Original article posted March 9, 2018
The recently announced preliminary development plan for the former Montgomery County Fairgrounds site has excited many due to its walkable design, sustainability, and potential to connect to adjacent areas.
Granted, the plans are still in the very early stages, but one element is unlikely to change: the central role of the historic roundhouse (pictured above). Part of the terms of the sale of the fairgrounds to the University of Dayton and Premier Health was to preserve the structure.
The roundhouse, also referred to as the Octagon Building and the Exhibition Building, dates back to 1874, the same year the Fair Association was officially formed. (This wasn’t the first fair at the fairgrounds location, however, as that took place in 1856. And the first fair anywhere in Dayton was in 1839 at Swaynie’s wagon yard on East First and Race St).
For the roundhouse’s first exhibition it showcased “household appliances, including heating and cooking stoves and grates, furniture, pianos and organs, sewing machines and jewelry.”
In more recent years, it has hosted a variety of parties and special events, and the roundhouse was also the longtime home of the A.B. Hallum furniture store when it wasn’t fair season.
Historic image credit Dayton Metro Library
Update: January 9, 2025
Current Status and Plans for Roundhouse, Old Fairgrounds Redevelopment
Since I originally wrote this article in 2018, there hasn’t been much in terms of visible progress but there have been several major announcements about future plans as stakeholders aim their sights even higher.
In October 2023 the City of Dayton declared the 38-acre site to be blighted, which allows for more potential funding sources and makes it eligible for tax increment financing.
In August 2024 Governor Mike Dewine announced that Dayton and the fairgrounds site was selected for the state’s second Innovation Hub, to “bring together government, academia, and private sector industry partners” in order to “create digital technology that will drive advancements in aviation and national defense.”
The news release even referenced the “groundbreaking achievements of the Wright Brothers” and stated there would be $35 million in state funding from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, a local match of at least $23 million, and private sector funding of up to $37 million.
In October 2024, the City of Dayton approved $4 million in bonds for infrastructure improvements on the site.
The latest update in December 2024 said that the first phase “will focus on the southern strip of the 38-acre site along South Main Street, (and) is expected to create 170 rental housing units and a large building for research and innovation.” Work should begin in 2025.
Update 3/19/25
Roundhouse Renovation Underway; When Will Rest of OnMain Development Start?
After some uncertainty as to when the massive OnMain development would shift from the planning and fundraising phase to actual visible progress, there was some good news this past week.
Renovation work began “to repair and paint the Roundhouse building’s exterior wood facade, including its sheathing, battens and trim.”
The Roundhouse will also be given new windows and doors that match the originals, and the whole job will total $1.2 million, most coming from federal money from a previous appropriation bill due to the efforts of US Representative Mike Turner.
That project is expected to be complete by late summer, but there is much more to look forward to as well.
There will be more visible activity in the next few months “when roadways, utilities, sidewalks and parks are installed.” The City of Dayton has granted spending $5.8 million to help with infrastructure work on the site, including roads, sidewalks, utilities and parks. That work “is expected to begin in late spring or early summer and could take 18 to 24 months to complete.”
You can visit the OnMain website for more information on the vision and progress of the project.
I have a great story to share about my late grandparents winning a car at the fair in 1936. There is a beautiful picture of my grandmother in front of the car. My uncle who is 96 submitted it to Reminisce magazine and I will try to find my issue and send you a photocopy of the article.
I write you to find out the latest news about the fate of Roundhouse and will it remain standing. The area played a role in my Brookville, Ohio family history in the 1930;’s and I hope that the Roundhouse will not be demolished. I never got to know Dayton as an adult as I started college in 1972 and move to Georgia in 1979. I hope the Roundhouse can be incorporated into plans for the property. History is so important to preserve.
The Roundhouse still stands in Dayton. It look to be on good condition and is fenced off. I was looking for more information and came across this post, so wanted to give you an update.
Nicole, thanks for confirming that and I appreciate you sharing that memory Teresa!
There have been a lot of grand plans shared for the larger site and a lot of money committed, but I think there’s still a ways to go before anything actually happens. I do think that the Roundhouse will continue to be preserved but since the first phase appears to target the Main and Stewart intersection, it will probably be many years before it reaches it. Hopefully they invest sufficiently in keeping it maintained.
I also updated the article with major news of the last few years.
68-72 worked part time for ABHLlum. I worked in the round house n fine arts bldg. moving furn. _and selling some.
I knew bunch Of Chaminade Friends mostly from The East End. That worked there too.
He was a trip. I’ll tell you. !