In 1904 Ransom Eli Olds founded the REO Motor Car Company and built a factory on this site. In 1897 Olds had organized the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, the forerunner of Oldsmobile. REO soon became a leading automobile producer. The REO Motor Truck Company was formed in 1910 and production of the popular Speed Wagon soon began. REO offered the first practical automatic transmission in 1933; however, the Depression-era economy brought an end to car production in 1936. The company focused instead on commercial and military vehicles under the name REO Motors. Diamond T Trucks merged with REO in 1967, resulting in Diamond REO Trucks, Inc. The maker of "The World's Toughest Truck" closed in 1975. Despite its designation as a National Historic Landmark, the plant was razed in 1979 to make way for new industry
June 3rd, 1864 Ransom Eli Olds, auto (Oldsmobile) and truck (REO) manufacturer, born in Geneva, OH
1880, Family moved to Lansing
1886, Built three-wheeled steam-powered horseless carriage
1892, Developed stationary gasoline engine and put it into production
1893, Built four-wheeled steam-powered automobile
1896, Successfully demonstrated gasoline-powered vehicle on August 11
1897, Founded Olds Motor Vehicle Company with Edward L. Sparrow, Eugene F. Cooley, Frank G. Clark, Arthur C. Stebbins, Alfred Beamer, Fred W. Seibly and Detroiter Samuel Latta Smith
1899, Formed Olds Motor Works on May 8
1900, Production began in Detroit in March
1901, Detroit factory burned on March 9
1902, First cars shipped from new Lansing plant on February 22
1904, Left Olds Motor Works
1904, Formed REO Motor Car Company
1908, Oldsmobile became part of General Motors
1911, REO started building trucks
1936, REO stopped building cars, continued making trucks
1950, R. E. Olds died in Lansing on August 26
05/31/1975, Diamond REO closed
