In my book Lost Dayton Ohio I have a detailed chapter outlining the early history of National Cash Register (NCR): its early years taking James Ritty's invention to incredible heights; its physical footprint in Dayton and longstanding impact on the community; and ultimately … [Read more...] about The Last of NCR in Dayton: Repurposed Buildings That Still Stand
Historical Dayton
The History of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
A pair of interesting buildings on Brown Street form part of one of the more intact blocks of neighborhood commercial structures in Dayton, and also help tell the story of the surrounding area. 1922 Brown Street is a two story structure built in 1928. It was originally … [Read more...] about The History of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
Dayton’s Centre City as Multi-Building Complex
With the success of the Dayton Arcade redevelopment and phase two well underway, the project partners have turned their attention to a prominent building across the street, the Centre City Building. Model Group and Cross Street Partners plan to buy the massive downtown … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Centre City as Multi-Building Complex
The Last Old Buildings on the West Side of Downtown
Many areas in Dayton were radically transformed by urban renewal. In my book Lost Dayton, I talk about the former Haymarket neighborhood between Oregon and St. Anne's Hill. Then there is the multi-block area downtown that was leveled for the Convention Center, hotel, and … [Read more...] about The Last Old Buildings on the West Side of Downtown
History of H. Gerstner & Sons, World-Renowned Tool Chest Maker
When thinking about business in downtown Dayton, you may picture legal and financial services, upstart tech firms, and perhaps all the jobs at the big players in healthcare and education. But there are a wide variety of companies both large and small that have been … [Read more...] about History of H. Gerstner & Sons, World-Renowned Tool Chest Maker
Dayton and Its Apotheosis: The Making and Re-Making of an American City
Editor's note: The following article by James Steeber is the first installment in a series of reflections about downtown Dayton Recently, a posting to Facebook of a 1974 color photograph of the new Homestead Federal Building in Downtown Dayton (2nd & Jefferson), … [Read more...] about Dayton and Its Apotheosis: The Making and Re-Making of an American City
History of a Dayton Church Tucked Away (Sadly Demolished)
IMAGE Update 8/2024: Sadly the First Christian Science Church is no more. In early July, a Dayton Daily News article reported that the city had issued demolition and residential permits for the former church site. As for its ownership, the property sold back in April in a … [Read more...] about History of a Dayton Church Tucked Away (Sadly Demolished)
History of the Ohmer Garage Building
Ohmer was a prominent name in Dayton's early commercial history. Michael Ohmer initially arrived in Dayton in 1837 and as the city grew in the subsequent decades, so did his reputation as a business leader. For decades Ohmer operated a successful furniture business … [Read more...] about History of the Ohmer Garage Building
History of the Soon-to-be-Redeveloped Journal Herald Building
The Journal Herald Building at 111-1119 East Fourth Street has a fascinating history and will soon see new life. The Windsor Companies, which has already brought new apartments and retail to historic buildings nearby on East Third Street, recently won state historic tax … [Read more...] about History of the Soon-to-be-Redeveloped Journal Herald Building
Then and Now: Canal Buildings in Webster Station
The trio of buildings pictured here once faced the historic Miami and Erie Canal in between First and Second Streets downtown. Today, two of the three structures still stand and now front Patterson Boulevard. The building in the middle is the one that is no longer … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Canal Buildings in Webster Station