My City February 2023

MYHISTORY

The history of Greater Flint is steeped in relevance.We have seen titans of industry, great inventors, triumphs of commerce, heroes, villains, failure and renewal, and through it all stood our castles of time – the historic homes of Greater Flint. If walls could talk, the area’s oldest homes would give us nearly the full story, from the begin nings of our beloved cities and towns to today, including all the glory and heartache in between. That these homes continue to stand is a testament to our love of tradition and acknowledgment of our past. Let’s take a look at five of Flint’s historic homes and how they came to be. Castles of Time Greater Flint’s Historic Homes BY PETER HINTERMAN u PHOTOS BY WIKICOMMONS

Josiah Begole House 3401 Westwood Parkway, Flint Built: 1830s

МАРГАРИТА ФЕДОРЕНКО / stock.adobe.com

Thought to be the oldest home still standing in the city, it is estimated that it was built in the mid-1830s, possibly before Michigan became a state (1837) and long before Flint became a city (1855). It has seen everything from the city’s early days on the banks of the Flint River to its golden age and beyond.At the time of its construction, native Americans outnumbered pioneers in the area. It was built at the corner of Beach and Court Streets by a New York settler named EliakimM. Pratt, after he pur chased the land from none other thanWait Beach himself.

In 1837, Josiah Begole left his home in New York State and traveled by boat to Toledo, OH. He then traveled on foot to Genesee County. Once here, he purchased 160 acres of farmland with a $520 loan from his father. As Begole became more involved in the Flint community, serving as election clerk, school inspector, justice of the peace, and in 1856 as County Trea surer, he looked to move to a residence closer to the center of activity. In 1857, Begole purchased the home from Pratt and lived in the residence until his death in 1896.The Begole family had always been staunch abolitionists during their time in the United States, moving their home from the slavery south to New York in the north to distance themselves from the practice.

74

MYCITYMAG.COM