Over the past several years, as I’ve researched Dayton’s industrial history and the neighborhoods that once surrounded its factories, one theme has come up repeatedly: Appalachian migration. Between the late 1930s and 1960s, tens of thousands of people from eastern … [Read more...] about Appalachian Migration to Dayton, Ohio: Where Families Lived and Worked
Auto Industry
America’s Packard Museum: Where Dayton’s Automotive History Still Lives
Dayton, Ohio has no shortage of museums due to its history as a major center of American innovation and industry. But while visitors often gravitate to the best-known attractions like the Air Force Museum, Carillon Historical Park, and Wright Brothers sites, the city is also … [Read more...] about America’s Packard Museum: Where Dayton’s Automotive History Still Lives
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)
Building Substitution and Conversion on South Main (Barlow Motor Car, Davis Buick)
I've published several articles that take a Then and Now look at particular intersections in Dayton. Today is an interesting case in that it features the same corner at three different moments in time. And for a part of town (the southern edge of downtown) that has very … [Read more...] about Building Substitution and Conversion on South Main (Barlow Motor Car, Davis Buick)
The History of 1141 Brown Street
The nondescript but interesting building was originally part of Dayton's early transit network, the streetcar running between Dayton and Oakwood. The Oakwood Street Railway was incorporated on July 20 1870 by John H. Patterson, John W. Stoddard and others to join the two … [Read more...] about The History of 1141 Brown Street
John Williams Stoddard, Business Pioneer of Dayton
In our last article, we looked at the history of 15 Bainbridge Street aka the Dayton Motor Car Building. The founder of that automobile firm was John W. Stoddard, who made his first mark by building up a major farm implement company. This article will take a closer look at … [Read more...] about John Williams Stoddard, Business Pioneer of Dayton
Dayton Motor Car Company District: Good and Bad News
One of the sites in Lost Dayton, Ohio, the Dayton Motor Car Company Historic District, has been in the news a couple of times recently, for very different reasons. The good news is that a property in the area, 15 McDonough St (right), was recently awarded $1.8 million … [Read more...] about Dayton Motor Car Company District: Good and Bad News