Church (Methodist) Brick Methodist church of 1883–84 demolished; present modern structure built on same site at Main & Hazelton. Vol1.pdf 35, 146–147
1973 Lighting Fluorescent Street Lights Downtown 1973 Photo
1974 Fire Dept. New fire hall built on East Main, replacing Maple Street facility. Vol1.pdf 75
1975 Depot Depot converted to “Depot Restaurant”; FAHS holds its first awards dinner there. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 33
1976 Railroad Bicentennial Walkway created; one old railroad pier preserved as a monument along the river. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf; Vol1.pdf Vol3_Part1: 23; Vol1.pdf: 144
1977 Lighting Fluorescent Street Lights Downtown 1977 Photo
1978-12-06 Railroad Major freight derailment in front of depot; sidings on both sides of main line later removed. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 33, 35
1979 Recognition Depot named to State Register of Historic Sites; Harrison homesite and Half‑Way House also recognized. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 34
1979 Archives Flushing Observer microfilmed from 1882 forward by Clarke Historical Library. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 34
1980-03 Industry Duramold plant at 120 N. Maple expanded from 3,200 to 7,600 square feet. Vol2.pdf 118
1980-04-20 Depot Grand Trunk depot heavily damaged by night fire starting in restaurant kitchen. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 34–36
1981 FAHS Historical Society membership passes 100; meetings rotate among local venues such as Caldwell School and the library. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 36
1982 Commerce Cherry Street pharmacy becomes Value‑Rite agency. Vol2.pdf 105
1983 Business Staley’s Plumbing & Heating enters third‑generation family era. Vol2.pdf 107
1983 Lighting Mercury Vapor street lights downtown. 1983 Photo Grange Building
1984-02-27 Depot Deed for depot recorded; building becomes property of the Flushing Area Historical Society. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 38
1984-07 Depot First debris‑removal and arch‑stabilization contracts let for depot restoration. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 38–41
1985 Civic Sesquicentennial History Volume I (Vol1) published by FAHS. Vol1.pdf front matter
1989 Lighting 1st Gen historical lights 1989 Photo
1992 Lighting 1st Gen historical lights 1992 Photo
1993-06-06 Depot Second depot dedication for memorial case, plaques, and donor sign, recognizing major contributors and volunteers. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 59
1993-09-17 Depot Automobile crash destroys southwest corner of depot; repairs completed that fall to museum standards. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 60
1994 Parks Concrete bandshell with roof completed at Riverview Park using portions of earlier stage. Vol2.pdf 140
1995-11-05 Depot First craft show held on new depot floors; interior floor system completed. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 70
1996-06-02 Depot Open house marks completion of basic depot reconstruction; about 200 visitors attend. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 62, 64
1997-06-07 Depot Grand opening of FAHS museum in the restored depot; over 200 visitors the first weekend. Flushing – Sesquicentennial History Vol 3_Part1.pdf 72–74