Xenia Ave in the Twin Towers neighborhood of Dayton is a once-bustling commercial strip that today suffers from a quite a bit of vacancy and neglect. But despite the challenges, several area organizations remain positive forces and some great historic buildings still stand, although few give many hints as to their previous lives.
The former fire station at 401 Xenia Ave, built in 1884, does retain several indicators of its former identity. The number 7 visible on the façade stands for the Company #7 Fire House (alternatively referred to as the Hose Company #7), which occupied the building until 1956. This building is the oldest remaining firehouse in Dayton. The design came from architects Peters & Burns and the contractor was Beaver & Butt, a duo which also combined to erect the Kuhns Building downtown around the same time (Barrett).
Daniel Larkin was the first fire chief, and he came up with a new less expensive hose wagon that would eventually be adopted by all other Dayton firehouses. This location was also one of the earliest to use the iconic sliding pole.
After the fire station closed, the building was eventually renovated and for a while housed the specialty florist Avant Gardens. Owners Diane Brun and Jay Allyn earned a Neighborhood Beautification Award and a Preservation Award from the Montgomery County Historical Society in 1995 for their renovation (Who We Are).
The building’s current status is not completely known to this author, although it was being used as a meeting hall or event space as recently as 2017 and that likely is still the case. Do any readers know?
Interestingly, the name and perhaps some of the spirit of the firehouse live on a distance away at the popular Company 7 BBQ restaurant in Englewood, founded by a family of firefighters who conducted research to create an ambience evoking an old firehouse. Maybe they could open a second location here in the original Company #7 house?
Sources
“Who We Are: Twin Towers.” Montgomery County Historical Society.
Barrett, Jim. Old Firehouses of Dayton, Ohio. Pinterest
It’s a private residence now. The current owners have an affinity for old Dayton firehouses. They even have the plaque from the Montgomery County Historical Society.
For anyone interested in the fire service…
There is a great story on Dayton History Books Online titled, “THE DAYTON FIRE DEPARTMENT” by Charles F. Sullivan. It details the early growth of early Dayton, and the placement of the early fire houses, including number 7, even before there was a Dayton Fire Department.
Thanks for sharing that Darrell! So much amazing historical sources on the DHBO site.