The beautiful building at 20 Livingston Ave, just off of Huffman Ave, is known as the Oscar M. Gottschall house. It was built c. 1870 for Gottschall, a prominent Dayton attorney, and his wife Octavia Soule who were married in 1869. It's an unusual building which … [Read more...] about History of the Oscar Gottschall House
Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
In my last article, I retraced the history of Dayton's Courthouse Square. Now I'll take us from its opening in 1974 to the present day, as well as reflect on possibilities for the future. The Square: From the 1970s to Today Courthouse Square has had a rocky 50 years of … [Read more...] about Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
All About Dayton Formation Limestone: A Key Historic Building Material
One important material in Dayton's historic architecture is stone, which was used in early dwellings, key transportation infrastructure, and grand public buildings like the Old Courthouse. Most of the stone you see in these structures is a special type that is local to … [Read more...] about All About Dayton Formation Limestone: A Key Historic Building Material
The Patterson Gristmill and Rubicon Creek
This historic image depicts the old Patterson Gristmill which was constructed in 1816 by Colonel Robert Patterson. Its location was just a couple hundred feet west of the corner of Brown and Caldwell Streets, roughly the area depicted below close to Fitz Hall at UD (a … [Read more...] about The Patterson Gristmill and Rubicon Creek
Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future
It houses one of the Dayton region's greatest architectural treasures. It's a vital public space in the center of downtown, linking key hubs like the Dayton Arcade and Schuster Center. But it's said to be a shell of what it once was and what it could be again, sparking … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future
History of the United Business Services (UBS) Building
I recently published an article about Woodard Development's foray into the Oregon District. Today I'll cover the history of another building they purchased just on the edge of the historic neighborhood. The former United Business Services (UBS) Building is located at … [Read more...] about History of the United Business Services (UBS) Building
Oregon District Buildings to See New Investment, One Is Razed: Some History
A major developer in Downtown Dayton's renaissance recently acquired several buildings in and near the Oregon District. Woodard Development, which has completed major projects throughout downtown and Webster Station including both adaptive reuse and new construction, will … [Read more...] about Oregon District Buildings to See New Investment, One Is Razed: Some History
Pocket of Buildings Recalls Old Wayne Ave
The area around Fifth Street and Wayne Ave has seen tremendous change over the years. Once a dense neighborhood commercial district that extended far in all four directions, today we still can enjoy well-preserved Fifth Street in the Oregon District to the west. But head … [Read more...] about Pocket of Buildings Recalls Old Wayne Ave
The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St
Downtown Dayton west of Wilkinson Street is an area that's lost many beautiful buildings over the years. In fact, its transformation from dense residential neighborhood to large complexes for government and educational institutions was so complete that I wrote an article … [Read more...] about The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St
A Lost Building at 1014/1016 W Third St
Sometimes when I'm doing research on a particular Dayton site I come across something totally unrelated that piques my interest. And rather than consider it an unwelcome distraction or use it as an opportunity to go completely down a rabbit hole and forget what I was … [Read more...] about A Lost Building at 1014/1016 W Third St