As they built their
business in East
Saginaw, the Goodridge brothers took on more specialized
responsibilities. William focused on stereos and special commissions.
Wallace managed the business and conducted portrait sittings.
They created their most distinctive
studio accessory, the rustic steps, and purchased cameras that allowed
them to make larger portrait and landscape negatives.
In 1869, the Goodridge home burned
while the family was at an emancipation celebration. They lost personal
items as well as "about 1,000 negatives, a camera and other
photographic apparatus."
Then, on Tuesday, October 22, 1872,
fire destroyed the Crouse Block where the Goodridges had their studio.
They managed to save only five cameras.
On November 9, 1872, the brothers
began building a new studio/home on Washington Street. They remodeled it
over the years, eventually adding a brick and metal storefront.
