The IMA Auditorium In Flint, Michigan

The piece of property in Genesee Co., Michigan, Deeds #462-484 & #464-120, was purchased from the Randall Lumber & Coal Company in Flint for the IMA Auditorium. The IMA Auditorium hosted the Shrine Circus and lots of concerts among other happenings. The Flint Expatriates site reflects upon memories of events at there. The Auditorium was transformed into Auto World and then demolished for the expansion of the University of Michigan-Flint campus.

Genesee Co., Michigan, Deeds
462-484
29 September 1928
$1.00 & other valuable considerations
Randall Lumber & Coal Co., Flint
To
Industrial Mutual Association (IMA)

First ward beginning at the southwest corner of Block 20 of Village of Grand Traverse.....
2nd Avenue....3rd Avenue..... [See it on a map here]
Witness: Edith Brown

Signed:
Fred C. Richards, Randall Co., VP
Fred Eddy, Secretary

Genesee Co., MI, Deed
464-120
9 Oct 1928
$1.00
Randall Coal Company
To
Industrial Mutual Association (IMA)
Easterly line of Pere Marquette railroad...4th Street...to west bank of Flint River...Third Street....
Signed: Fred Richards & Fred Eddy
Witnesses: Edith Brown & Helen M. Kingsbury

1922 City of Flint Directory

From the "History of the IMA:"
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.

The forerunner of the IMA (Industrial Mutual Association) was the Flint Vehicles Factories Mutual Benefit Association (FVFMB); it merged with the Industrial Fellowship League. The Mutual Benefit Association (FVFMB) insurance paid a benefit for this man's ancestor per the funeral home records (his quest to find his ancestor is an interesting one). Among his research items is a letter stating what new companies joined and formed the FVFMB association between 1901 to 1916 as well as dues and benefit amounts.

On a personal note, I cried and cried as I watched the IMA Auditorium being demolished. Not only was it the place of concerts and circuses, it also was my Dad's (Richard N. Powers) office. On June 18, 1974, it was where my Dad's funeral was held.