Editor's note: I’ve written quite a bit about Courthouse Square and its history, challenges, and future as a central gathering place. One thing that can get overlooked in those conversations is the role of the institutions already in and around space today. This guest … [Read more...] about A Place for Peace: Inside Dayton’s International Peace Museum on Courthouse Square
New Developments
5 Dayton Redevelopment Projects to Watch in 2026: Housing, Office, Retail, and Historic Preservation
Downtown Dayton and its historic neighborhoods are taking some significant steps forward. In the first episode of my new Dayton Vistas Podcast, I take a closer look at five redevelopment projects to watch in 2026, spanning major adaptive reuse efforts downtown as well as … [Read more...] about 5 Dayton Redevelopment Projects to Watch in 2026: Housing, Office, Retail, and Historic Preservation
Belle of Dayton: A Distillery with a Prohibition-Era Connection
Located at the edge of Dayton's Oregon District, the Belle of Dayton distillery has a fascinating history not only for its location, which has housed a wide range of tenants over the years, but also for the story of the Belle of Dayton brand which takes us all the way back … [Read more...] about Belle of Dayton: A Distillery with a Prohibition-Era Connection
The History and Architecture of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
A pair of interesting buildings on Brown Street forms part of one of the more intact blocks of neighborhood commercial structures in Dayton, and also help tell the story of the surrounding area. Recently these buildings were sold, and online posts have advertised the … [Read more...] about The History and Architecture of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
New Indie Bookstore Open in Historic Building on East Third in Huffman
There's a new bookstore on East Third Street in the Huffman neighborhood. The Cozy Book Nook, a shop focused on indie authors, has recently opened at 1400 East Third Street after relocating from a smaller space on South Dixie in Moraine. Husband and wife team Tony and … [Read more...] about New Indie Bookstore Open in Historic Building on East Third in Huffman
Fidelity Building and Paru Tower: History and What’s Happening Now?
Original article posted 11/27/2024 It's been over five years since I wrote an article about what major downtown site could be next after the Dayton Arcade redevelopment had officially gotten underway. Today, of course, the Arcade's first phase has been a success and … [Read more...] about Fidelity Building and Paru Tower: History and What’s Happening Now?
Hawthorne School: History of an 1886 Dayton School Converted to Condos
McPherson Town is a Dayton neighborhood just a short walk from downtown that is known for its beautiful stock of historic homes. There's also one prominent building in the area that is residential today but was constructed for a different purpose. That is the … [Read more...] about Hawthorne School: History of an 1886 Dayton School Converted to Condos
Belmont Billiards: Dayton’s Oldest Pool Hall Marks 100 Years
Last week I took a quick trip to Dayton's Belmont neighborhood to visit a business located near the intersection of Watervliet and Smithville. This may not be at the top of your list when thinking of historic spots in the city, but my destination was celebrating its 100th … [Read more...] about Belmont Billiards: Dayton’s Oldest Pool Hall Marks 100 Years
From NCR and James Cox to the Hotel Ardent: a History of the Barclay (Harries) Building
In February 2025, a new boutique hotel became part of the renaissance of Downtown Dayton. The 118-room Hotel Ardent is located in the historic Barclay Building at Main and First Streets, a site that has a fascinating story involving some big names from Dayton's past, and … [Read more...] about From NCR and James Cox to the Hotel Ardent: a History of the Barclay (Harries) Building
New Housing for West Dayton’s Wolf Creek Neighborhood
Dayton's Wolf Creek neighborhood, just across the river from downtown, has historically suffered from disinvestment and a large share of its housing stock was recently found to be in a dilapidated state. But a variety of new projects are bringing new housing options to … [Read more...] about New Housing for West Dayton’s Wolf Creek Neighborhood