Sign on top of the red building says “Swan Ice Cream Company”. The one on the right is “BEANS” Michigan Bean Company.
Thanks for those clues. I am going to posit the following coordinates as the painter’s location/perspective:
43°26’9.01”N
83°56’24.53”W
I am also going to surmise it to be an afternoon view during the summer months when the sun *could* light up the north side of a building. The opposing sides of the Swan Ice Cream Company and the Michigan Bean Company are both given light. The bridge would be Genesee Ave.
I’ll leave it to others to confirm or deny my take on this. Thanks for posting this work of art. I find it remarkable that you are able to view it closely, and have enjoyed taking it in visually.
I think the “Beans” sign has a jackrabbit on top. It was for Jackrabbit Beans.
As far as I can find, the Jack Rabbit didn’t appear until 1935. It is a well known landmark around here.
http://jameshowephotography.com/blog/2010/12/michigan-bean-bunny-saginaw.html/