Another photo and post from our newest contributor, Ryan Lyden.
Here is one of my favorite photos in my collection. I was able to purchase a decent sized lot of items pertaining to Mr. Griffin a few years ago.
F.G. Griffin Tin Shop - 216 Germania Avenue (now Federal Avenue) - Saginaw, Michigan
This remarkable photograph, taken around 1912, captures the storefront of Frank G. Griffin’s tin shop located at 216 Germania Avenue (now Federal Avenue) on the east side of Saginaw, Michigan. The image provides a vivid glimpse into the life of early 20th-century tradesmen and small businesses in Saginaw.
Prominently displayed are large tin ventilation ducts and plumbing fixtures—testaments to the skilled work of Frank G. Griffin and his team. Griffin, a dedicated tinsmith born on September 7, 1863, would later transition from crafting functional metalwork to building intricate model ships, following a passion for working with tin. He continued this creative pursuit until his passing on July 24, 1936, and is now buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Saginaw.
Surrounding the shop are signs that speak to the era’s local culture and commerce: theater posters for performances at the Bijou and Jeffers Theatres, and neighboring storefronts such as F.J. Provost’s Bicycle Repairing Supplies shop. Another sign reads “W.E. Scott Plumbing and Heating,” likely indicating collaboration with Griffin.
This second photo is a 8x10 unmatted original. The image was purchased with the lot of other images I acquired, pertaining to Mr. Griffin. The image was taken by Beckman Brothers studio in Saginaw, during the early to mid 1920's. All of the models displayed are replicas of actual ships, built merely with tin.
Frank G. Griffin and his tin models
With workers posing proudly among their tools and products, these photos not only document a moment in time but also celebrate the craftsmanship and industrious spirit that defined small-town American enterprise in the early 1900s.
Here are just a few newspaper articles discussing Frank G. Griffin toward the end of his life.
MORE POST BY RYAN LYDEN
This remarkable photograph, taken around 1912, captures the storefront of Frank G. Griffin’s tin shop located at 216 Germania Avenue (now Federal Avenue) on the east side of Saginaw, Michigan.