Saginaw Paint Manufacturing was established in May 1937. In 1940, the firm constructed a new factory at 344 W. Genesee where it operated until the business filed for bankruptcy in 1981. At one time, The Saginaw News stated: "Saginaw Paint Manufacturing Co., 344 West Genesee is a home-owned industry with a record of steady, conservative growth since incorporation in 1937. It is the only paint manufacturing plant in Saginaw and sells and promotes directly from factory to consumer at substantial savings because middleman costs are reduced." After the closure of the firm, the site was acquired by a new group of investors. There were two environmental superfund cleanups at the former manufacturing facility.
Saginaw Paint was the featured advertiser for the November 2, 1942, Saginaw News Recipe Contest – part of a World War II era series conducted by The Saginaw News. Both advertiser – and contestants responded to the realities of World War II war rationing.
“No Shortage of Paint Ingredients Keeps Saginaw Paint’s Wheels Rolling, Plenty of Paint Assured for Those Who Plan Winter Decorating
‘Housewives, who would like to do over odd pieces of furniture, repaint woodwork and walls in their spare time this winter, need have no worries about getting plenty of paint’, said Ray Campau, of the Saginaw Paint Company today. ‘Most women, I have found out. like to keep things looking new and bright. They also know that one of the easiest ways to do this is by using paint. What with tire and gas rationing, everyone is going to spend more time at home this winter. Naturally the housewife will want to keep her home looking better than ever. Then too, she’ll have more spare time on her hands and will probably put the whole family to work. She'll have Dad revarnishing the floors, big brother doing the walls and ceilings, sister doing the wood-work, while she, herself, attends to the smaller pieces of furniture, etc.’
Saginaw Paint Company is now putting on the market a new non-penetrating flat oil paint. A. C. Vincent, store manager, said they had been working on this all 'round paint for some time, and had finally developed what they feel is a very remarkable product. It can be used on wallpaper, cement walls, plaster, woodwork, wallboard and most all interior surfaces that will take paint at all. But, what they consider the most important feature is that the oil will not penetrate when painting wallpaper. It is a quick drying paint that has been time and laboratory tested, is guaranteed, and has a coverage of about 600 square feet per gallon, and in most cases one coat does a satisfactory job. Over plastic surfaces it eliminates the use of sealers or sizers. This paint is considered much more desirable than water thinned paints and is believed to be much more easily washed. This new paint is called "Saginaw Non-Penetrating Oil Paint". On a tour of the Saginaw Paint plant, Mr. Campau explained the grey paint we saw in the making was for plant machinery, the yellow primer was used on ships and the green for trailers. As you can see, this concern is really doing quite a job in the defense work field, and is mighty proud of this fact. While most paint manufacturing paint companies have found their business off about 25% during the past year, the Saginaw Paint Company has shown an increase of 18% and every indication points to a still larger increase before 1943. Each week on this page you will find a helpful suggestion in the advertisement of this company, and it will pay you to keep tabs on the different items. For the winners of the Recipe Contest, the Saginaw Paint Company offers three mighty useful prizes for any housewife, as you can see at the head of this page.” (The Saginaw News, November 2, 1942.)
The three prizes provided by the Saginaw Paint Company:
First Prize: 2 Gallons of Washable Semi-Gloss- any color
Second Prize: 1 Gallon Lin-O-Spar Varnish
Third Prize: 1 Gallon Old English No-rubbing Wax
The Recipe: Mrs. E.W. Hitzemann’s Apple Sauce Supreme
Competitors were required to submit recipes they had developed – cookbook recipes were permitted. The competition was strong and the entries diverse. For the November 2 contest: submissions ranged from Deer Camp Stew to Holiday Fruit Cake. The Winner was Apple Sauce Supreme submitted by Mrs. E.W. Hitzemann* of 1200 ½ Court. For her efforts she received 2 Gallons of Washable Semi-Gloss produced by Saginaw Paint Company. However, she had to apply her own paint.
Mrs. E.W. Hitzemann’s Apple Sauce Supreme
Prepare apples, allowing enough to make 2 quarts of sauce. Add ½ lemon, sliced, while apples are cooking. Remove lemon, put apples through colander or food mill. Add sugar, less than usual, leaving sauce rather tart.
To the 2 quarts sauce add 1 cup seedless raisins or pitted date cut into small piece[s]. Let stand until the next day. The Saginaw News, November 2, 1942.
CTK Interpretation
2 lbs. Apples**
1 cup Water
½ lemon -sliced
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1 Cup Dates cut into small pieces
Heavy whipping cream
Peel and core apples. Cut into small pieces and place in pan. Add water and lemon simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Add sugar as desired. After cooking run through sieve or food mill. Add dates and refrigerate overnight.
For dessert, fold a little whipped cream into each serving and garnish with whipped cream.
Notes:
*Born in Reese in 1911, Mrs. E. Hitzemann-Esther Schemm Hitzemann – moved to Saginaw in about 1923. In 1939 she married Erhardt Hitzemann. Mr. Hitzemann would become the principal of Holy Cross School. In 1954 they moved to Bay City. The Saginaw News records that Mrs. Hitzemann was the winner of numerous contests besides The Saginaw News cooking contest. She passed away in 2000.
**The CTK used Gala Apples, a decision based on ease of availability. We know there are fans of numerous other varieties.
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