The Belmont business district, largely centered on Watervliet Ave and Smithville Road, is an interesting part of Dayton. The commercial buildings are not among Dayton's most architecturally significant--the majority are rather nondescript one or two story structures built … [Read more...] about Belmont Then and Now: Watervliet and Smithville History
Historical Dayton
Selecting Dayton’s Most Endangered Buildings
Preservation Dayton, a longstanding organization which already has a track record of success for local historic preservation, is stepping up its efforts with a new initiative, the Endangered Properties Fund. Each year, a committee selects a list of the city's ten most … [Read more...] about Selecting Dayton’s Most Endangered Buildings
Map of the 1913 Great Flood: How Much of Dayton Was Underwater?
On this date in 1913, the Great Flood was in full swing in Dayton. On Tuesday, March 25, continuing heavy rains caused the levees to burst and send torrents of water into the central business district. The following day, Wednesday March 26, the floodwaters crested in Dayton … [Read more...] about Map of the 1913 Great Flood: How Much of Dayton Was Underwater?
Did Urban Renewal Work in Dayton? A Status Report from 1969
With the benefit of over a half century of hindsight, we now consider the large-scale urban renewal projects of the 1950s and 1960s as huge mistakes which hastened the decline of our cities instead of improving them. By razing human-scale, walkable neighborhoods for … [Read more...] about Did Urban Renewal Work in Dayton? A Status Report from 1969
Evolution of a Corner: 5th and Wayne from Dover Building to Dublin Pub
A great book of Dayton history that I have on my shelf is Dayton Album: Remembering Downtown by Jim Nichols, who for years wrote about downtown for his Downtowner publication and a column in the Dayton Daily News. In the book he has several pages devoted to the "evolution … [Read more...] about Evolution of a Corner: 5th and Wayne from Dover Building to Dublin Pub
The History and Razing of the Haymarket (The Actual Market)
In many of my presentations (and my book Lost Dayton Ohio), I tell the story of the lost Haymarket neighborhood, which was located in between the Oregon District and St. Anne's Hill, and how it met its end. This article will also chronicle the end of the hay market, … [Read more...] about The History and Razing of the Haymarket (The Actual Market)
When Lincoln Came to Dayton
On Saturday September 17, 1859 future President Abraham Lincoln made his one and only visit to the Gem City. Lincoln was in Dayton on a warm fall afternoon between prearranged stops in Columbus and Cincinnati, where he would meet with citizens, make an address on the steps … [Read more...] about When Lincoln Came to Dayton
Then and Now: Downtown Homes Long Demolished at 4th and Perry
I've written some about the western side of downtown Dayton, which before urban renewal was largely residential and contained some of the most beautiful homes in the city. The street that featured the largest concentration of "luxury" housing was Robert Boulevard, which … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Downtown Homes Long Demolished at 4th and Perry
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
History of Old and New Brown Street, Split Up by a Freeway
Out of all of Dayton's main urban streets, Brown Street has perhaps the most interesting history. Many other prominent city streets remain the way they were originally laid out, while others (or large parts of them) were wiped off the map completely during urban renewal … [Read more...] about History of Old and New Brown Street, Split Up by a Freeway