I recently covered the recent reopening of Rabbit Hole Books after being closed for two months. Today, we will dig more deeply into the history of the parking garage where it is located, and whose condition has led to the ongoing disputes between the bookstore and the … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Oldest Parking Garage: History of the First Street Garage
Historical Dayton
A Rare Second Empire Mansion in Dayton: History of the Isaac Pollack House
The Second Empire style Isaac Pollack house was built in 1876, but not at its present location at 208 West Monument Ave across from the Downtown YMCA. Instead, it was originally located a few blocks away at 319 West Third Street. Originally, it stood next to an … [Read more...] about A Rare Second Empire Mansion in Dayton: History of the Isaac Pollack House
The Eagles Building: A Historic Fraternal Hall That Survived South Main’s Transformation
South Main Street beyond Dayton's Central Business District has lost a huge percentage of its historic urban fabric over time. A large portion was removed for the construction of US-35 in the 1960s, and I've covered buildings that held on longer but ultimately were razed, … [Read more...] about The Eagles Building: A Historic Fraternal Hall That Survived South Main’s Transformation
Three Historic Buildings Lost in Dayton in 2025
Several notable buildings disappeared from Dayton’s landscape in 2025. In Episode 2 of the Dayton Vistas Podcast, I cover three structures that are different in almost every way, but each represents a piece of how Dayton grew and changed over time. They weren't … [Read more...] about Three Historic Buildings Lost in Dayton in 2025
The Santa Clara Business District: History, Preservation, and Recent Fire
The Santa Clara Business District is one of the most intact early neighborhood commercial strips left in Dayton, but has suffered through decades of disinvestment and faces an uncertain future. This article pulls together its early history as well as more recent … [Read more...] about The Santa Clara Business District: History, Preservation, and Recent Fire
Appalachian Migration to Dayton, Ohio: Where Families Lived and Worked
Over the past several years, as I’ve researched Dayton’s industrial history and the neighborhoods that once surrounded its factories, one theme has come up repeatedly: Appalachian migration. Between the late 1930s and 1960s, tens of thousands of people from eastern … [Read more...] about Appalachian Migration to Dayton, Ohio: Where Families Lived and Worked
History of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton (Notre Dame Academy)
Today's Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School is a longtime downtown anchor. It has existed in its current form since 1973, but the school has roots that can be traced back to previous institutions that were established long before. The story begins at the historic … [Read more...] about History of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton (Notre Dame Academy)
Dayton Gym-Cadets and the Dayton Gymnastic Club
I've recently been publishing history on the Dayton Triangles football team, including an article, YouTube video, and a presentation on the team for Centerville-Washington History. It's been especially interesting not only for the significant sports history (the first NFL … [Read more...] about Dayton Gym-Cadets and the Dayton Gymnastic Club
NCR: A Then and Now History in Dayton
The National Cash Register Company (NCR) was one of the most influential corporations based in Dayton, shaping the city’s economy, landscape, and national reputation for innovation. From its transformation of James Ritty’s cash register into a global business under John H. … [Read more...] about NCR: A Then and Now History in Dayton
Lost Mansions of East Third Street: Huffman Then and Now
With Dayton having experienced a major snow storm this week which broke the record for single day snowfall (previously held by the blizzard of 1978), this is an appropriate historic image to look at. It depicts two residences on East Third Street in 1873 "after a heavy … [Read more...] about Lost Mansions of East Third Street: Huffman Then and Now