I've previously written a history of the Miami and Erie canal in Dayton that included a then and now photo of an 1899 celebration that included two elephants bathing in the canal. In that post I used a visible business and map to determine where that location is … [Read more...] about Canal at 2nd Street Then and Now
Historical Dayton
History of the Deeds Barn, Site of the Invention of the Electric Self-Starter
We might not normally think of barns as hotbeds for innovation, but in Dayton we have one with major significance to the world of manufacturing. Built in 1904, the Deeds Barn was originally located at 319 Central Ave in Dayton View behind the house of Edward and Edith … [Read more...] about History of the Deeds Barn, Site of the Invention of the Electric Self-Starter
History of 2200 East Fifth St
A Dayton Vistas reader recently wrote in with a question about the history of the building at 2200 East Fifth St located across Columbus St from the old Carnegie Library which is currently the home of St. Mary Development Corporation. I've covered a few other corner … [Read more...] about History of 2200 East Fifth St
History of the Reibold Building (in 3 Phases)
The title of Dayton's first skyscraper is not universally agreed upon (many give the nod to the 1892 7-story Callahan Building, since demolished) but the Reibold Building is definitely in the conversation. This structure was built in 3 sections, with the first opening in … [Read more...] about History of the Reibold Building (in 3 Phases)
History of the Conover Building
Image credit The Conover Building can be found at the SE corner of Third and Main Streets right in the middle of downtown. An eclectic Renaissance Revival style structure, it was designed by architect Frank Mills Andrews, who gave himself an office under an art glass … [Read more...] about History of the Conover Building
History of the Dayton Turngemeinde (Turners, Liederkranz-Turner) German Club
When I write a history article like this, I typically start by choosing the subject because I have some reason for wanting to delve into a particular organization or company. For this one, however, I simply stumbled upon the following image and was so intrigued by the … [Read more...] about History of the Dayton Turngemeinde (Turners, Liederkranz-Turner) German Club
Then and Now of 5th and Main, Downtown Dayton
Today we'll be looking at some Then and Now images of the intersection of East Fifth and Main St downtown. These views have been changed greatly by urban renewal in the years since (as has been the case for most of our previous Then and Now articles like 3rd and … [Read more...] about Then and Now of 5th and Main, Downtown Dayton
History of The Ark Restaurant on West 3rd St
Featuring Research By Sue Montesano I've previously written about the commercial district on West Third Street in Wright-Dunbar, and one of the most interesting structures there is the 3-story Enterprise Building built in 1890 and originally home to the Pekin … [Read more...] about History of The Ark Restaurant on West 3rd St
History of Frigidaire (and GM) in Dayton: Downtown, Moraine, and More
Among Dayton's major industrial powers of the late 19th and early 20th century, there are many interconnections. Delco, for one, has strong ties to NCR due to its formation by Edward Deeds and Charles Kettering who tinkered in their spare time while working at the cash … [Read more...] about History of Frigidaire (and GM) in Dayton: Downtown, Moraine, and More
The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District
The old firehouse currently home to Jimmy's Ladder 11 restaurant on Brown Street is a beautiful but isolated survivor of what was once a thriving neighborhood business district. One of its most significant neighbors was an old theater located at 924 Brown Street. Built … [Read more...] about The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District