The Dayton Arcade has attracted the most attention among potential downtown projects lately, but a building whose rehab would have a more visible effect on Dayton's skyline is found just across Main Street. I'm talking about the Centre City Building, which has a fascinating … [Read more...] about History of the Centre City (United Brethren) Building
Historical Dayton
James Ritty’s Pony House Saloon
We recently looked at James Ritty’s invention of the cash register, before John Patterson took the enterprise to greater heights with NCR. But Ritty also has another interesting story that connects to a present-day business. His original occupation was a saloonkeeper and he … [Read more...] about James Ritty’s Pony House Saloon
Then and Now: Aerial of Third and Jefferson, Fire Blocks
With the Fire Blocks development undergoing some major changes and hopefully starting real construction soon, let's travel back in time and take a look at the area from a high vantage point. Some buildings will look familiar, but others are long gone. The Beckel Hotel … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Aerial of Third and Jefferson, Fire Blocks
Who Invented the Cash Register? Meet James Ritty, a Dayton Saloonkeeper
The invention of the cash register began not with a major corporation, but with a Dayton saloonkeeper confronting a very practical problem. In 1879, James Ritty created the first mechanical cash register as a way to prevent employee theft, a simple idea that would ultimately … [Read more...] about Who Invented the Cash Register? Meet James Ritty, a Dayton Saloonkeeper
More Dayton Demolitions: East Side as Seen via Streetview
We've already looked at before and after shots of demolitions that have taken place in the Streetview era (2007-2018), focusing on some downtown buildings, Old North Dayton's former commercial center, and few others scattered throughout various Dayton neighborhoods. But … [Read more...] about More Dayton Demolitions: East Side as Seen via Streetview
Uncovering Old Buildings Downtown: DPS, Reynolds & Reynolds
Dayton can't magically bring back any of its old buildings that have been demolished, but it can uncover the few that survive hidden under more modern coverings or cladding systems. One such example that was in the news recently is the Price Stores building (below), a … [Read more...] about Uncovering Old Buildings Downtown: DPS, Reynolds & Reynolds
The Gem City Polo Club and the First Roller Polo League
Early Dayton sports teams have seen a resurgence of interest in recent years, especially football's Dayton Triangles who hosted the very first NFL game right here in the Gem City on October 3, 1920 at Triangle Park. There are plenty of other examples of early Dayton teams … [Read more...] about The Gem City Polo Club and the First Roller Polo League
History of the Dayton Biltmore Hotel
Today it’s a senior living community known as the Biltmore Towers, but for decades the magnificent building at the northeast corner of Main and 1st Streets was a prominent hotel that once welcomed Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy as guests. The hotel was constructed in … [Read more...] about History of the Dayton Biltmore Hotel
Dayton’s Lost Architecture: Demolitions from 2007-2017 (Streetview)
Dayton has lost an almost unfathomable amount of its historic architecture over the years, ranging from once-grand downtown office buildings, stores, and hotels to neighborhood business districts and homes all over the city. Many people rightly think of the 1950s and 60s as … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Lost Architecture: Demolitions from 2007-2017 (Streetview)
What Can You Find at the Aviation Museum in Wright Dunbar?
Dayton has quite a few historic sites connected to the Wright Brothers and their early experiments with aviation. Today several of them are linked together under the name of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, which also commemorates the Wrights' earlier … [Read more...] about What Can You Find at the Aviation Museum in Wright Dunbar?