1901

A heritage of people caring about people

To appreciate the most recent chapter of the IMA's rich heritage, you much understand how it all began. The man responsible for writing the first chapter of the IMA Story was J. Dallas Dort, founder of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, and Flint civic leader. It was mainly through is efforts that the Associated Factories of Flint w as established in 1901. He never would have imagined that his endeavor would lay the foundation for one of the most unique organizations of its kind in the world. No one took more interest in the life of the working man than J. Dallas Dort. He believed that the character of a city's development depended entirely on the way in which the city and its industries took responsibility for the health and welfare of its workers.

1901-1908

Associated Factories of Flint

Toward that goal, the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association was formed. The new association provided insurance for employees of Flint's vehicle factories. Shortly thereafter, the Vehicle Workers Club, a very popular branch of the organization was incorporated. In 1908, Associated Factories organized formally as the Manufacturers Association of Flint - the same year General Motors was founded in Flint.

1915

Industrial Fellowship League

In 1915, Charles Stewart Mott, a GM vice president, appointed an industrial committee with Walter P. Chrysler as its chairman. The committee called itself the Industrial Fellowship League. Many recreation and educational activities were offered to the workers through the IFL. The IFL opened an evening school for factory workers known as Auto Trade School. The school later became the Flint Institute of Technology, which developed into General Motors Institute.

1917

IFL purchases Potter Lake

In 1917, Potter Lake, a 400-acre resort with picnic areas, swimming beach, cottages, pavilion and lodge, was purchased to provide recreation activities for IFL members and their families.

1922

Industrial Mutual Association Officially Established

The Industrial Mutual Association of Flint was officially established on September 22, 1922 when the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association and the Industrial Fellowship League merged. To support its various activities, the IMA managed cafeterias and vending machines in Flint's vibrant auto factories. The IMA began to flourish and leased five floors of the Industrial Savings Bank Building at the corner of Second Avenue and North Saginaw Street for its headquarters.

1923 - 1927

Flint Institute of Technology to General Motors Institute

1923: Auto Trade School becomes Flint Institute of Technology. 1926: IMA confirms plans to merge "Flint Tech" into General Motors Institute of Technology 1927: GMI formally opens its 3-story, 65,000 square foot facility.

1927-1929

IMA Auditorium

In 1927, the Randall Lumber and Coal Company property in downtown Flint was purchased for construction of an auditorium. Completed in 1929, the IMA Auditorium provided seating for more than 6,000 people and offered diversified activities including lectures, dances, stage shows, exhibitions, sports events and concerts. The Auditorium held many great memories for people throughout the decades.

1959

IMA Auditorium Annex Opens

Other IMA facilities included Athletic Park, a 3,000 seat athletic field adjacent to the Auditorium. In 1958, the park was used to build an annex to the Auditorium.

1963

IMA buys Brookwood Golf Course

In 1963 the IMA purchased Brookwood Golf Course, site of the 1965 Michigan Open Golf Tournament.

1963

IMA Opens Satefyville

For thousands and thousands of Flint area residents, their first experience “behind the wheel” of a car was at IMA Safetyville, which opened at Kearsley Park Playland in 1963. And it was one of those special experiences that evoked many fond childhood memories. Safetyville was a fun and educational project geared toward children ranging in age from five to ten years old. According to an article published in 1964, it was “just like a small Flint” – a model of regular highways with intersections, overpass and underpass structures, guard rails, traffic signals, pavement markings, traffic signs, a school, church, gasoline station, garage and other structures. Kids who visited received instructions in pedestrian and traffic safety, and after passing an exam, they were allowed to get behind the wheel of electrically-powered model cars. Spring, summer and fall sessions were held between April and October.

1969

IMA opens the Sports Arena

In 1969 the IMA opened the Sports Area on Lapeer Road. It became the home of the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League and attracted sellout crowds of more than 4,000 enthusiastic fans.