We've visited some R.E. Olds historic sites, mostly random finds during our travels 😊
He was born here in Geneva, Ohio in 1864. The house is gone.
He came to Lansing in 1880.
In 1899, Olds opened the Olds Motorworks in Detroit and tested the Curved Dash Oldsmobile Runabouts on Belle Isle.
The Lansing factory built on this site was later designated a National Historic Landmark but that wasn't enough to save it from the wrecking ball in 1979.
Along with the factory, the REO Clubhouse was also razed. It sounds like it was an amazing place and a wonderful community hub.
This mural is located across from the museum.
The small museum was really fun and informative.
The home in which Olds was born was apparently once commemorated.
This is the famous curved dash mobile that gave rise to the "In My Merry Oldsmobile."
I never knew that the band REO Speedwagon got its name from this 😊
What a beauty.
Who never wanted to ride along on a running board 😊
The Toronado
Win this car.
The museum has acquired a few historical artifacts, not necessarily related to RE Olds.
That wrapped up our museum visit.
Olds has a family mausoleum in Mount Hope Cemetery in Lansing.
He and his wife, Ursula Woodward, had four children, only two of whom lived to adulthood. Ralph lived one day, Mildred lived 12 days, and Gladys lived until she was 89 years old. They all reside here. Gladys' son, RE Olds Anderson, also rests here with his wife, Doris. The fourth child, Bernice, had three children of her own and is buried elsewhere.
RE Olds certainly left his mark on this country.
When I was in college at Michigan State I worked at WKAR in East Lansing in the 1980s. I toured the plant Later on While working at EDS I was assigned to GM’s Oldsmobile plant. The original factory was still there but incorporated into the updated plant. I’m not sure if any of that original plant remains. Brings back memories.
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