Griffith Historical Society

About Us:

Griffith has been called "The Town that Came to the Tracks," and with good reason. The town was once an interchange point for five railroads - the Michigan Central, Erie, Grand Trunk, Elgin Joliet & Eastern, and the Chesapeake & Ohio.

In 1891, real estate speculators Jay and Elmer Dwiggins bought up farm land surrounding the interchange Point to found what they called "a factory town." Because of its proximity to the railroads, the Griffith they envisioned was a manufacturing metropolis to rival Chicago. Their vision never materialized. When a depression hit in 1893, the Dwiggins Brothers borrowed heavily against the land. Overextended and badly in debt, they eventually left the town behind and headed for greener pastures.