James Griffin: Difference between revisions
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[[File:James Griffin.jpg|right|thumb|James Griffin]] | [[File:James Griffin.jpg|right|thumb|James Griffin]] | ||
'''James William Griffin''', sometimes known as '''Street James''' or '''The Mayor of First Avenue''' (born c. [[1958]]; died [[August 17]], [[2016]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the [[Loft District]]. | '''James William Griffin''', sometimes known as '''Street James''', '''Hustle Man''' or '''The Mayor of First Avenue''' (born c. [[1958]]; died [[August 17]], [[2016]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the [[Loft District]]. | ||
Griffin | Griffin came to [[Birmingham]] from Pennsylvania. He told people that he settled here after touring with a circus. He quit when he learned he would have to travel overseas and moved in with relatives in the [[Dolomite]] community. He found himself uncomfortable with their [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] church and took a room at the [[Bluebird Motel]] until he took to a life on the streets. | ||
He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including [[Dan Sartain]], [[Melissa Kendrick]] and [[Chatham Hellmers]]. He was known to look out for the safety and property of people who lived and worked in the area, and would generally "hustle" people for money, working odd jobs and selling junk, instead of begging. His self-built shelter under an expressway bridge was documented by photographer [[Melissa Springer]] in her [[1997]] book, ''[[Important Things]]''. | He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including [[Dan Sartain]], [[Melissa Kendrick]] and [[Chatham Hellmers]]. He was known to look out for the safety and property of people who lived and worked in the area, and would generally "hustle" people for money, working odd jobs and selling junk, instead of begging. His self-built shelter under an expressway bridge was documented by photographer [[Melissa Springer]] in her [[1997]] book, ''[[Important Things]]''. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Robinson, Carol (August 19, 2016) "'Street James' - shot to death at homeless camp- was beloved downtown fixture." {{BN}} | * Robinson, Carol (August 19, 2016) "'Street James' - shot to death at homeless camp- was beloved downtown fixture." {{BN}} | ||
* Kelly, Mark (August 23, 2016) "Remembering James Griffin." {{Weld}} | |||
[[Category:1958 births]] | [[Category:1958 births]] | ||
Revision as of 11:08, 25 August 2016
James William Griffin, sometimes known as Street James, Hustle Man or The Mayor of First Avenue (born c. 1958; died August 17, 2016 in Birmingham) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the Loft District.
Griffin came to Birmingham from Pennsylvania. He told people that he settled here after touring with a circus. He quit when he learned he would have to travel overseas and moved in with relatives in the Dolomite community. He found himself uncomfortable with their Jehovah's Witnesses church and took a room at the Bluebird Motel until he took to a life on the streets.
He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including Dan Sartain, Melissa Kendrick and Chatham Hellmers. He was known to look out for the safety and property of people who lived and worked in the area, and would generally "hustle" people for money, working odd jobs and selling junk, instead of begging. His self-built shelter under an expressway bridge was documented by photographer Melissa Springer in her 1997 book, Important Things.
Griffin was found dead from a gunshot wound to the arm near a mattress under the Elton B. Stephens Expressway on the 600 block of Carraway Boulevard. No suspect has been identified.
References
- Robinson, Carol (August 19, 2016) "'Street James' - shot to death at homeless camp- was beloved downtown fixture." The Birmingham News
- Kelly, Mark (August 23, 2016) "Remembering James Griffin." Weld for Birmingham