While doing Dayton history research I often stumble upon interesting references and images that lead me to take on completely new topics. In this case I was researching the Gibbons Building in the Dayton Arcade and an article happened to reference a banker who worked there. … [Read more...] about History of 1731 Philadelphia, “Home Beautiful” in Upper Dayton View
Historical Dayton
Award-Winning Architecture at the Corner of Keowee and Webster
When you think of award-winning architecture in Dayton, it's unlikely you'd picture the intersection of Keowee and Webster Streets. But among the auto service shops and empty land that occupy the majority of the area, we find one really interesting building. The light … [Read more...] about Award-Winning Architecture at the Corner of Keowee and Webster
Midtown Survivors at Washington and Longworth
Overall there is not a whole lot that remains intact in the "Midtown" area of Dayton located immediately south of the Central Business District. The immense footprint of US-35 hollowed out much of the neighborhood and the commercial buildings on Main, Warren and other … [Read more...] about Midtown Survivors at Washington and Longworth
Urban Renewal and Lost Buildings at Main and 3rd
Recently I wrote about the lost East Second Street historic district (today the Premier Health Tower). For today's post we'll shift south one block to see how the entire east side of Main and the north side of Third have also been lost to demolition over the years, not at … [Read more...] about Urban Renewal and Lost Buildings at Main and 3rd
Lesser-Known Historic Buildings of the University of Dayton
I've written about the oldest buildings remaining on the historic University of Dayton campus, but that article focused primarily on the more well-known structures. There are a few others dating to the late 19th and early 20th century that don't typically get as much … [Read more...] about Lesser-Known Historic Buildings of the University of Dayton
Masonic Temple (Dayton Masonic Center) History
I recently wrote about the former Oddfellows Hall downtown, but there's another fraternal organization in the area with a much larger membership, the Freemasons. And compared to Oddfellows temple that is unrecognizable from what it once was, Dayton's Masonic Temple (now … [Read more...] about Masonic Temple (Dayton Masonic Center) History
The Commercial Building: Before and During Construction
In my posts on the Dayton Arcade I've written about the Commercial Building, the 10-story structure designed by Albert Pretzinger for Adam Schantz Jr. which anchors the southern edge of the complex at the NE corner of 4th and Ludlow. It connects to the adjacent Ludlow … [Read more...] about The Commercial Building: Before and During Construction
Historic Buildings on the University of Dayton Campus
Originally published 4/29/2020; updated 3/27/2025 with info on demolition of Chaminade Hall (at bottom of article) Our last article looked at the history of the University of Dayton. Today we'll explore some of the old buildings on campus that are still standing. Zehler Hall … [Read more...] about Historic Buildings on the University of Dayton Campus
Lost Commercial Buildings at Main and Franklin (Genuine Auto Parts)
In a recent article I showed a Then and Now of South Main and Franklin where a 1920s auto building has been transformed into a medical facility. On the other side of Franklin at the SW corner of the intersection, unfortunately, we have a different story with a great block … [Read more...] about Lost Commercial Buildings at Main and Franklin (Genuine Auto Parts)
Odd Fellows (IOOF) Building History in Dayton
The building at the SW corner of Third and Jefferson Streets looks very ordinary today but is actually an old landmark that is unrecognizable from what it once was. It was originally a 4-story Gothic Revival stone structure built circa 1870 as a temple for the … [Read more...] about Odd Fellows (IOOF) Building History in Dayton