Wilfred Elizur Griggs (1866–1918) was an American architect from Waterbury, Connecticut.
Life and career Griggs was born in Waterbury on May 2, 1866, to Henry C. and Mary Bassett (Foote) Griggs. He attended the Waterbury English and Classical School until about 1882, when he went to work for the Waterbury Clock Company. In 1884 he began attending classes at the Sheffield Scientific School, in New Haven, receiving his degree in 1887.Men of Progress. Ed. Richard Burton. 1898. After, he went to Columbia University in New York, where he studied architecture, graduating in 1889.Catalogue of Officers and Graduates of Columbia University. 1916. For the next few years he worked for New York architects, possibly including Charles D. Marvin, a slightly older architect.
In 1891 he returned to Waterbury, where he opened an office. A few months later he entered into a partnership with the much older Robert W. Hill, with the stated aim of taking over Hill's office at his retirement. This occurred in about 1892. For a brief period circa 1895 he reassociated with Hill, who soon returned to retirement, this time permanently. Griggs practiced alone until 1900, when he associated with William E. Hunt, as Griggs & Hunt. Griggs & Hunt grew into Waterbury's leading architectural firm, and lasted until Hunt moved to Torrington in late 1914.Pape, William J. History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut. 1918.American Architect 24 March 1915: iv. After that, Griggs practiced alone until his death on June 24, 1918. He was interred at Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury.Riverside Cemetery
Though temporarily managed by Griggs' estate, in early 1919 Fred A. Webster, Griggs' chief draughtsman, took over the business under his own name.
Architectural works Wilfred E. Griggs, 1891-1900 1892 - Y. M. C. A. Building, 136 W Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut Demolished 1894 - Odd Fellows Building, 36 N Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1895 - U. S. Rubber Administration Building, Maple St, Naugatuck, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 31 Aug. 1895: xvii. Demolished in 2014 1896 - Hopson Block, 180 Church St, Naugatuck, Connecticut 1896 - Terry Block, 76 Main St, Ansonia, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 4 April 1896: xiii. The upper two floors have been removed 1897 - Hurlbut National Bank Building, Main St, Winsted, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 3 April 1897: 8. Demolished 1898 - Webster School, 90 Platt St, Waterbury, Connecticut Griggs & Hunt, 1900-1914 1900 - Thomaston Public Library, 248 Main St, Thomaston, Connecticut 1901 - David C. Griggs House, 175 Pine St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1902 - Albert L. Sessions House, 25 Bellevue Ave, Bristol, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 5 April 1902: x. 1903 - Camp Building, 140 Bank St, Waterbury, ConnecticutBrickbuilder October 1902: 220. The home of Reid & Hughes 1903 - Elton Hotel, 30 W. Main St, Waterbury, ConnecticutEngineering Record 25 April 1903: 450. In association with Bowditch & Stratton of Boston 1904 - Frank B. Noble House, 191 Woodruff Ave, Watertown, Connecticut 1904 - Whittemore Building, 213-219 Bank St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1905 - Bristol Co. Office Building, 40 Bristol St, Platts Mills, ConnecticutReal Estate Record and Builders' Guide 24 Dec. 1904: 1435. 1905 - Waterbury Boys' Club, Cottage Pl, Waterbury, ConnecticutReal Estate Record and Builders' Guide 29 April 1905: 936. Demolished 1906 - Thomas Neary Memorial Building, 203 Church St, Naugatuck, ConnecticutEngineering News 3 May 1906: 162. 1907 - Baldwin School (Former), 68 North St, Watertown, ConnecticutEngineering-Contracting 30 Jan. 1907: 14. 1908 - Marjorie Hayden House, 70 Pine St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1909 - New Haven County Courthouse (Remodeling), 7 Kendrick Ave, Waterbury, ConnecticutAmerican Architect 8 September 1909: 6. 1909 - Universalist Chapel, 12 Hewlett St, Waterbury, ConnecticutEngineering Record 12 June 1909: 46. 1910 - Hampson Building, 99 W Main St, Waterbury, ConnecticutBrickbuilder November 1910: 262. Demolished 1910 - Hitchcock and Northrop Apartments, 164-182 W Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1910 - Torrington Electric Light Building, 69 Water St, Torrington, ConnecticutAmerican Architect 13 July 1910: 6. 1911 - Lilley Building, 81 W Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut 1912 - Masonic Temple, 160 W Main St, Waterbury, ConnecticutAmerican Architect and Building News 26 June 1912: 8. 1912 - Standard Building, 14-20 N Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut Demolished 1913 - First Congregational Church Parish House (Remodeling), 40 Deforest St, Watertown, ConnecticutAmerican Contractor 13 Sept. 1913: 54. 1914 - Pilling Brass Factory, 480 Watertown Ave, Waterbury, ConnecticutEngineering News 20 Aug. 1914: 129. Griggs would continue to build additions here until his death Wilfred E. Griggs, 1914-1918 1916 - Paul D. Hamilton House, 98 Woodlawn Ter, Waterbury, ConnecticutSterner, Daniel. "The Paul Hamilton House (1916)". http://historicbuildingsct.com/. 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 1916 - Lincoln (Kingsbury) School, 220 Columbia Blvd, Waterbury, ConnecticutAmerican Contractor 11 Dec. 1915: 50. 1917 - Steele Building, 41 W Main St, Waterbury, Connecticut Demolished 1918 - Lewis L. Loomer House, 60 Coniston Ave, Waterbury, ConnecticutAmerican Contractor 17 August 1918: 49. 1918 - Joseph Telford House, 538 Main St, Waterbury, ConnecticutAmerican Contractor 16 March 1918: 53.
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