The Griffith Historical Society is more than just a "railroad club."
Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the town's pioneers have worked together through the years to preserve Griffith's history and plan activities for families to enjoy and to attract visitors to special events. A dedicated group of officers and board members get help from Griffith businesses, schools, clubs and families in completing projects.
Griffith Historical Park and Museum at 201 S. Broad St. (Broad and Avenue A) includes two buildings on the State and National Registers of Historic Places - The Grand Trunk Depot Museum and the Griffith Centennial Tower - as well as several railcars and other historical displays. Admission is free.
History
In 1854, The Michigan Southern Railroad (became Michigan Central) ran first tracks through Griffith area. Later, in 1880, The Grand Trunk ran tracks, the Erie in 1881, Elgin, Joliet and Eastern in 1888 and the Chesapeake and Ohio came later still.
Development
In 1891 Jay and Elmer Dwiggins, land speculators, bought 140 acres of land where railroads joined (Broad Street) and unofficially named it Dwiggins Junction. They laid out lots, streets and alleys and brought prospective buyers on excursion trains from Chicago to what would become Griffith. A depression in 1893 left them bankrupt. They abandoned the unfinished town and fled the states to South America.
Railroads and the Indiana Pipeline Company (Standard Oil) built on the edge of town in 1880s and provided jobs for some of the residents who chose to stay with the farmers. Nov. 19, 1904, the first Griffith Board of Trustees held a meeting for the newly incorporated town. Peter W. Govert, Mathias Grimmer and Moses L. Toohill were the first town fathers.
Future
One of the society's proudest accomplishments was finding sponsors and artists to create 40 replica train engines to decorate the town streets for its centennial in 2004.
Students in fourth through seventh grade for five years researched information and adults provided additional information and photos for the 280 page cntennial book, "The Town That Came to the Tracks." This commemorative project was directed by Beiriger Elementary School teacher Kathleen Baroevich and edited by Karen Kulinski, historical society curator. Books can be bought for $20.
The society has a new project researching and identifying older homes and businesses in Griffith. Of special interest are those homes ordered through the Sears catalog, for example, the home at 314 E. Main St. built by William Grimmer in 1920. The home kits arrived by train.
