Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office

The Durant-Dort Carriage Company Office is a three-story red-brick building with distinctive sixteen-over-one wood-sash windows and measures about 40 by 60 feet. This structure served as the administrative center for one of the largest carriage manufacturers in the United States.

William C. Durant founded General Motors in this building in 1908, transforming it from a carriage company headquarters into the birthplace of a global automotive giant. This founding marked the beginning of one of the world's most influential automakers.

The building's exhibits showcase how transportation shifted from horse-drawn carriages to motor vehicles, reflecting the industrial changes that shaped American society. Visitors can see this transformation documented throughout the spaces.

The building is accessible through guided tours where visitors can explore the structure and view exhibits. Parking is available behind the building, and the location is easy to reach on foot.

The building preserves original interior elements like first-floor wainscoting, marble flooring, and wooden details from the carriage company era of the late 1800s. These crafted details give visitors a sense of how wealthy industrial companies furnished their offices.

Location: Michigan

Inception: 1895

GPS coordinates: 43.01722,-83.69611

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55