Originally published 4/29/2020; updated 3/27/2025 with info on demolition of Chaminade Hall (at bottom of article) Our last article looked at the history of the University of Dayton. Today we'll explore some of the old buildings on campus that are still standing. Zehler Hall … [Read more...] about Historic Buildings on the University of Dayton Campus
Historical Dayton
Lost Commercial Buildings at Main and Franklin
In a recent article I showed a Then and Now of South Main and Franklin where a 1920s auto building has been transformed into a medical facility. On the other side of Franklin at the SW corner of the intersection, unfortunately, we have a different story with a great block … [Read more...] about Lost Commercial Buildings at Main and Franklin
The Historic Roundhouse at the Fairgrounds and the OnMain Development
Original article posted March 9, 2018 The recently announced preliminary development plan for the former Montgomery County Fairgrounds site has excited many due to its walkable design, sustainability, and potential to connect to adjacent areas. Granted, the plans are still … [Read more...] about The Historic Roundhouse at the Fairgrounds and the OnMain Development
Odd Fellows (IOOF) Building History in Dayton
The building at the SW corner of Third and Jefferson Streets looks very ordinary today but is actually an old landmark that is unrecognizable from what it once was. It was originally a 4-story Gothic Revival stone structure built circa 1870 as a temple for the … [Read more...] about Odd Fellows (IOOF) Building History in Dayton
1989 in Dayton: A Lost Historic District and Two Office Towers
A little while back I covered Dayton's oldest commercial buildings that survive downtown. There I wrote about how the classic 19th century business block, most often Italianate or other Victorian style architecture, is all but extinct in Dayton's central business … [Read more...] about 1989 in Dayton: A Lost Historic District and Two Office Towers
Building Substitution and Conversion on South Main
I've published several articles that take a Then and Now look at particular intersections in Dayton. Today is an interesting case in that it features the same corner at three different moments in time. And for a part of town (the southern edge of downtown) that has very … [Read more...] about Building Substitution and Conversion on South Main
Wright Company Factory History
I've written a couple of articles and recorded a video about the Wright Brothers including where in Dayton they lived and where they had their print and bike shops. Sadly there are very few locations that still stand in their original location. But there is another … [Read more...] about Wright Company Factory History
The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
Recently I reflected on the golden age of retail in downtown Dayton, tracing the history of Rike's, Elder-Beerman, and other popular downtown department and specialty stores. Today the environment is much different, with many local businesses struggling to survive and only a … [Read more...] about The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
Bommy’s Bar, Dayton’s First Apartments, and Riverview Park
The image above depicts a popular saloon known as "Bommy's Place" that once stood off of Salem Ave just across the Great Miami River in Dayton View. It was owned by Fred Bomhard who opened it in 1896. The establishment was known as "one of the best-known and most popular … [Read more...] about Bommy’s Bar, Dayton’s First Apartments, and Riverview Park
West First Street – Dayton’s Old Park Avenue
The story of Downtown Dayton from the 19th century through the first half of the 20th largely involves the transition from homes to office buildings and other larger structures. Then in the 1950s and 60s still more were removed for parking and some whole areas were cleared … [Read more...] about West First Street – Dayton’s Old Park Avenue