This photo shows the intersection of Main Avenue and East Eighth Street in June 1941. The Crystal Block building is undergoing a major modernization of the façade. The former location of Stein Mercantile is being renovated to house Frank Maxwell and A.D. “Bud” Davis’ new “Franklin Variety Store,” a national chain of locally owned stores. The elaborate 1890s façade was demolished, and a sleek modern plate glass and tile façade was installed by contractor Garland Neal on the full 100-foot building. Goodman Paint and Glass Co. was also located in this building, which became known as the “Griffith Building” after Della T. Griffith purchased it in 1939. Stein Mercantile had closed with the retirement of its owner, Morris Stein. In 1947, Frank Maxwell relinquished the Ben Franklin franchise and continued to operate the store as Maxwell’s Variety Store. Durango Music was a longtime tenant in this building before the Durango Welcome Center occupied the space. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog number: 13.01.27 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)
This photo shows the intersection of Main Avenue and East Eighth Street in June 1941. The Crystal Block building is undergoing a major modernization of the façade. The former location of Stein Mercantile is being renovated to house Frank Maxwell and A.D. “Bud” Davis’ new “Franklin Variety Store,” a national chain of locally owned stores. The elaborate 1890s façade was demolished, and a sleek modern plate glass and tile façade was installed by contractor Garland Neal on the full 100-foot building. Goodman Paint and Glass Co. was also located in this building, which became known as the “Griffith Building” after Della T. Griffith purchased it in 1939. Stein Mercantile had closed with the retirement of its owner, Morris Stein. In 1947, Frank Maxwell relinquished the Ben Franklin franchise and continued to operate the store as Maxwell’s Variety Store. Durango Music was a longtime tenant in this building before the Durango Welcome Center occupied the space. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, [email protected] (Catalog number: 13.01.27 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)