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
Historical 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
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
History of the Edwin Smith House (Dayton Bicycle Club)
The structure that currently houses the Dayton Bicycle Club was originally a private residence, one of the few mid 19th Century homes that survived decades of development and urban renewal. Those trends replaced most early downtown residences, including some of the most … [Read more...] about History of the Edwin Smith House (Dayton Bicycle Club)
History of the West Third Street Business District in Wright-Dunbar
Columnist Jon White recently wrote about the potential of the Wright Dunbar Business District, so we thought it would be a good time to take a historical tour through the area and learn a little more about it. This first article will look at a general history of the … [Read more...] about History of the West Third Street Business District in Wright-Dunbar
Dayton View as Early Dayton Suburb (Newspaper Ads)
Tracing the history of suburban migration in Dayton is an interesting process. Today we see advertisements for the latest home communities in far-flung areas around Springboro, Beavercreek, Huber Heights, and the like, but a century ago many of the premier Dayton … [Read more...] about Dayton View as Early Dayton Suburb (Newspaper Ads)
The Dayton Arcade’s Grand Opening of 1904
Pre-development work is well underway at the Dayton Arcade, including restoration of the iconic rotunda. The development team hopes to finally close on remaining financing this month. Once real construction begins on the various residential, office, and retail spaces, … [Read more...] about The Dayton Arcade’s Grand Opening of 1904