On Courthouse Square in the center downtown Dayton, there is a very unusual space that is easy to miss. A staircase descends below street level into a sunken courtyard lined with vacant storefronts and red awnings. Unless you already know to look for it, you could walk … [Read more...] about The Lost Underground Restaurants on Courthouse Square
Courthouse Square
A Place for Peace: Inside Dayton’s International Peace Museum on Courthouse Square
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
Architecture Walking Tour and a Revamped Courthouse Square
I previously wrote about the history of Courthouse Square downtown as well as its challenges and prospects for revitalization moving forward. On May 11 I was excited to participate in a downtown event that centered on the square: the Downtown Housing Tour. As part of the … [Read more...] about Architecture Walking Tour and a Revamped Courthouse Square
Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
In my last article, I retraced the history of Dayton's Courthouse Square. Now I'll take us from its opening in 1974 to the present day, as well as reflect on possibilities for the future. The Square: From the 1970s to Today Courthouse Square has had a rocky 50 years of … [Read more...] about Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future
It houses one of the Dayton region's greatest architectural treasures. It's a vital public space in the center of downtown, linking key hubs like the Dayton Arcade and Schuster Center. But it's said to be a shell of what it once was and what it could be again, sparking … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future
History of Dayton’s Old Courthouse
The old Montgomery County courthouse is one of Dayton's (and Ohio's) finest architectural treasures. Fortunately you can find it still standing right near the center of downtown. The foundation for the courthouse was laid in 1847 and the job took three years to complete. … [Read more...] about History of Dayton’s Old Courthouse
A Short History of the Old Montgomery County Jail
The current Montgomery County Jail complex dates back to 1964, with multiple additions completed in 1993 and 2004. But in Dayton’s earlier days, its jail occupied several other locations around town, most notably next to the Old Courthouse for many years. Dayton's … [Read more...] about A Short History of the Old Montgomery County Jail