The first Catholic church in Dayton was Emmanuel on Franklin Street, built in 1837. At first it primarily served German parishioners, but Dayton's rapid growth and subsequent increase in its Catholic population led to the parish becoming overcrowded, so it was divided … [Read more...] about History of Early Dayton Catholic Churches: Emmanuel, St. Mary’s and More
John Williams Stoddard, Business Pioneer of Dayton
In our last article, we looked at the history of 15 Bainbridge Street aka the Dayton Motor Car Building. The founder of that automobile firm was John W. Stoddard, who made his first mark by building up a major farm implement company. This article will take a closer look at … [Read more...] about John Williams Stoddard, Business Pioneer of Dayton
History of the First Black Church in Dayton
The first neighborhood in Dayton that was identifiably black was located along Seely's Ditch just to the east of today's Oregon District. First occupied around 1827, the area known as "Africa" was populated largely by men who worked on the Miami-Erie Canal. It was here … [Read more...] about History of the First Black Church in Dayton
Dayton’s Baseball History: Ducks, Marcos and More
Much of the recent interest in Dayton sports history has related to the Dayton Triangles football team, and rightly so given the upcoming 100th anniversary of the first ever NFL game which was played right here at Triangle Park. But Dayton also has a strong legacy as a … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Baseball History: Ducks, Marcos and More
History of the Downtown YWCA Building
The first phase of a major renovation was recently completed at the YWCA Building at the corner of Third and Wilkinson downtown. And although it was in dire need of an upgrade, the building has a long and proud history dating back to 1913. The organization actually … [Read more...] about History of the Downtown YWCA Building
The Arcade is a Go; What Pending Downtown Development Could Be Next?
The Dayton Arcade redevelopment is now officially underway, and it's been called a "catalytic" project for the downtown core with the potential to "spur further economic growth" in nearby areas. So what could be the next domino to fall? This article will take a look at some … [Read more...] about The Arcade is a Go; What Pending Downtown Development Could Be Next?
Dayton Arcade Post-Closure: Timeline and Redevelopment Efforts
The Third Street Arcade, Then and Now (Photos by Dan Arnold) Read Part 1: Dayton Arcade: A Historical Timeline Our last article left off in spring of 1991, when the Dayton Arcade finally closed after years of decline. (Two tenants did remain open: Arcade Seafoods with its … [Read more...] about Dayton Arcade Post-Closure: Timeline and Redevelopment Efforts
Dayton Arcade: A Historical Timeline (New Photos)
This article is part of my larger Dayton Arcade History Guide, which covers the full story of the complex, its buildings, decline, and redevelopment. Last week, Daytonians nervously awaited good news on the Arcade project as the development team and city faced a critical … [Read more...] about Dayton Arcade: A Historical Timeline (New Photos)
Dayton’s Lost Palace and Classic Theaters (Rare Photos)
In our last article about Wright-Dunbar, we showed the buildings that once housed the Pekin and Midget Theaters on West Third Street. But the premier entertainment district on the West Side of Dayton was found just a few blocks south. The business district on West Fifth … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Lost Palace and Classic Theaters (Rare Photos)
History of West Third Street Buildings in Wright-Dunbar
Our last article looked into the history of the West Third Business District in Wright-Dunbar, including some old maps of the area. Today we'll take it a step further by digging into the stories of many of the individual commercial buildings. 1000 Block The Hoover Block, … [Read more...] about History of West Third Street Buildings in Wright-Dunbar