I've previously written about the major Downtown Dayton urban renewal project that cleared just about all of a 4-city-block area just east of Main between 4th and 5th (the only exception was the old DP&L Power House which is now soon to be razed for a new police … [Read more...] about Dayton Convention Center Then and Now: Pruden, Gebhart, and Urban Renewal
Historical Dayton
A Minister’s Eyewitness Account of the Great Flood of 1913 from North Dayton
I often hear from Dayton Vistas readers who send me personal memories and family experiences connected to Dayton’s past. But today I’m excited to share one of the most remarkable original sources I’ve come across: a firsthand account of the Great Flood of 1913. Joe … [Read more...] about A Minister’s Eyewitness Account of the Great Flood of 1913 from North Dayton
Dayton’s Lost Union Station and Early Train History
In my book Lost Dayton, Ohio I cover Dayton's Union Station, a beautiful brick structure including a seven-story clock tower which was once a hub of activity downtown. This article will showcase that magnificent station that's been gone for many years, but it turns out … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Lost Union Station and Early Train History
A Hidden River Walk along the Great Miami in Downtown Dayton
I recently took a morning stroll on the nice walking path along the Great Miami River behind the Downtown YMCA. Riverscape Metropark is a very popular destination on the east side of Main Street, but not as many people continue across and experience the other side. The … [Read more...] about A Hidden River Walk along the Great Miami in Downtown Dayton
History of the Dayton Art Institute: From Its First Home to Today [Old Photos]
All historic images are courtesy of Dayton Metro Library The Museum's Founding and Original Location What is today the Dayton Art Institute was founded in 1919 as the Dayton Museum of Arts. Its letter of incorporation was signed on February 28, 1919, and some of its … [Read more...] about History of the Dayton Art Institute: From Its First Home to Today [Old Photos]
RKO Colonial Theater and DPS Buildings: Downtown Then and Now
Today we'll look at a before and after of the intersection of Fifth and Ludlow Streets looking north towards Fourth. This was a bustling commercial area in the early 20th century, and there have been some significant changes to the buildings over time, although the block … [Read more...] about RKO Colonial Theater and DPS Buildings: Downtown Then and Now
Ebenezer Thresher Home: From Main Street to Robert Boulevard
In my recent writing and video about Dayton's Old "Park Avenue" of West First Street, including the prominent early Dayton business leaders who lived in close proximity to one another, I discussed the Ebenezer Thresher homestead which was built a little earlier than … [Read more...] about Ebenezer Thresher Home: From Main Street to Robert Boulevard
The Grocery that Never Slept: Frank Hale, the Wright Brothers, and Dayton’s First Store Chain
The Wright-Dunbar neighborhood has multiple sites connected to the Wright Brothers' exploits in bicycles and then airplanes, but the Hoover Block at the SE corner of West Third and Williams is where Wilbur and Orville worked on their first business venture: printing. The … [Read more...] about The Grocery that Never Slept: Frank Hale, the Wright Brothers, and Dayton’s First Store Chain
Historic Homes of Dayton’s 1800s Prominent Citizens: Then and Now
Many of the most prominent Daytonians of the 19th century, from pioneer settlers to the founders of some of Dayton's most important businesses, were clustered in one particular area just west of the central business district at that time. The neighborhood centered on West … [Read more...] about Historic Homes of Dayton’s 1800s Prominent Citizens: Then and Now
The Historic Ulrich-Boone Home in McPherson Town
McPherson Town is a fascinating neighborhood near Downtown Dayton. It was first platted way back in 1845 but was not a popular area to settle then due to its flood-prone nature. But by the end of the 19th century, the levees had been improved and the city also built a new … [Read more...] about The Historic Ulrich-Boone Home in McPherson Town