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
Dayton Culture
History of Dayton’s Old Courthouse
The old Montgomery County courthouse is one of Dayton's (and Ohio's) finest architectural treasures. Fortunately you can find it still standing right near the center of downtown. The foundation for the courthouse was laid in 1847 and the job took three years to complete. … [Read more...] about History of Dayton’s Old Courthouse
New Book on Dayton’s West Side History
When it comes to researching and writing books on Dayton history, there's no one more prolific than Curt Dalton. In a career spanning several decades he has published over 30 public history books focused on Dayton and Ohio. The format and subject matter of Dalton's … [Read more...] about New Book on Dayton’s West Side History
Dayton, Arcade Getting Plenty of National Attention
This year there has been quite a bit of national attention on Dayton, Ohio. Much was due to the horrible series of tragedies the Gem City endured. But beyond the Memorial Day tornadoes and the Oregon District shooting, here have been other reasons Dayton has been in the … [Read more...] about Dayton, Arcade Getting Plenty of National Attention
History of Patterson Homestead (Rubicon Farm)
Brown Street near the University of Dayton is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, but one structure dates back to a time when the area looked completely different. The Patterson Homestead (also known as Rubicon Farm) was built in 1816, making it one of Dayton’s … [Read more...] about History of Patterson Homestead (Rubicon Farm)
Dayton’s Lost Dominic’s Restaurant: 1957-2007
One of Dayton's more popular longstanding restaurants was Dominic's, which for decades occupied a spot on South Main Street across from the Fairgrounds. The restaurant had just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007, however, when it was sold to Miami Valley Hospital and … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Lost Dominic’s Restaurant: 1957-2007
Opinion: Should Fifth Street in the Oregon District Go Car-Free?
In spite of the recent tragic events in the Oregon District, East Fifth Street remains one of Dayton’s great destinations. I often say that the Oregon District, specifically Fifth Street, is Dayton’s one true “big city” neighborhood. The business and entertainment district … [Read more...] about Opinion: Should Fifth Street in the Oregon District Go Car-Free?
The Miami Valley’s World-Class Bike Trail System
Did you know that Dayton and the Miami Valley region boasts the largest connected paved trail system in the entire country? In terms of connectivity, it is truly a world class system. Outside of trail systems in progressive and bicycle friendly metros such as Minneapolis, … [Read more...] about The Miami Valley’s World-Class Bike Trail System
The Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Museum
In a previous post, we introduced the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, one of the sites on the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park. The original home of the family that gave the neighborhood half of its name, the Wrights, is long gone, having been moved to … [Read more...] about The Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Museum
Downtown Dayton Restaurants: 2007 vs. 2018
Downtown Dayton is enjoying a major resurgence, and just about everyone is in agreement that there's much more to do today than in decades. But it's an interesting experiment to compare the actual number of amenities at two points in time. Thanks to an article from 2007 … [Read more...] about Downtown Dayton Restaurants: 2007 vs. 2018