lbkulinski Fundraiser, Griffith Historical Society

Don’t We Look Great?

We are excited to display our photo that is in the new 2023 Griffith Animal Shelter Calendar. Debby Hoot and her furry friend, Dorey, a white husky mix, are surrounded by members of the Panther Adult Program.

The calendar is an annual fundraiser for the Shelter, which is under the auspices of the Griffith Police Department. Our picture was shot in late September at our Griffith Historical Park. The members of the Panther Adult Program were helping us with our newest effort, The ElmerJ Project, introducing Griffith third-graders to the history of our town. 

The Animal Shelter Calendar is filled with photos of town places, town employees, and lots of dogs and cats, too. In addition, the town events are marked on the calendar so you won’t miss any of our fun times in Griffith.

The calendar is available at Town Hall and the Griffith Police Department during their regular hours and sells for $10. A great stocking stuffer for friends and family this Christmas, plus you’ll be helping save homeless animals and find them new homes. 

This calendar is definitely Santa-approved!

lbkulinski EJ&E Interlocking Tower, Griffith Historical Society, Support the History Museums, Parks, & Rail-Cam

We’ve Entered the 21st Century!

Beginning October 25th, the Griffith Historical Society has a webcam broadcasting live on YouTube from our EJ&E Interlocking Tower!

It is thanks to member John Wotkun’s hard work that made this happen. Thanks, too, to Logan Kulinski, our website manager.

A bit of history. Once Griffith had five railroads crossing at Broad Street. As many as 180 trains a day traveled on the 11 tracks that made up the interlocking. The railroads were: Michigan Central, Erie, Elgin Joliet & Eastern, Grand Trunk Western/Canadian National, and the Chesapeake & Ohio.

Today, only Canadian National operates routes through Griffith. However, the former Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railway tracks still cross those of the former Grand Truck at the Griffith interlocking.

These connecting tracks can be seen allowing trains to connect between these two routes. As a result, a number of different railroads are on the move though Griffith every day.

The Griffith Historical Society’s EJ&E tower webcam is offered through the Steel Highway YouTube page. Follow this link to view the live feed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbExEgdKBxs

lbkulinski Depot & Train Museums, Griffith Historical Society, Griffith History, Town History Museum at the Franklin Center

Beautiful Memories

These Griffith Centennial Black-Eyed Susans flourished this summer in Board Member Karen Kulinski’s back yard.

This plant was the official flower of the town’s Centennial in 2004. A couple of Susans were set out that year in the Kulinski back yard and have made themselves at home. It doesn’t seem possible that celebration of Griffith and its history was almost 20 years ago.

The Griffith Historical Society continues to celebrate our town and its history every day. Stop down to Franklin Center’s lower level and view our newly reimagined displays, featuring The Story of Griffith from its damp beginnings, and our Wall of Honor celebrating Griffith’s veterans.

The museum is open in September and October on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 to 2, enter through door G. In November we go back to our normal first and third Saturday schedule.

lbkulinski Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Griffith Historical Society, Town History Museum at the Franklin Center

Some Updates

A NEW PAGE

We have a new page on our website featuring the rebuild of our C&O Inspection Car that had been left in pieces when a renovation project was abandoned several years ago by the person who began it.

Thankfully, two men who have a passion for these vintage work cars stepped up and are bringing our little car back to life. Look for information and photos here.

FRANKLIN CENTER MUSEUM CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
               
The Model Railroad group at Franklin Center has closed down for the summer. When they are not open, we do not have easy access to bathroom facilities, so we must close also. We will be open the 3rd Saturday in September, the 17th, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

As we did this past summer and through last winter, we will be again working on new displays during our downtime. In particular, we will be setting up displays in our new school and school sports room.