I’m planning my Lansing Olds homecoming road trip. It’s about a 4hr drive for me, our plan is to leave early Friday morning to go sightseeing. We have done this every year, some of our side destinations include:

One of my first visits to Lansing I found the Oldsmobile assembly plant. Unfortunately, it was during is demolition. I did manage to grab a handful of bricks, they are proudly on display in my garage. I also have a couple on my fireplace mantle. Those have about 10 layers of paint, no doubt lots of history.

Found and visited the Demmer Engineering building. I was really surprised to learn it was still there.

The Bath, Michigan schoolhouse bombing location. I first learned about this about 20 years ago, I didn’t realize until fairly recently that Bath was right outside Lansing. For anyone unfamiliar with this, I’d suggest reading up on it. It’s sad and infuriating at the same time. Safe to say, Andrew Kehoe was plain bat **** crazy!!

Drove to Michigan state university to take pictures of Magic Johnson statue. They go well with my Larry Bird statue photos.

a couple years ago, we found and visited Ransom Eli Olds mausoleum. I wanted to pay my respects to the man that started it all. On a side note, his mausoleum also has a bit of bazaar history!

I recently learned that Jack “Doc” Watson is supposedly buried in the same graveyard. I have no clue if it’s true, if so that’s something else I’d like to see. Anyone know if it’s true?

Lastly, can anyone suggest anything else a Oldsmobile fanatic to see? Thanks.

 

You had not mentioned the REO Museum.. ?? (Not the mausoleum..)

 

I just got back from Detroit. If you have the time, the Henry Ford museum is insane!

 

I failed to mention that, been there several times.

 

I have season passes, we visit a few times a year. In my opinion, it takes several days to see and appreciate all of it.

 

I believe Jack "Doc" Watson is buried at White Chapel Cemetery which is the same cemetery where John DeLorean is buried.

White Chapel Cemetery
621 W. Long Lake Rd.
Troy, MI 48084

Ransom Eli Olds is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery

1800 East Mount Hope Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48910 United States

 

I’ll have to look into that

John Delorean is definitely on my “must find” list.

 

You can also see the former sites of plant #2 Foraging and rear differential assembly and #3 right across the street for sheet metal and bumpers. Fisher body is literally next door to #2. Plant 5 engine is still standing and used by Ryder trucking. You can also check out the Motor Wheel area, still standing (wheels) And if you are really bored. You can swing by my place for free admission to my mini Oldsmobile, REO, Fisher body and Motor wheel collection. I live 6 miles away from the show.

Pat

 

I really enjoyed my visit there a few years ago.
‘I stopped at a hot dog shop my the ball park. The guy used to work for Olds in the bumper chroming dept.
He told me to swing by in the morning…when I did he gave me his “We build them” license plate he was given back in the 70’s.
Super cool guy.

 

A designated site to forage. You don't see that any longer. I'll grab a cookie as I make my way out the door.

 

Hey Matt, I hope to meet you and other CO guys at the homecoming. I am going to man the gate for swap meet area in afternoon as a volunteer, I hope you and other CO guys come see me!

 

Damn auto correct!

 

I’ll be there!

 

After a bit of detective work, I learned that John Delorean is buried in Troy, Michigan, about 90 minutes in the wrong direction from Lansing. However, next time I’m in Detroit I’ll definitely make the side trip. Grace Lee Whitney (Yoeman Rand from Star Trek) was raised in an adoptive home in Ann Arbor. In curious if anything relevant to her is there.

I also learned Burt Reynolds childhood home is still standing in Lansing. I might find that.